Vulnerable road users in Ireland is one of the rules the driver theory test asks about: the car test sets 40 questions in 45 minutes and 35 correct answers pass. This lesson gives the rule, an example from the road and questions tagged to it. Source: Citizens Information, page edited 6 May 2026, checked on 15 September 2026.
By the Irish Mock Test teamFacts checked 15 September 2026How we check facts
Parking rules exist to keep small people visible
No parking within 15 metres before, or 5 metres after, a crossing, zig-zag lines or traffic lights where there is no footpath build-out. Stopping on school entrance markings is prohibited whatever another sign says.
The Irish rules protecting cyclists, pedestrians, children and older people were rewritten by S.I. No. 473 of 2025, in force from 9 October 2025. It replaced the articles on overtaking, cycle tracks, traffic lights, bus lanes, pedestrians and cyclists, and added shared zones and school streets.
The rules
The overtaking rule now names cyclists and scooter users
You must not overtake where that would endanger or inconvenience any person, and cyclists, e-moped riders and e-scooter users are now named in the text. Inconvenience is a low bar: a pass that makes a rider brake is caught.
On a cycle street no motor vehicle may overtake at all
Where the cycle street sign RUS 068 is provided, drivers must yield to cyclists, e-moped riders and e-scooter users and must not overtake them. There is no judgement to make about the gap. You stay behind.
A cycle track with a solid edge line is not part of your road
Motor vehicles must not drive along or across a track marked with the cycle symbol or a continuous white edge line, except to reach premises. Cutting a corner, waiting to turn and pulling in briefly fall outside that.
At a zebra you yield to the person waiting, not only the person crossing
The duty covers a pedestrian waiting to cross as well as one already crossing. That wording protects an older person who takes a moment at the kerb, and a child watching you rather than the road.
Flashing amber at pedestrian lights is a yield, not a green
When the amber flashes you may go only after yielding to any pedestrian already crossing. Someone who set off on the green keeps priority until they finish.
Shared zones and school streets are both new and both signed
In a shared zone, signed RUS 070, pedestrians may cross anywhere and drivers must yield and take care. On a school street, signed RUS 032A, motor vehicles must not enter during the hours on the sign.
When a uniformed school warden shows the stop sign, traffic must stop and stay stopped while it is displayed. Driving on is an offence in its own right, not a sign regulation matter.
No parking within 15 metres before, or 5 metres after, a crossing, zig-zag lines or traffic lights where there is no footpath build-out. Stopping on school entrance markings is prohibited whatever another sign says.
3 questions on the rules above before you read on.
1 of 3
Question 1
You are approaching a zebra crossing. A pedestrian is standing at the kerb beside the stripes, looking to cross. What must you do?
ASound the horn and continue if they have not yet stepped off
BYield to the pedestrian who is waiting to crossCorrect answer
CContinue, because you only yield once someone is on the stripes
DYield only if the crossing has flashing beacons
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
A person at the kerb of a zebra crossing who is clearly waiting to cross already has priority, so you must yield before they step onto the stripes. Article 8(6A) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 puts that duty on the driver, not a courtesy once they are on the road.
On a straight street where the footpath runs straight past a zebra crossing, parking is banned within what distance on the approach side?
A5 metres
B10 metres
C20 metres
D15 metresCorrect answer
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: D
Where the footpath is not built out into the road, you must not park within 15 metres on the approach side of a zebra crossing. Article 36(2)(h) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 uses 5 metres only on the far side, so those figures are not swapped.
You are on a cycle street behind a cyclist. Where may you next overtake?
AAnywhere the road ahead is clear
BAfter you pass the end of cycle street signCorrect answer
CWhere the cyclist waves you on
DWhere you can overtake below 30 km/h
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
The cycle street rules last until the end of cycle street sign. Until then you stay behind people on pedal cycles, e-mopeds and e-scooters. Article 14B of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not let a wave, a clear road, or a low speed bring the overtaking ban to an end early.
The practical shift is in who is named. Where the older text spoke of vehicles and pedestrians, the current text names cyclists, e-moped users and e-scooter users in the overtaking rule, at crossings, at traffic lights and on cycle tracks. It also adds parallel and combined zebra crossings, where you yield to riders too.
Where the wording is unsettled
One school street point is worth flagging. The exemption in article 45B(2) joins two conditions with the word and: travelling to or from premises reachable only from that street, and displaying a disabled person parking permit. The text does not make them alternatives, so we do not teach it as an either-or.
Pedestrians carry duties too, including keeping close to the right edge where there is no footway, so they face oncoming traffic. Expecting a walker on your side of a rural road at dusk is part of reading the hazard.
On the road
A school street, then a zebra crossing with a van parked near it
You are in a built-up area, so the default limit is 50 km/h unless a special limit is signed.
The RUS 032A sign shows school street hours. Inside them the street is closed to motor vehicles, so your route changes here, not at the gate.
On the next street a van sits about 10 metres before a zebra crossing. Parking within 15 metres of it is prohibited, and the van hides the kerb.
A child is standing at that kerb. The duty runs to a pedestrian waiting, so you stop rather than waiting for a foot on the stripes.
A cyclist passes on your left as you wait, which is lawful unless you are signalling left or stopped to let passengers on or off. Catching the same rider later, an overtake that would endanger or inconvenience them is out.
Where learners go wrong
Waiting until a pedestrian steps onto the stripes. The duty at a zebra covers the person waiting at the kerb.
Using a cycle track as a left-turn lane, a waiting space or a place to drop someone off.
Overtaking on a cycle street because the road looks wide enough.
Moving off on the flashing amber while somebody is still walking across.
Revising from answers written before the October 2025 rewrite, which changed six sets of articles in one day.
Choose an answer, then open the explanation to see the rule behind it.
1 of 17
Question 1
You approach a zebra crossing whose yellow beacons are not flashing. A pedestrian is waiting at the kerb to cross. What must you do?
AYield to the waiting pedestrian even though the beacons are not flashingCorrect answer
BDrive on, because a zebra without flashing beacons has no yield duty
CYield only if the pedestrian has already stepped onto the road
DSound the horn and continue unless a beacon starts flashing
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: A
Beacons do not create the duty and do not switch it off. Article 8(6) and (6A) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 require you to yield to a pedestrian waiting at a zebra crossing whether the beacons are fitted, flashing, or dark.
A pedestrian and a cyclist arrive together at a combined zebra crossing that has flashing beacons. What must you do?
AYield to the pedestrian only; the cyclist must wait for a gap
BYield only if the cyclist gets off and walks
CYield to both the pedestrian and the cyclistCorrect answer
DYield only to those who have already started to cross
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: C
A combined zebra crossing is shared by pedestrians and cyclists, and both have priority while waiting or crossing. Flashing beacons do not change that. Article 8(6D) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 requires you to yield to both, not only to someone already on the crossing.
Your cycle track meets a road at a yield line. A pedestrian is crossing in front of you. What must you do?
AContinue, because pedestrians must yield to cyclists on a cycle track
BYield to cars but not to pedestrians
CYield to the pedestrian and to other trafficCorrect answer
DContinue, because a yield line applies only to motor vehicles
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: C
A cyclist, e-moped or e-scooter user approaching a yield line, with or without a yield sign, must yield to pedestrians and to traffic. Article 21(A) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, inserted in October 2025, is not limited to motor vehicles and does not give cycle-track users priority over a pedestrian already crossing.
A shared track sign shows pedestrians on one side of a vertical line and a cycle on the other. You are cycling and want to overtake by moving onto the pedestrian side. What does the law require?
AUse either side if pedestrians are not in the way
BKeep only to the cycle side shown on the signCorrect answer
CPedestrians must give way to cyclists everywhere on the track
DWheelchair users must use the cycle side
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
A shared track sign with a vertical split is a segregated track: each user stays on the side the sign gives them. Article 14(7) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not let cyclists borrow the pedestrian side to overtake. Wheelchair users count as pedestrians, so they use the pedestrian side.
You are travelling along a one-way street that has a contra-flow cycling sign. A cyclist is coming towards you. What is the position?
AThe cyclist is allowed to travel against the one-way flowCorrect answer
BThe cyclist is breaking the law, so you may hold the centre of the road
COnly e-scooters may travel against the one-way flow
DYou must reverse to let the cyclist through
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: A
Where the contra-flow cycling sign is provided, pedal cycles, e-mopeds and e-scooters may lawfully travel against the one-way direction. Article 14A of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, inserted in October 2025, means you should expect them and allow for them. It does not order you to reverse.
Which marking on the right-hand edge of a cycle track means you must not drive along or across it except to reach a place beside the track?
AA broken white line
BA continuous white lineCorrect answer
CElephant's footprint markings
DA single yellow line
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
A continuous white line on the right-hand edge of a cycle track (or a painted cycle symbol on its own) triggers the ban on driving along or across, except for access. Article 14(5) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not apply that ban to a cycle symbol used with a broken white line or with elephant's footprint markings.
At a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights, the amber light is flashing and a pedestrian is partway across. What must you do?
AGo on only after yielding to the pedestrian already crossingCorrect answer
BDrive on as if the light were green
CSound the horn so the pedestrian returns to the footpath
DGo on once the pedestrian has passed the centre of the road
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: A
When the amber lamp of standard traffic lights flashes, you may pass the lights or stop line only after yielding to a pedestrian who has already started to cross. Article 30(4) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not treat flashing amber as green or cut priority at the centre line.
You are on an e-scooter and want to overtake a line of stopped cars. How must you ride?
AIn single fileCorrect answer
BTwo abreast so you are more visible
CThree abreast on a wide road
DAny number abreast if the cars are stopped
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: A
When overtaking other traffic, e-scooter users must ride in single file. Article 47A of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, inserted in 2024, mirrors the pedal cycle rule: no more than two abreast in ordinary riding, and single file when passing other traffic, even if that traffic is stopped.
You are approaching a parallel zebra crossing. A cyclist is waiting at the cycle part of the crossing and there is no pedestrian in sight. What must you do?
ADrive on, because only pedestrians have priority at this crossing
BYield only after the cyclist has started to cross
CYield to the cyclist who is waiting to crossCorrect answer
DDrive on unless the cyclist gets off and walks
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: C
A parallel zebra crossing gives priority to people on pedal cycles as well as to pedestrians, including someone still waiting at the cycle part. Article 8(6C) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, added in October 2025, does not wait for the cyclist to move off or to walk.
You are cycling on a two-way cycle track beside a road. Which side of each lane should you keep to?
AThe right, so riders face each other
BThe middle of the lane
CAs near as possible to the left of each laneCorrect answer
DEither side if the track is quiet
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: C
On a two-way cycle track, pedal cycles, e-mopeds and e-scooters keep as near as possible to the left of each lane. Article 14(3) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not put riders on the right to face each other, in the middle, or on either side when the track is quiet.
You are in a queue of stopped traffic and have not signalled left. A cyclist is coming up on your left. What does the law allow the cyclist to do?
ACyclists may never pass on the left
BCyclists may pass on the left of traffic that is stopped or moving more slowlyCorrect answer
COnly e-scooter users may pass on the left
DPassing on the left is allowed only in a bus lane
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
Pedal cyclists, e-moped users and e-scooter users may pass on the left where the vehicles on their right are stopped or moving more slowly, unless that vehicle has signalled left and can reasonably be expected to turn, or is stopped for passengers or loading. Article 10(5)(b) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 is not limited to bus lanes or to e-scooters.
A vehicle ahead is waiting to turn right. The cycle track beside you has a continuous white line on its right-hand edge. May you put two wheels into the cycle track to get past?
AYes, if no cyclist is in sight
BYes, for up to 30 seconds to let traffic pass
CYes, outside rush hour
DNo, even partly driving along that cycle track is not allowedCorrect answer
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: D
Driving along or across a cycle track with a continuous white edge line is banned even if only part of the vehicle is in the track. Article 14(5) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not allow a brief nibble to pass a right-turning vehicle, an empty track, or a quiet time of day.
You parked in a pedestrianised street at 9.00. The plate shows the restriction starting at 11.00. What must you do?
ALeave the vehicle, because you arrived before the hours began
BStay parked if you display hazard lights
CStay parked if the vehicle is under 3,500 kg
DMove the vehicle before the restricted hours beginCorrect answer
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: D
During the hours on the plate nobody may drive into a pedestrianised street, and a vehicle already parked there must be taken out before those hours start. Article 45 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not let you stay because you arrived early, show hazard lights, or sit under 3,500 kg.
A pedestrian is already on the far half of a zebra crossing as you approach. What does the law require?
ADrive on, because they have already passed the centre of the road
BSound the horn so they finish more quickly
CYield only if they are still on your half of the road
DYield to the pedestrian who has already started to crossCorrect answer
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: D
Priority at a zebra crossing lasts for the whole crossing, including the far half, once the pedestrian has started. Article 8(6A) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 requires you to yield to anyone who has already begun to cross, not only to people still on your side.
In a shared zone marked by a shared zone sign, where may pedestrians enter or cross the road?
AAt any point in the shared zoneCorrect answer
BOnly at a marked pedestrian crossing
COnly at the edges of the roadway
DOnly at weekends when the sign is in force
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: A
The shared zone sign means pedestrians may enter or cross the road anywhere in that zone until the end of shared zone sign. Article 45A of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 does not confine them to marked crossings, to the edges, or to weekends.
On a straight street where the footpath runs straight past a set of traffic lights, how close may you park on the side beyond the lights?
ANo closer than 15 metres beyond the lights
BNo closer than 5 metres beyond the lightsCorrect answer
CNo closer than 10 metres beyond the lights
DNo closer than 20 metres beyond the lights
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: B
On the side other than the approach side, the ban is 5 metres, not 15. Article 36(2)(h) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 applies that 5 metre rule to traffic lights as well as to zebra, parallel and combined crossings where the footpath runs straight past.
A parallel zebra crossing is nearby. May you walk across the road 8 metres from it instead of using the crossing?
AYes, if you give way to traffic
BYes, during daylight hours
CNo, not within 15 metres except at the crossingCorrect answer
DYes, if you stay within 5 metres
Show the answerHide the answer
Correct answer: C
Where a zebra, parallel or combined zebra crossing is provided, pedestrians must use it and must not cross the road within 15 metres of it except by that crossing. Article 46(7) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, as substituted in October 2025, does not shrink that distance to 5 metres or limit it to night.