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Rules of the road

Speed limits in Ireland: rules, law and questions

Part of rules of the road. Read the rules, then test yourself.
Practise: Speed limitsMore sets

Speed limits 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

Special limits come from a bye-law and a fixed menu

A council may choose 20, 30 or 40 km/h under Ministerial guidelines, 50 km/h outside a built-up area, 60, 80 or 100 km/h, or 120 km/h on a national dual carriageway. The public gets 30 days to object.

Source: Irish Statute Book, Road Traffic Act 2004, s. 9(1) to (5), (7), checked on 2026-09-15

Ireland has five default speed limits: 50 km/h in a built-up area, 60 km/h on a local road, 80 km/h on a regional road, 100 km/h on a national road and 120 km/h on a motorway. The Road Traffic Act 2004, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 2024, sets all five.

The rules

  1. Two ceilings apply at the same time

    It is an offence to drive faster than the limit in force for the road, or faster than the ordinary limit that attaches to the vehicle you are driving. You obey whichever of the two is lower.

    Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 47(1), (2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2004, s. 11

  2. A lawful speed can still be too fast

    You must drive so that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. In fog or on an unlit bend that duty puts your legal maximum well below the sign.

    Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, art. 7

  3. Built-up 50 km/h, national roads 100 km/h, motorways 120 km/h

    These three defaults have not changed. Built-up status comes from the road itself, and a dual carriageway is not a motorway unless it is signed as one.

    Road Traffic Act 2004, ss. 5, 7(1) and 8(1)

  4. Local roads 60 km/h, regional roads 80 km/h

    The local road default fell from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on 7 February 2025. Regional roads kept 80 km/h. This is the most recent change to any Irish default limit, so older notes get it wrong.

    Road Traffic Act 2004, s. 6(1), (2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2024, s. 7

  5. Buses, heavy goods vehicles and anything towing carry their own limits

    A bus with more than 8 passenger seats takes 100 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways and 80 km/h elsewhere, and 65 km/h anywhere if it is built for standing passengers. Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg take 90 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads. Anything towing takes 80 km/h on every public road.

    Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits - Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008, regs 3 and 4, reg. 4 as substituted by S.I. No. 255 of 2022

  6. The vehicle limit never lifts the road limit

    Where the ordinary limit for your vehicle is higher than the limit for the road, the road limit wins. A vehicle limit only ever brings your maximum down.

    Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits - Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008, reg. 5

  7. Special limits come from a bye-law and a fixed menu

    A council may choose 20, 30 or 40 km/h under Ministerial guidelines, 50 km/h outside a built-up area, 60, 80 or 100 km/h, or 120 km/h on a national dual carriageway. The public gets 30 days to object.

    Road Traffic Act 2004, s. 9(1) to (5), (7)

  8. Road works and variable limits are temporary but binding

    A road works limit is made by order, cannot go below 20 km/h and lasts at most 12 months. An electronic variable limit runs from 20 to 120 km/h in steps of 10 km/h and applies while it is displayed.

    Road Traffic Act 2004, ss. 10, 10A and 10B

Quick check

3 questions on the rules above before you read on.

1 of 3
  1. Question 1

    Your vehicle has its own speed limit and the road has a lower limit. Which limit must you obey?

    • AThe vehicle limit because it is specific to the vehicle
    • BWhichever limit was displayed most recently
    • CThe higher limit when the road is clear
    • DThe lower road limitCorrect answer
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: D

    Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2004, makes the lower road limit binding where it is below the limit applying to the vehicle.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961), s. 47(1), (2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 11, checked on 2026-09-15.

  2. Question 2

    A national road leaves a built-up area and continues through the countryside. Which default applies if no other limit is set?

    • A120 km/h
    • B110 km/h
    • C100 km/hCorrect answer
    • D80 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: C

    Under section 7(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, a national road outside a built-up area has a 100 km/h default. The motorway default does not apply to this road.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 7(1), checked on 2026-09-15.

  3. Question 3

    What is the vehicle limit for a car drawing a horsebox on a public road whose road limit is higher?

    • A120 km/h
    • B100 km/h
    • C80 km/hCorrect answer
    • D60 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: C

    Regulation 4(b) of the Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008, as substituted, sets 80 km/h for a vehicle drawing another vehicle.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 546 of 2008), Reg. 4(b), as substituted by S.I. No. 255 of 2022, reg. 2(b), checked on 2026-09-15.

Which speed limit changes are law, and which are not in force yet

Two well-publicised changes sit on the statute book without being commenced, so neither is the law and neither is the answer to a question. The Road Traffic Act 2024 would drop the built-up default to 30 km/h and move national roads other than national primary roads to 80 km/h. The part of it that did commence, on 7 February 2025, is the local road one.

  • In force: built-up 50, local 60, regional 80, national 100, motorway 120.
  • Enacted, not commenced: built-up 30, non-primary national 80.
On the road

A car towing a caravan onto a motorway

  1. On a national road outside a built-up area the road limit is 100 km/h.

  2. Your combination is one vehicle towing another, so its own ordinary limit is 80 km/h on every public road.

  3. The lower of the two figures applies, so your maximum is 80 km/h, not 100 km/h.

  4. You join the motorway. The road limit rises to 120 km/h and your ceiling stays at 80 km/h.

  5. An ordinary limit of 90 km/h or less also keeps you out of the right-hand lane, unless an obstruction or a lane closure leaves you no choice.

Where learners go wrong

  • Answering 30 km/h for built-up areas. That figure is in the Road Traffic Act 2024, but the section has not been commenced.

  • Treating local roads as 80 km/h. They dropped to 60 km/h, and regional roads are the ones that kept 80 km/h.

  • Reading the posted number as a target rather than a ceiling the stopping duty can lower.

  • Forgetting the vehicle ceiling, which is how a van with a trailer ends up over its 80 km/h maximum on a motorway.

  • Giving 120 km/h for a bus on a motorway. The figure is 100 km/h there, or 65 km/h where it carries standing passengers.

Sources

Source: irishstatutebook.ie, Road Traffic Act 2004, ss. 5 to 10B (defaults, special, road works and variable limits), checked on 2026-09-15

Source: irishstatutebook.ie, Road Traffic Act 2024, ss. 6 to 9 (s. 7 commenced 7 February 2025), checked on 2026-09-15

Source: irishstatutebook.ie, Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits) Regulations 2008, as amended by S.I. No. 255 of 2022, checked on 2026-09-15

Source: irishstatutebook.ie, Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, arts 7 and 33, checked on 2026-09-15

Test yourself

Short test on this lesson

Choose an answer, then open the explanation to see the rule behind it.

1 of 17
  1. Question 1

    A white disc with a black border and black diagonal lines is used on a local road. What limit does it show?

    • A100 km/h
    • B80 km/h
    • C60 km/hCorrect answer
    • DNo limit applies
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: C

    Regulation 33 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 permits this alternative sign for a 60 km/h local road limit. It does not remove the speed limit.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 433 of 2025), Reg. 33(4), (5), checked on 2026-09-15.

  2. Question 2

    Who may set a special speed limit on roads within a local authority area?

    • AThe Garda station by a local notice
    • BAny road contractor by a site notice
    • CA driving school by a safety notice
    • DThe county council or city council by bye-lawsCorrect answer
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: D

    Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 gives county councils and city councils the power to make special speed limit bye-laws for roads in their areas.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 9, checked on 2026-09-15.

  3. Question 3

    What is the default speed limit on a town street when no different limit applies?

    • A80 km/h
    • B60 km/h
    • C50 km/hCorrect answer
    • D30 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: C

    The built-up area speed limit under section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 is 50 km/h. It applies to public roads in the area except motorways unless a special or roadworks limit applies.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 5, checked on 2026-09-15.

  4. Question 4

    An electronic special speed limit sign is lit during set periods of the day. What can the bye-law provide?

    • AThe special limit applies during specified periods of the dayCorrect answer
    • BThe sign gives advice while the ordinary limit remains unchanged
    • CThe special limit applies only to heavy vehicles
    • DThe sign lets each driver choose between two limits
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    Section 9(5) of the Road Traffic Act 2004 allows a special limit for specified daily periods, while regulation 34 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 provides for a sign switched on and off by a device.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 9(5); Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 433 of 2025), reg. 34, checked on 2026-09-15.

  5. Question 5

    What ordinary speed limit applies to an e-scooter on a public road unless the road limit is lower?

    • A20 km/hCorrect answer
    • B30 km/h
    • C40 km/h
    • D50 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    Regulation 4 of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 sets a 20 km/h ordinary limit for an e-scooter on public roads, subject to any lower road limit.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 199 of 2024), Reg. 4, checked on 2026-09-15.

  6. Question 6

    What does the law require when darkness reduces the distance of road you can see to be clear?

    • AKeep the daytime speed whenever the road is familiar and no vehicle is ahead
    • BFollow the speed of the vehicle ahead
    • CChoose a speed that permits a stop within the clear distance visibleCorrect answer
    • DDrive at the road limit until an obstruction appears
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: C

    Under article 7 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, your speed must allow you to stop within the distance visible as clear. Reduced visibility can therefore require a lower speed.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997), Art. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  7. Question 7

    What default limit applies on a rural national road when no special or roadworks limit is in force?

    • A80 km/h
    • B100 km/hCorrect answer
    • C110 km/h
    • D120 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    The national road default outside a built-up area is 100 km/h under section 7(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, unless another lawful limit applies.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 7(1), checked on 2026-09-15.

  8. Question 8

    Which statement correctly describes the change to the default for local roads outside built-up areas?

    • AIt changed from 60 km/h to 80 km/h throughout all rural road types
    • BIt changed from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on 7 February 2025Correct answer
    • CIt changed only on regional roads
    • DThe default did not change
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    The local road default became 60 km/h on 7 February 2025 under section 6(2) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2024.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 6(2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2024 (No. 10 of 2024), s. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  9. Question 9

    You are driving on a regional road outside a built-up area with no different limit. What is the default?

    • A60 km/h
    • B80 km/hCorrect answer
    • C100 km/h
    • D120 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    Section 6(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2024, sets an 80 km/h default for regional roads outside built-up areas.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 6(1), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2024 (No. 10 of 2024), s. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  10. Question 10

    You are towing a caravan on a motorway where the road limit is higher. What vehicle limit applies?

    • A80 km/hCorrect answer
    • B90 km/h
    • C100 km/h
    • D120 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    Regulation 4(b) of the Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008, as substituted, limits a vehicle drawing another vehicle to 80 km/h, including on a motorway.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 546 of 2008), Reg. 4(b), as substituted by S.I. No. 255 of 2022, reg. 2(b), checked on 2026-09-15.

  11. Question 11

    The road limit is higher than the speed at which you can stop in the clear space ahead. Which speed rule applies?

    • AThe posted road limit must always be reached whenever traffic conditions appear light
    • BYou must slow enough to stop within the clear distance you can seeCorrect answer
    • CThe higher road limit replaces the need to judge visibility
    • DThe speed of nearby traffic decides the lawful speed
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    The visible stopping distance duty in article 7 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 applies even when the road limit is higher. The limit does not require you to drive at that speed.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997), Art. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  12. Question 12

    You are on a local road outside a built-up area and no other limit is set. What default applies?

    • A60 km/hCorrect answer
    • B70 km/h
    • C80 km/h
    • D100 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    Section 6(2) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2024, sets the local road default outside built-up areas at 60 km/h.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 6(2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2024 (No. 10 of 2024), s. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  13. Question 13

    What was the default limit on a local road outside a built-up area before 7 February 2025?

    • A50 km/h
    • B60 km/h
    • C70 km/h
    • D80 km/hCorrect answer
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: D

    Before 7 February 2025 the local road default was 80 km/h. Section 6(2) of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2024, changed it to 60 km/h from that date.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 6(2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2024 (No. 10 of 2024), s. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  14. Question 14

    Two speed limits apply at once, one to the road and one to your vehicle. What is the lawful approach?

    • AStay within whichever of the two limits is lowerCorrect answer
    • BUse the road limit even when the vehicle limit is lower
    • CAverage the two limits before choosing a speed
    • DUse the vehicle limit even when the road limit is lower
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    The speeding rule in section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by the Road Traffic Act 2004, requires compliance with the lower applicable limit. Neither limit permits exceeding the other.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961), s. 47(1), (2), as substituted by Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), s. 11, checked on 2026-09-15.

  15. Question 15

    You are approaching a bend and can see only a short clear stretch ahead. How must you choose your speed?

    • AUse a speed that lets you stop within the clear distance you can seeCorrect answer
    • BKeep exactly to the posted limit even when the visible clear distance is shorter
    • CMatch the speed of the vehicle behind you
    • DMaintain one fixed speed until the bend ends
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: A

    Article 7 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 requires a speed that allows you to halt within the distance you can see to be clear. A posted limit remains a maximum, not a target.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997), Art. 7, checked on 2026-09-15.

  16. Question 16

    A van is drawing a trailer on a dual carriageway with a higher road limit. What vehicle limit applies?

    • A60 km/h
    • B80 km/hCorrect answer
    • C100 km/h
    • D120 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    The towing limit in regulation 4(b) of the Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008, as substituted, is 80 km/h on every public road.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles, etc) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 546 of 2008), Reg. 4(b), as substituted by S.I. No. 255 of 2022, reg. 2(b), checked on 2026-09-15.

  17. Question 17

    What is the lowest speed limit that may be set by a roadworks speed limit order?

    • A10 km/h
    • B20 km/hCorrect answer
    • C30 km/h
    • D40 km/h
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Correct answer: B

    Sections 10 and 10A of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as changed by the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, require a roadworks speed limit to be at least 20 km/h.

    Citation

    Source: Road Traffic Act 2004 (No. 44 of 2004), ss. 10(1), (2) and 10A, as substituted and inserted by Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 (No. 16 of 2023), ss. 55, 56, checked on 2026-09-15.

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