Toll roads in Ireland? How to buy a vignette in Ireland? Fines in Ireland? Parking in Ireland? Freeways in Ireland? Toll tunnels in Ireland? Toll bridges in Ireland We have collected the answers to all these questions for you in this article.
The length of Ireland’s public road network is 96,602 km. Of them, 91,145 km are paved. The length of highways is 1,224 km.
In Ireland, as well as in Great Britain, the traffic is on the left.
Toll Motorways in Ireland
In Ireland, tolls are charged for the use of certain sections of motorways, bridges and tunnels. Failure to pay road tolls is a crime in Ireland. A fine of up to €1,270.
M50 Barrier-Free
The Motorway M50 runs around Dublin and intersects with the main radial routes M1, M2, N3, N4, N7 and N11. Barrier-Free is between junction 6 (M50/N3 Blanchardstown) and junction 7 (M50/N4 Lucan).
There are currently no cash payment points on the M50 motorway. Unregistered users must pay the toll by 8 pm the day after the trip.Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Unregistered | Tag registered | Video registered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles | – | – | – | |
| Passenger cars (up to 8 passengers) | €3.20 | € 2.10 | € 2.70 | |
| Buses and minibuses (over 8 passengers) | €4.10 | €3.00 | €3.50 | |
| Vans (empty weight up to 2.0 t) | €4.10 | €3.00 | €3.50 | |
| Vans (empty weight from 2.0 t to 10.0 t) | €5.40 | € 4.40 | € 4.90 |
If payment is not made by 20:00 the day after your trip, a fine of €3.50 will be added to the amount owed.
If you do not pay the €3.00 toll and fine within the next 14 days, the fine will increase to €46.50.
Failure to pay the full amount within the next 56 days will result in an additional fine of €116.
If you do not pay the entire amount after this period, the case will be referred to the court.
More info: eFlow
Payment methods for unregistered users
Payment can be made as follows (by providing the vehicle registration number):
- online at www.eflow.ie
- by phone using a credit card 0818 50 10 50 / +353 1 461 0122
- in cash at Payzone branded stores across the country
M1 Gormanston – Monasterboice
Motorway M1 (Gormanston – Monasterboice) is located in the east of Ireland and passes through counties Meath and Louth. The length of the toll road section is about 30 km (located between points 7 and 18).
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
More information: Celtic Roads Group
M3 Clonee – Kells
Motorway M3 (Clonee – Kells) is located in the north-east of Ireland. Toll areas are located between points 5 (Dunboyne) and 6 (Dunshaughlin) and between points 9 (Navan North) and 10 (Kells).
Each plot is subject to payment.
Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 0.80 | |
| Passenger cars | € 1.50 | |
| Buses and minibuses | € 2.30 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | € 2.30 |
M4 Kilcock – Kinnegad
Motorway M4 (Kilcock – Enfield – Kinnegad) is located in the east of Ireland and passes through counties Meath, Westmeath and Kildare. The length of the toll road is about 35 km (located between points 8 (Kilcock) and 10 (Kinnegad East)).2024 fares:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.50 | |
| Passenger cars | €3.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | € 4.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | € 4.50 |
M6 Galway – Ballinasloe
Motorway M6 (Galway – Ballinasloe) is located in the west of Ireland. The length of the toll road is approximately 13.5 km (located between points 15 (Ballinasloe West) and 16 (Loughrea)).
.Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
M7 / M8 Portlaoise – Cullahill
Motorway M7 / M8 (Portlaoise – Castletown/ Portlaoise – Cullahill) is located in the middle lane of Ireland in the county of Laois. On the M7 motorway, the section between junctions 18 (Portlaoise West) and 21 (Borris-In-Ossory) is subject to a toll. And the section between points 3 (Rathdowney) on the M8 and 18 (Portlaoise West) on the M7 > .
Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
Payment methods
- Cash – payment can be made both at automatic slots (if the exact amount is in coins) and at slots serviced by the operator.
- Credit cards – VISA or MASTERCARD.
M8 Rathcormac – Fermoy
Motorway M8 (Rathcormac – Fermoy) is located in the south-west of Ireland in County Cork. The toll road is approximately 15 km north of Dunkettle (located between junctions 15 (Fermoy South) and 17 (Watergrasshill)).
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
Payment methods
Payment can be made in cash both at automatic slots (if the exact amount is in coins) and at slots serviced by the operator.
Currently, credit cards are not accepted for fare payment.
N25 Waterford City Bypass
Motorway N25 (Waterford) is located in the southeast of Ireland near the city of Waterford.
.Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
Payment methods
- Cash – payment can be made both at automatic slots (if the exact amount is in coins) and at slots serviced by the operator.
- Credit cards – VISA or MASTERCARD.
Plots with special payment
East Link Toll Bridge
The East-Link Toll Bridge is located on the Docklands in Dublin.
Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles | – | |
| Cars (up to 8 passengers) | € 1.90 | |
| Buses and minibuses (more than 8 passengers) | € 2.90 | |
| Vans (empty weight up to 2.0 t) | € 2.90 | |
| Vans (empty weight from 2.0 t to 10.0 t) | €3.90 |
Payment methods
- Cash – payment can be made both at automatic slots (if the exact amount is in coins) and at slots serviced by the operator.
- Credit cards – VISA or MASTERCARD.
Dublin Port Tunnel
Dublin Port Tunnel is located in Dublin and connects the M1 (south of Dublin Airport) and the Docklands.
Tolls apply to cars, taxis, motorcycles and vans/light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Tariffs for 2024:
| Direction of movement | Time | Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| southward | Mon-Fri from 06:00 to 10:00 | €10.00 |
| other time | €3.00 | |
| northward | Mon-Fri from 16:00 to 19:00 | €10.00 |
| other time | €3.00 |
Limerick Tunnel
The Limerick Tunnel is located in the west of Ireland on the outskirts of the city of Limerick.
Tariffs for 2024:
| Vehicle | Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles (over 50cc) | € 1.00 | |
| Passenger cars | € 2.00 | |
| Buses and minibuses | €3.50 | |
| Vans up to 3.5 t | €3.50 |
Road map of Ireland
The main traffic laws of Ireland
Speed limits in Ireland
Standard speed limits in Ireland (unless otherwise indicated on signs).Cars and motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 80 km/h
- on the road – 100 km/h
- on the highway – 120 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 80 km/h
- on the road – 80 km/h
- on the highway – 80 km/h
Local authorities can temporarily set specific speed limits on certain road sections.
Alcohol
The maximum permissible blood alcohol level in Ireland since mid-2011 0.5 ‰ (previously 0.8 ‰).
Since March 5, 2007, the fine for drunk driving has been increased and can amount to €5,000 .
All drunk driving convictions include a mandatory driver’s license suspension of 1 to 3 years. And in case of repeated violation from 2 to 6 years.
For drivers with less than 2 years of experience, the permissible blood alcohol level is 0.2 ‰.
Low light
Daytime dipped beam in Ireland is only required in poor visibility conditions.
Transportation of children in Ireland
Children under 3 years of age can travel only when using appropriate child restraint systems that correspond to their weight. It is allowed to transport them in the front part of the car, provided that the airbag is turned off.
Children aged 3 years and over, up to 150cm tall and weighing less than 36kg (ie usually up to 11/12 years old) must use a child seat that matches their weight or a booster seat.
The fine is €60. If the case goes to court and you are found guilty, the fine is €800.
Safety belts
Seat belt use in Ireland is mandatory for front and rear passengers.
It is the driver’s legal responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 17 use child seats, booster seats or seat belts correctly.
The fine for violation is €60. If the case will be considered in court and you are found guilty, the fine is €800.
Phoning
In Ireland, it is prohibited to use a telephone while driving, except for emergency calls (999 and 112).
The fine is €60. If the case goes to court and you are found guilty, the fine can reach €2,000.
Using a telephone equipped with a hands-free technology is not illegal, but it can cause a loss of concentration and create an emergency situation on the road.
Fine for careless driving — €80. Careless driving – trial .
Penalties in Ireland
For minor violations, a fine is imposed in the form of a fixed fee and penalty points specified in the driver’s license. For more serious violations, charges may be filed in court.
Information about penalty points received by foreign drivers is stored in a separate database. If such a driver subsequently applies for an Irish driving licence, these penalty points will be entered on that licence.
After receiving a fixed penalty notice, you have 28 days to pay. If you do not pay the fine within this period, the amount is increased by 50% and you have another 28 days to pay the increased fine. If the fine remains unpaid even after that, the case is referred to the court.Fines for some traffic violations in Ireland:
| Violation | Penalty points | Fixed penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding | 2 | € 80 |
| Dangerous overtaking | 2 | € 80 |
| Intersection of the solid white line | 2 | € 80 |
| Failure to comply with the requirements of traffic lights | 2 | € 80 |
| Violation of traffic rules at a railway crossing | 2 | € 80 |
| Oncoming traffic on the highway | 2 | € 80 |
| Driving on the side of the highway | 2 | € 80 |
| Traffic not on the left of the road | 1 | €60 |
| Traffic on the sidewalk or bike path | 1 | €60 |
| Failure to comply with the policeman’s request to stop | 1 | €60 |
| Failure to comply with the requirement to give way | 2 | € 80 |
| Failure to comply with the requirements of prohibitory signs or road markings | 1 | €60 |
| Failure to comply with the requirement to turn left when entering a roundabout | 1 | €60 |
| Failure to maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead. | 2 | € 80 |
| Illegal entry into a one-way street | 1 | €60 |
Useful Information
Fuel prices in Ireland
Unleaded petrol (95) and diesel are available in Ireland. Leaded gasoline and gas filling stations (LPG) are very rare.
On the territory of the country, it is allowed to carry canisters in a car.
Average prices for all types of fuel as of 05.12.2023 :
- Super (95) – € 1.697
- Diesel – € 1.708
- LPG – € 0.880
Emergency numbers in Ireland
- The European emergency number is 112
- Police, ambulance, fire service – 999
Mandatory equipment in Ireland
Equipment that must be in the car:
- Emergency stop sign
Winter equipment
Winter tires
Winter tires are optional in Ireland.
Studded tires
The use of studded tires in Ireland is permitted with a speed limit of 112 km/h on motorways and 96 km/h on normal roads.
Anti-slip chains
Snow chains are only allowed to be used in Ireland if the road is completely covered with snow or ice.
Recommended equipment and other rules
It is recommended to equip your cars with a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a set of spare light bulbs. It is also recommended to use a reflective vest if you need to get out of the vehicle in an emergency. If you wear glasses, it is recommended to have a spare pair in the car.
Some crossings have manual barriers that drivers must open and close themselves.
The feature that indicates the location of stationary speed cameras in GPS-based navigation software should be deactivated.
The use, storage and carriage of radar detectors is prohibited in Ireland. When discovered, they are confiscated by the police.