IrelandvsUnited Kingdom
Ireland and United Kingdom share a land border — here's how their driving rules differ, side by side.
VERIFIED 2026-07-29 & 2026-07-29 · METHODOLOGY| RULE | Ireland | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Driving side | Drives on the left | Drives on the left |
| Urban speed limit | 50 km/h | 48 km/h |
| Rural speed limit | 80 km/h | 97 km/h |
| Motorway speed limit | 120 km/h | 113 km/h |
| Alcohol limit (general) | 0.5‰ | 0.8‰ |
| Alcohol limit (novice) | 0.2‰ | Same as general |
| Mandatory equipment | None legally mandatory for private cars — a warning triangle and hi-vis vest are recommended but not required | None legally mandatory for private cars — a warning triangle, first-aid kit, and hi-vis vest are recommended but not required |
| Tolls | Toll booths | Mixed tolls |
| Headlights | Not generally mandatory in daylight; dipped headlights required from dusk to dawn and in poor visibility. | Not generally mandatory in daylight; dipped headlights are required from dusk to dawn and in poor daytime visibility. |
| Winter tires / chains | No legal requirement for winter tires or chains — rarely needed given the mild climate, though conditions can turn icy on higher or rural roads in winter. | No legal requirement for winter tires or chains anywhere in the UK, even in Scotland's more mountainous areas — carry them at your own discretion if traveling in winter through remote or high-altitude routes. |
| Low-emission / restricted zones | No nationwide low-emission zone network currently in place. | London has a Congestion Charge zone and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covering nearly the whole city; several other UK cities (e.g. Birmingham, Bristol, Bath) run their own Clean Air Zones — non-compliant vehicles pay a daily charge, checked by camera. |
| Child seats | Children under 150 cm or 36 kg (whichever comes first) must generally use an approved child restraint. | Children must generally use an appropriate child car seat until they are 135 cm tall or turn 12, whichever comes first; a seatbelt is sufficient after that. |
| Mobile phone use | Hands-free only; holding a phone while driving is prohibited. | Hands-free only; holding or otherwise using a phone while driving (including at a red light) is prohibited, with a fixed penalty and licence points. |
| Currency | EUR | GBP |
| Emergency number | 112 | 999 |