The island of Ireland is located in the North Atlantic and is the third largest island in Europe. It has an area of 32,595 square miles (84,421 square kilometres) which ranks 122nd in the world in terms of size. The population is just over 5 million.
Driving Bans
There are no weekend or public holiday driving bans as such in Ireland.
Abnormal Road Movements
An abnormal load must adhere to the maximum weight limits set down by Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, S.I. 5 of 2003 and the maximum height limit set down in Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, S.I.366 of 2008.
This “Permit for Specialised Vehicles” form when signed by the Garda Síochána Permits Officer grants permission to move abnormal loads as defined under the above Regulations, on inter-urban routes specified in the Schedule of Designated Roads. Any deviations from the Schedule of Designated Roads in above Regulations require independent authorisation from the Local Authority concerned and/or the Minister for Transport. Please refer to www.rsa.ie for further information.
For information that is more comprehensive regarding abnormal loads, please visit:
https://www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/abnormal-loads/
All abnormal load operators will require a keeper’s certificate to prove ownership of the trailer, which must be carried as part of the vehicle documents at all times.
EU Directive – Within the European Union (EC), the Council Directive 96/53/EC gives information about the permissible dimensions and weights for road vehicles in international traffic. Vehicle combinations (trucks with ordinary trailers or semi-trailers) which comply with the criteria specified here may travel on roads within the EU without a special permit. The size and weight limits set by the Council Directive are summarised in the tables at the link here
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
The Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) was done at Geneva on 30 September 1957 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and it entered into force on 29 January 1968. The Agreement itself was amended by the Protocol amending article 14 (3) done at New York on 21 August 1975, which entered into force on 19 April 1985.
The Agreement itself is short and simple. The key article is the second, which say that apart from some excessively dangerous goods, other dangerous goods may be carried internationally in road vehicles subject to compliance with:
For information pertaining to ADR in Ireland, please download either or both items below:
If you are shipping dangerous goods, you must also complete a dangerous goods declaration. See guidance on moving dangerous goods
Heavy Goods Vehicles Road Tolls
The National Roads Authority (NRA) will give plenty of useful information regarding the road infrastructure in Ireland as well as the road toll system. Currently the following roads affected are listed below, click on each road link for toll charges:
Bridge and Tunnel Tolls
The following are toll tunnels and bridges:
For further information and toll charges on all Road, Tunnel and bridge tolls, please visit – https://www.tii.ie/roads-tolling/tolling-information/toll-locations-and-charges/
Weekend and public holiday Driving Bans
There are no general weekend or public holiday driving bans as such in Ireland.
Driver & Vehicle Documentation
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Permits
Check which international road haulage permits you need.
Check which international road haulage permits you need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Find out how to apply for bilateral international road haulage permits and the rules you have to follow at the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-permits-for-some-non-eu-countries
To find out more about ECMT Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits
To find out more about ECMT International Removal Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-removal-permits
Speed Limits for HGV’s over 3.5t
The following speed limits are applicable to HGVs:
Speeding fines in Ireland are currently set at a flat rate of €80 regardless of the speed at which offenders are caught, or the road on which they are driving.
Drink Driving
The legal limit is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, for professional drivers, penalties for driving under the influence are strict.
Other Items Required
In addition to required documents, drivers are also recommended to carry the following items when driving:
Seat belts
If seat belts are fitted, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers. The driver has a responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 17 are suitably restrained in the car.
The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set at €60, increasing to €90 if you do not pay within 28 days.
In an emergency
112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you are visiting. Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.
Low Emission Zones
Ireland has one Access Regulation in place, a restriction on heavy goods vehicles with over 5 axles in Dublin.
Transport Organisation
Suite 6 Gowna Plaza
Bracetown Business Park
Clonee Co. Meath
D15 VY77
Tel: +353 (0)1 801 3380
Web: http://www.irha.ie/
British Embassy
29 Merrion Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
Telephone: +353 (1) 205 3700
