Ireland DTT Car cheat sheet

Drive on the left. On a two-way road without markings, keep left and overtake on the right, except when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn or is stationary waiting to turn right.

Speed limits (km/h): 30 in built-up areas where a 30 km/h Special Speed Limit applies, 50 in built-up areas generally, 80 on regional and local roads, 100 on national roads, and 120 on motorways. Signs always override default limits.

Learner permit holders must display L plates front and rear, must be accompanied by a qualified driver holding a full licence for at least two years, and may not drive on a motorway.

A motorway is the only road type where a learner may not drive; it also excludes pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and vehicles incapable of 50 km/h.

Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance. At 50 km/h overall stopping distance is about 23 m; at 100 km/h it is about 70 m in dry conditions.

At a box junction (yellow cross-hatching) you may enter only if your exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Traffic lights: flashing amber means proceed if the way is clear, yielding to pedestrians crossing. A green light does not give an absolute right of way.

Roundabouts: yield to traffic already on the roundabout, which comes from your right in Ireland (traffic circulates clockwise). Signal left to exit, right to take a later exit.

Sign shape encodes meaning: red-bordered circles are prohibitions or restrictions, blue circles are mandatory instructions, triangles with red borders are warnings, rectangles are information or direction signs.

Octagonal red STOP sign requires a complete stop at the stop line. Inverted triangle YIELD/GIVE WAY means slow down and yield; you need not stop if the way is clear.

Continuous white centre line: do not cross it. Broken white line: may cross if safe. A continuous line on your side with a broken line on the far side means only the far-side traffic may cross.

Double yellow lines along the kerb mean no parking at any time. Single yellow lines mean no parking during the times shown on the accompanying plate.

A broken yellow line along the kerb marks a clearway restriction; check the sign for the applicable times.

Traffic calming and hazard markings: transverse rumble strips warn of a hazard ahead; yellow zig-zag markings outside schools prohibit parking and overtaking.

Motorway signs are blue with white lettering. National road signs are green. Regional and local road signs are white with black lettering. Tourist signs are brown.

A yellow diamond sign indicates a priority road. The 'no through road' sign shows a red bar across a T. Speed limit signs are white circles with red borders and black numerals.

Minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference; tyres must be correctly inflated and free of cuts or bulges.

NCT (National Car Test) is required for cars over 4 years old, then every 2 years until 10 years, and annually after that. Driving without a valid certificate is an offence.

Legal minimum insurance is third party, fire and theft; third party only is the statutory minimum. A valid certificate of insurance must be carried or produced.

Lighting: headlights must be used at night and in reduced visibility. Front fog lights may only be used in fog or falling snow; rear fog lights only when visibility drops below 50 m.

Brakes, steering, suspension, lights, and wipers must be in good working order. A vehicle must not be used if a defect makes it a danger to others.

Coolant and oil levels should be checked when the engine is cold. Tyre pressures should be checked cold against the manufacturer's figures, including the spare.

Loads must be secured and must not project dangerously. A load projecting more than 1 m to the rear must be marked; at night, a red reflector or light is required.

Seat belts and head restraints must be fitted and used. Children under 12 or under 150 cm must use an appropriate child restraint, with limited exceptions.

The legal alcohol limit for experienced drivers is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (22 µg/100 ml breath). For learner, novice (first two years) and professional drivers it is 20 mg/100 ml blood (9 µg/100 ml breath).

Penalty points: most offences attract 2-5 points; a lower limit drink-driving offence attracts 3 points and a fine. Accumulating 12 points in three years leads to disqualification (7 for learners and novices).

Use the four-second rule in dry conditions: stay at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Double the gap in wet weather and increase it further in ice or fog.

Mobile phone use while driving is an offence unless using a hands-free kit; even hands-free use is a distraction and should be avoided.

Fatigue: the only remedy is to stop, drink caffeine, and take a short nap. Opening a window or turning up the radio does not restore alertness.

At a pedestrian crossing, yield to pedestrians on or about to enter the crossing. Never overtake a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing.

In fog, use dipped headlights and front fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance. Do not use full beam, which reflects back off the fog.

Eco-driving: smooth acceleration, early gear changes, maintaining momentum, and correct tyre pressure reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Emergency vehicles with blue lights and sirens: slow down, move to the left if safe, and do not break the law or block junctions to let them pass.

Drive on the left. On a two-way road without markings, keep left and overtake on the right, except when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn or is stationary waiting to turn right.

Speed limits (km/h): 30 in built-up areas where a 30 km/h Special Speed Limit applies, 50 in built-up areas generally, 80 on regional and local roads, 100 on national roads, and 120 on motorways. Signs always override default limits.

Learner permit holders must display L plates front and rear, must be accompanied by a qualified driver holding a full licence for at least two years, and may not drive on a motorway.

A motorway is the only road type where a learner may not drive; it also excludes pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and vehicles incapable of 50 km/h.

Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance. At 50 km/h overall stopping distance is about 23 m; at 100 km/h it is about 70 m in dry conditions.

At a box junction (yellow cross-hatching) you may enter only if your exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Traffic lights: flashing amber means proceed if the way is clear, yielding to pedestrians crossing. A green light does not give an absolute right of way.

Roundabouts: yield to traffic already on the roundabout, which comes from your right in Ireland (traffic circulates clockwise). Signal left to exit, right to take a later exit.

Sign shape encodes meaning: red-bordered circles are prohibitions or restrictions, blue circles are mandatory instructions, triangles with red borders are warnings, rectangles are information or direction signs.

Octagonal red STOP sign requires a complete stop at the stop line. Inverted triangle YIELD/GIVE WAY means slow down and yield; you need not stop if the way is clear.

Continuous white centre line: do not cross it. Broken white line: may cross if safe. A continuous line on your side with a broken line on the far side means only the far-side traffic may cross.

Double yellow lines along the kerb mean no parking at any time. Single yellow lines mean no parking during the times shown on the accompanying plate.

A broken yellow line along the kerb marks a clearway restriction; check the sign for the applicable times.

Traffic calming and hazard markings: transverse rumble strips warn of a hazard ahead; yellow zig-zag markings outside schools prohibit parking and overtaking.

Motorway signs are blue with white lettering. National road signs are green. Regional and local road signs are white with black lettering. Tourist signs are brown.

A yellow diamond sign indicates a priority road. The 'no through road' sign shows a red bar across a T. Speed limit signs are white circles with red borders and black numerals.

Minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference; tyres must be correctly inflated and free of cuts or bulges.

NCT (National Car Test) is required for cars over 4 years old, then every 2 years until 10 years, and annually after that. Driving without a valid certificate is an offence.

Legal minimum insurance is third party, fire and theft; third party only is the statutory minimum. A valid certificate of insurance must be carried or produced.

Lighting: headlights must be used at night and in reduced visibility. Front fog lights may only be used in fog or falling snow; rear fog lights only when visibility drops below 50 m.

Brakes, steering, suspension, lights, and wipers must be in good working order. A vehicle must not be used if a defect makes it a danger to others.

Coolant and oil levels should be checked when the engine is cold. Tyre pressures should be checked cold against the manufacturer's figures, including the spare.

Loads must be secured and must not project dangerously. A load projecting more than 1 m to the rear must be marked; at night, a red reflector or light is required.

Seat belts and head restraints must be fitted and used. Children under 12 or under 150 cm must use an appropriate child restraint, with limited exceptions.

The legal alcohol limit for experienced drivers is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (22 µg/100 ml breath). For learner, novice (first two years) and professional drivers it is 20 mg/100 ml blood (9 µg/100 ml breath).

Penalty points: most offences attract 2-5 points; a lower limit drink-driving offence attracts 3 points and a fine. Accumulating 12 points in three years leads to disqualification (7 for learners and novices).

Use the four-second rule in dry conditions: stay at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Double the gap in wet weather and increase it further in ice or fog.

Mobile phone use while driving is an offence unless using a hands-free kit; even hands-free use is a distraction and should be avoided.

Fatigue: the only remedy is to stop, drink caffeine, and take a short nap. Opening a window or turning up the radio does not restore alertness.

At a pedestrian crossing, yield to pedestrians on or about to enter the crossing. Never overtake a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing.

In fog, use dipped headlights and front fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance. Do not use full beam, which reflects back off the fog.

Eco-driving: smooth acceleration, early gear changes, maintaining momentum, and correct tyre pressure reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Emergency vehicles with blue lights and sirens: slow down, move to the left if safe, and do not break the law or block junctions to let them pass.