Driving In Ireland

	QUICK TIPS : General | Road Signs | Roundabouts | Safety | Road Markings | Distance Calculator

In Ireland most cars are equipped with a Manual Transmission (Stick Shift). Automatic cars are available but are generally more expensive to rent. (You can specify which transmission you would prefer when making a quotation).
If you are visiting us from the UK then many of our road signs, speed limits, road markings and roundabouts will be familiar to you. If you are visiting us from continental Europe or the USA then it may take you a little while to get used to our road layouts and driving on the "other" side of the road. Irish Car Rentals supply an excellent Road Map with each of their rental cars which will help you navigate your way around our many wonderful towns, villages and visitor attractions.

On these pages we have detailed a quick guide for you to help you get acquainted before you arrive, please use the quick links above or scroll down the page for more information.

Safety is our priority - please make it your priority also.
Irish Car Rentals will make every effort to assist you in having a pleasant and safe driving experience. It is our priority to provide safe road worthy vehicles for your stay in Ireland. We ask all our clients to drive carefully on our roads which are very often narrow. The number of cars has increased on Irish roads in the last few years and it is now more important than ever that all drivers abide by the rules of the road and take great care when driving.

Drivers License Requirements
All drivers must be in possession of a full-unendorsed driver's license at the time of rental. (Certain minor endorsements may be acceptable, please call us prior to booking). All drivers must have held a full driver's license for at least 12 months prior to hiring a car with Irish Car Rentals and must present themselves with their full-unendorsed driver's license at the pick up location at the time of rental. Drivers under 25 must have held their full license for at least 24 months prior to the date of pick up.

Holders of US, Canadian, Australian and All EU member states are NOT required to supply an International Driving License (IDL). An International Driving License (IDL) is required if your national driver's license is not in Roman script. International driver's licenses MUST BE accompanied by the original domestic license of the driver. (This is clearly stated on the international license).

Age Requirements - Restrictions.
Drivers under 25 must have held their full license for at least 24 months prior to the date of pick up. The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21 years (maximum 75). Drivers under 25, i.e. drivers aged 21,22, 23 or 24 are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day and drivers 70 or over are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day. All drivers under 25 and over 70 are liable for the first 1,500 Euro of damage to the car (excess). The surcharge is paid when collecting the car and is not included in the quoted price.

The minimum age to be a named driver in a minivan, minibus or luxury car rental is 25 years.
The maximum age to be a named driver in a minivan, minibus or luxury car rental is 70 years.

Additional named drivers
Additional drivers can be added locally for an additional EURO 7.75 per day per driver. The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21 years (maximum 75) and drivers under 25 must have held a full driver's licence for at least 24 months prior to hiring a car. Drivers under 25, i.e. drivers aged 21,22, 23 or 24 are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day and drivers 70 or over are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day. All drivers under 25 and over 70 are liable for the first 1,500 Euro of damage to the car (excess). The surcharge is paid when collecting the car and is not included in the quoted price.

The minimum age to be a named driver in a minivan, minibus or luxury car rental is 25 years.
The maximum age to be a named driver in a minivan, minibus or luxury car rental is 70 years.

Car Insurance in Ireland
Car Insurance in Ireland is Compulsory and all drivers need to have a minimum of Third Party Liability Insurance to drive a vehicle here. If you are visiting Ireland and bringing your car please check with your Insurance company that you are covered to drive here.

Irish Car Rentals provide you with all the compulsory Insurance's included in your car rental quotation. You will be covered for:

All Irish Car Rentals Internet Quotations are "Drive Away Prices" and include all of the compulsory insurances (CDW insurance, Theft Protection and Third Party Insurance) and taxes (unless you specifically choose a rate exclusive of CDW insurance and Theft by choosing to "Waive CDW").

CDW Insurance. (Collision Damage Waiver)
Collision Damage Insurance covers damage to the rental car and limits the liability for damages to a vehicle whilst on hire. Irish Car Rentals include this insurance in the quoted rate (unless you specifically choose a rate exclusive of CDW insurance and Theft).
However - In case of an accident resulting in damage to a rental vehicle the Customer is liable for the first EUR 900 of damage to the rental car. This liability of EUR 900 can be reduced to EUR 100 at an additional charge of EUR 9.95 per day. The excess on luxury cars, minivans and minibuses is EUR 1500 and can be reduced to EUR 100 for an additional charge of EUR 15.00 per day. These charges are collected at the point of collection by the rental agent.

Car Theft Protection. (Theft Loss Insurance)
This is included in your car rental quotation (unless you specifically choose a rate exclusive of CDW insurance and Theft) and covers the value of the car if it is stolen while in possession of the renter. The hirer is responsible for the excess insurance charges for the vehicle. Customers are liable for the first EUR 750 of damage to the rental car.
Excess liability of EUR 750 can be reduced to EUR100 at a charge of EUR 9.50 per day.
The excess on luxury cars, minivans and minibuses is EUR 1200 and can be reduced to EUR 100 for an additional charge of EUR 14.50 per day.

Third Party Liability Insurance
Third party liability insurance is included in the quoted price. This insurance covers damage to people or property whilst the vehicle is under the care of the renter. It is compulsory to have minimum Third party Liability Insurance to drive in Ireland

Master Card & Canadian VISA card Auto rental insurance - CDW waiver
MasterCard Auto Rental Insurance and Canadian Visa Card Auto rental Insurance may allow you to waive the cost of Theft Protection and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for rental cars in some countries. This coverage is ONLY available with Gold or Platinum MasterCard's issued by US bank's and some Canadian Visa card programs. If you pay for the full rental with your eligible MasterCard card or Canadian Visa Card you may be covered for up to $50,000 Auto rental Insurance for your rental without excess. This insurance covers the rental vehicle.

This is an insurance program, certain restrictions and exclusions apply. In order to establish if your MasterCard or Canadian Visa includes Auto Rental Insurance in the Republic of Ireland please call your credit card issuer and/or MasterCard/Canadian Visa before making your reservation. This coverage is a service provided by MasterCard/VISA Canada to the cardholder and therefore it is the card holders responsibility to ensure that they are adequately covered for the entire duration of the rental period. We reserve the right to refuse third party insurance.

Contact Details for Mastercard and Visa Canada
Mastercard can be contacted from the U.S. by calling 1-800-MC-ASSIST
Visa Canada can be contacted from Canada by calling 416.367.8472
In order to establish if your MasterCard or Canadian Visa includes Auto Rental Insurance in the Republic of Ireland please call your credit card issuer and/or MasterCard/Canadian Visa before making your reservation. It is important to confirm to your cerdit card issuer that the Republic of Ireland as your place of rental.

Please Note:
Irish Car Rentals unfortunately can not accept Auto Rental Insurance Programs offered by European Banks and Credit card institutions.

Additional Insurance Cover
As said before Irish Car Rentals provide you with the MINIMUM Car Insurance required to Drive in Ireland included in the rental quotation. You can purchase additional cover for Personal Accident Insurance and Super Damage Waiver Insurance (SDW) when you collect your vehicle from the rental desks. Please see our terms and conditions page for full detail on these insurances.

Emergencies and Accidents
Take Care, especially at Junctions. If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident you must report this to the GARDAI, (POLICE), and should do this before leaving the scene. You can contact the GARDAI from any telephone by dialing 999. All emergency services can be contacted at any time by dialing 999 including the Fire Service, Ambulance and Coastal Rescue.

If you are DRIVING A HIRED CAR you must also inform the HIRE COMPANY. You will find their contact details on the Hire Documents you received at the time of hire.

Enjoy yourself and stay safe
Ireland is a wonderful place to tour around, and the best way to see most of it is by Car. So take care, drive carefully and enjoy.