Rules of the Road questions and answers
90 questions on the rules Irish learners are asked about, from speed limits to roundabouts to learner permits. Every answer is the RSA's own words from the Rules of the Road, so you learn it the way it is written.
Use them for the driver theory test and for the questions at the start of your driving test. These are not the official theory test questions; book and practise those at theorytest.ie.
Speed and Distance
What are the default speed limits on Irish roads?
“In most cases, a 'default' speed limit applies. This automatically applies to a particular type of road if there is no speed limit sign to show otherwise.”
- Motorway (Blue Signs - M numbers) 120kmh
- National roads (primary and secondary) (Green Signs - N numbers) 100kmh
- Regional roads 80kmh
- Local roads 60kmh
- Roads in built-up areas, such as cities, towns and boroughs 50kmh
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Is the speed limit the speed you should drive at?
“The signs indicate the maximum speed at which your vehicle may travel on a particular road or stretch of road, not the required speed for the road.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Apart from the speed limit, what decides how fast you may drive?
“A vehicle must not be driven at a speed exceeding that which will enable its driver to bring it to a halt within a distance the driver can see to be clear.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the two-second rule?
“Keep a safe headway by ensuring you are at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front. This is known as the 'two-second rule'.”
“On a dry road, choose a point like a lamp post or road sign.”
“When the vehicle in front passes that point, say out loud, 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How should your gap change in wet weather or worse?
“In wet weather, double the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you by saying 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule' twice.”
“If travelling in more severe conditions such as snow, fog and ice, you may need to repeat 'only a fool breaks the two-second rule' 4 or 5 times.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What does your total stopping distance depend on?
“The total minimum stopping distance of your vehicle depends on four things:”
- your perception time
- your reaction time
- your vehicle reaction time
- your vehicle braking capability
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What happens to your braking distance if you double your speed?
“When you double the speed of your car, you multiply the total braking distance nearly four times.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How does your speed affect a pedestrian you hit?
- Hit by a car at 60kmh, 9 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed.
- Hit by a car at 50kmh, 5 out of 10 of pedestrians will be killed.
- Hit by a car at 30kmh, 1 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Junctions and Roundabouts
What must you do at a Stop sign?
“If you approach a Stop sign, you must stop completely before entering the major road, no matter how quiet it might appear.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What must you do at a Yield sign?
“If you see a Yield sign on the road, usually near a junction or roundabout, you must give way to any traffic on a major road ahead and you must not proceed onto the main road until it is safe to do so.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Who has right of way where two roads of equal importance meet?
“If you are at a junction where the roads are of equal importance, the traffic on your right has right of way. You must let that traffic pass before you move on.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Who has right of way at a T junction?
“If you are approaching a T junction, the traffic already on the road you are joining has right of way.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When you turn right at a junction, who has right of way?
“If you are turning right at a junction, the traffic coming straight through the junction from the opposite direction has right of way.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
You are turning right and an oncoming car is turning left into the same road. Who goes first?
“If you plan to turn right at a junction and a vehicle from the opposite direction wants to turn into the same road, the vehicle that is turning left has right of way. If yours is the vehicle turning right, you must wait for the other vehicle to turn first.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When may you enter a yellow box junction?
“You must not enter the yellow box junction unless you can clear it without stopping.”
“An exception is when you want to turn right. In this case, you may enter the yellow box junction while waiting for a gap in traffic coming from the opposite direction. However, don't enter the box if to do so would block other traffic that has the right of way.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Who must you yield to at a roundabout?
“Treat the roundabout as a junction. You must yield to traffic coming from the right or traffic already on the roundabout, but keep moving if the way is clear.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the golden rule for choosing a lane at a roundabout?
- Think of the roundabout as a clock.
- If taking any exit from the 6 o'clock to the 12 o'clock position, motorists should generally approach in the left-hand lane.
- If taking any exit between the 12 o'clock to the 6 o'clock positions, motorists should generally approach in the right-hand lane.
“If there are road markings showing you what lane you should be in, follow those directions.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How do you go straight ahead at a roundabout?
“Approach in the left-hand lane (unless road markings say otherwise) but do not indicate 'left' until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How do you take a later exit, past 12 o'clock, at a roundabout?
“Approach in the right-hand lane (unless road markings say otherwise), indicate 'right' on your approach and leave your indicator on until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take. Then change to the 'left' turn indicator.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Lanes and Road Markings
What does a continuous white line along the centre of the road mean?
“These divide two lanes of traffic traveling in opposite directions. All traffic must keep to the left of the line (except in an emergency or for access).”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you cross short broken white lines along the centre of the road?
“These divide two lanes of traffic travelling in opposite directions. You must not cross them unless it is safe to do so.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Where a broken line runs beside a continuous line, which do you obey?
“The driver must obey the line that is nearest to them.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Hatched markings separate traffic going in opposite directions. May you drive on them?
“If you see these markings on a road, you must not enter the area they cover.”
“Hatched markings can also be used for separating traffic travelling in opposite directions (in what are called central median islands).”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Who is the hard shoulder on an ordinary road normally for, and when may a driver pull into it?
“This road contains a hard shoulder, which is normally only for pedestrians and cyclists.”
“If a driver wants to allow a vehicle behind them to overtake, they may pull in to the hard shoulder briefly (but do not continue driving in the hard shoulder) as long as no pedestrians or cyclists are already using it and no junctions or entrances are nearby.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When may a car drive in a bus lane?
“Normally, bus lanes operate from 7am to 7pm or during peak hours. Outside these times, all traffic may use them. You should check the information plate to confirm the time limits that apply.”
“A contra-flow bus lane runs in the opposite direction to the traffic beside it. It is reserved only for buses, which generally means that no other traffic may use it, day or night, unless signs authorise its use by cyclists or e-scooter users.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you drive into a cycle track bounded by a continuous white line?
“No vehicle (other than a motorised wheelchair) may cross into or over a mandatory cycle track unless the driver is entering or leaving a place or a side road. A mandatory cycle track is a cycle track that is bounded by a continuous white line.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What must you do at an advanced stop line for cyclists?
“The motor vehicle driver must wait behind the first white line they reach and not cross into the shaded area. The driver must also give cyclists enough time and space to move off when the lights turn green.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Which lane should you use on a dual carriageway?
“You must normally drive in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway. You may use the outer lane of a two-lane or three-lane dual carriageway only:”
- for overtaking
- when intending to turn right a short distance ahead
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Lights and Signals
What does a red traffic light mean?
“A red light means 'Stop'. If the light is red as you approach it, you must not go beyond the stop line at that light or, if there is no stop line, you must not go beyond the light.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What does an amber traffic light mean?
“An amber light means that you must not go beyond the stop line or, if there is no stop line, you must not go beyond the light. However, you may go on if you are so close to the line or the light when the amber light first appears that stopping would be dangerous.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Does a green light give you right of way?
“A green light means you may go on if the way is clear. Take special care if you intend to turn left or right and give way to pedestrians who are crossing. A green light is not a right of way - it is an indication that you can proceed with caution.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What does a green filter arrow mean?
“A green arrow (also known as a filter light) means that you may move on in the direction of the arrow, assuming it is safe and the way is clear, even if a red light is also showing.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What does a flashing amber arrow pointing left mean?
“It means that you may move on past the traffic light, but only if you first give way to traffic already coming through the junction on the other road.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if the traffic lights at a junction are out of order?
“If the traffic lights at a controlled junction are out of order, you must first stop at the control line and only proceed when it is safe to do so ensuring you yield to all other traffic who have right of way.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When must you signal?
“A motorist must always signal before they change their course. This means signalling clearly and in good time before:”
- moving off
- turning right or left
- changing lanes
- overtaking
- slowing down
- stopping
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Does signalling give you right of way?
“Signals show only what you are intending to do - they never give you right of way.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
A Garda signals you to stop at a green light. What do you do?
“If a Garda is controlling traffic, their signals override all other signals from traffic lights. This means that if they signal you to stop, for example, you must do so even if a green light is showing.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Overtaking and Position
When must you not overtake?
- You are at or near a pelican crossing, zebra crossing or at pedestrian signals.
- A traffic sign or road marking prohibits it.
- You are approaching a junction.
- You are on the approach to a corner, bend, dip in the road, hump-back bridge, brow of a hill or on a narrow road.
- You are in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway when traffic is moving at normal speed.
- It would cause danger or inconvenience to another road user.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When may you overtake on the left?
“You may overtake on the left when”
- You want to go straight ahead when the driver in front of you has moved out and signalled that they intend to turn right.
- You have signalled that you intend to turn left.
- Traffic in both lanes is moving slowly but traffic in the left-hand lane is moving more quickly than the right-hand lane - for example, in slow-moving stop-start traffic.
“You must normally overtake on the right.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do when someone overtakes you?
- Continue at the same pace, unless it becomes unsafe to do so.
- Keep as near to the left as is safe.
- Do not accelerate.
- Be alert in case the overtaking vehicle suddenly pulls back in front of you.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How do you move back in after overtaking?
“When you are well past, check the mirror, signal and gradually move in again making sure not to cut across the vehicle you have passed.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Where should you position your car on the road?
“Make sure you drive your vehicle far enough to the left to allow traffic to safely pass or overtake on the right, but not so far to the left that you are driving on a cycle lane or blocking or endangering cyclists or pedestrians.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What must you do before moving off from the kerb?
“Before moving off from the kerb, you must take the appropriate all around observations, check your mirrors and signal, just before moving off check the blind spot to the relevant side, over the right shoulder if moving off to the right or over the left shoulder if moving to the left.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you reverse from a minor road onto a major road?
“You must not reverse from a minor road onto a major road as it is unsafe to do so.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
When may you make a U-turn?
“You must not make a U-turn unless traffic conditions make it completely safe to do so.”
- Check there are no signs or road markings prohibiting a U-turn, for example a continuous centre white line.
- Check that the road is not one way.
- Look for a safe place, where you can see clearly in all directions.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Parking and Stopping
What should you do when you park?
- Where possible, park facing in the direction of traffic flow.
- Apply the handbrake.
- Switch off the engine.
- Leave the vehicle in first gear or reverse, or, in the case of an automatic, select P.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How close to a junction may you park?
“Even if you do not see a particular 'no parking' sign or yellow line on the road, you must not stop or park:”
- within 5 metres of a road junction unless parking spaces are clearly marked
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How close to a pedestrian crossing may you park?
“Even if you do not see a particular 'no parking' sign or yellow line on the road, you must not stop or park:”
- where there are white or yellow zig-zag lines on either side of pedestrian lights or either side of pelican or zebra crossings
- 15 metres before or 5 metres after a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you park in a bus lane?
“Even if you do not see a particular 'no parking' sign or yellow line on the road, you must not stop or park:”
- in a contra-flow bus lane at any time or in a with-flow bus lane during the hours the bus lane is in force
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What do double yellow lines mean?
“The double yellow lines mean no parking at any time.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What does a single yellow line mean?
“This single yellow line usually has an upright information plate nearby. Together, the road marking and information plate mean you must not park during the times shown.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Where must you never park?
“You must never park:”
- at a corner, a bend, the brow of a hill or on a hump-back bridge
- where there is a sharp dip in the road
- anywhere that blocks the view of a school warden or junior school warden service – this restriction does not apply to a vehicle displaying a disabled persons parking permit.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Motorways
Who must not use a motorway?
“the following must not enter a motorway:”
- people who do not hold a full driving licence for the category of vehicle they are driving
- vehicles incapable of a speed of at least 50kmh
- vehicles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less
- cyclists
- pedestrians
- animals
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the speed limit on a motorway?
“The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 120km per hour unless:”
- there are signs stating another speed limit - for example, warning signs to highlight roadworks
- you are driving a vehicle that is subject to a lower limit such as a bus or truck
- a permanent lower speed limit is in force for traffic safety reasons
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How do you join a motorway?
- Use the acceleration lane to build up your speed before merging into traffic on the motorway.
- Signal early to other motorists that you intend to merge.
- Give way to traffic already on the motorway.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Which is Lane 1 on a motorway, and when should you stay in it?
“Lane 1 is the lane nearest the auxiliary lane or hard shoulder.”
“The normal 'keep left' rule applies. Stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What are you not allowed to do on a motorway?
- You must only drive ahead. No turning or reversing is permitted.
- You must not stop or park on any part of the motorway unless your vehicle breaks down or you are signalled by a Garda to do so.
- You must not pick up or set down anybody on a motorway.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if you miss your motorway exit?
“If you miss your exit, drive on to the next exit. You must not attempt to cross the ghost island or reverse back up the hard shoulder.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if you find yourself driving against the traffic on a motorway?
“If you find yourself driving against the flow of traffic, pull in immediately to the hard shoulder and stop. Contact the Gardaí by dialling 999 or 112. Do not attempt to turn your vehicle. Wait for help in a safe place.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Learner Permits and Licences
Who must be with a learner car driver?
“Under the Graduated Driver Licence GDL system, learner drivers must always be accompanied by a fully qualified driver (not a novice).”
“A qualified driver is a person who has held a full driving licence in the same category for a continuous period of 2 years.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the penalty for a learner driving unaccompanied?
“A learner driver detected of driving unaccompanied faces a €160 fine and two penalty points if paid within 28 days, a €240 fine and two penalty points if paid within the next 28 days and €240 and four penalty points if convicted in court.”
“A vehicle being driven by an unaccompanied learner driver can be seized by Gardaí.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What L-plates must a learner display?
“Learner permit holders for all categories (except W) must display 'L' plates on both the front and rear of their vehicles while they are driving. These plates should feature a red 'L' on a white background, with the letter measuring at least 15cm in height and a border of at least 2cm.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is Essential Driver Training?
“All holders of their first learner permit issued from 4 April 2011 must undertake Essential Driver Training (EDT) with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).”
“The course is made up of 12 individual one-hour sessions.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the six-month rule?
“Before you can take your driving test you must have held your first learner permit for at least six months.”
Source: Preparing for your driving test (Road Safety Authority, June 2024)
May a learner drive on a motorway?
“As a learner permit holder, you must not drive on a motorway. It is an offence to do so.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May a learner car driver tow a trailer?
“Learner permit holders driving vehicles in Categories B, C, C1, D or D1 (cars, trucks or buses) must not tow a trailer.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How long must a newly qualified driver display N-plates?
“As a novice driver, you must display N-plates on your vehicle for 2 years.”
“If you are a first time holder of a full driving licence, you will be considered a 'novice driver' for 2 years from the date you received your first full licence.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How many penalty points lead to a ban for a first-time learner?
“A first-time learner driver who receives 7 points in a 36-month period will be banned from driving for 6 months.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Fit to Drive
What is the drink-drive limit for a learner?
“The drink-drive limit for learners, newly qualified drivers (for a period of two years after passing the driving test) and professional drivers such as bus, goods vehicle and public service vehicle drivers (PSV) is 20 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
How much can you drink and still drive under the limit?
“There is no reliable way to tell how much you can drink before you exceed the legal limit. Our best advice is to never ever drink and drive.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Do the drug-driving laws cover medicines?
“Intoxicants include alcohol and drugs, whether taken separately or together. The word 'drugs' here includes legal prescribed and over the counter (OTC) medicines.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you refuse a breath test at a Garda checkpoint?
“Gardaí can set up checkpoints to take roadside breath samples without the need to form the opinion that you have consumed an intoxicant. It is a criminal offence to refuse to provide a sample.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
May you use a hand-held mobile phone while driving?
“You must not drive a vehicle or ride a motorbike while using a hand-held mobile phone. It is an offence, for which you may receive a fixed charge and up to 5 penalty points.”
“You may only use your mobile phone when you are driving if you are phoning 999 or 112, or you are responding to another type of genuine emergency.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What is the penalty for texting while driving?
“You must not send a text message or email or read a text message or email from a mobile phone while driving a vehicle or riding a motorbike. It is an offence for which a person will face a compulsory court appearance and a fine to be determined by the judge.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if you feel tired while driving?
- Never drive if you are fighting sleep.
- Stop in a safe place when you feel tired.
- Drink a cup or two of strong coffee or a caffeinated drink and take a nap for a maximum of 20 minutes (set the alarm on your mobile phone).
“If you are suffering from a serious lack of sleep, the only cure is sleep.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Incidents and Breakdowns
What must you do if you are involved in an incident?
“If you are involved in an incident, you must stop your vehicle and remain at the scene for a reasonable time. If anyone is injured or appears to need assistance, the driver of the vehicle must offer assistance.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Someone is injured and no Garda is at the scene. What must you do?
“If you or another person is injured and there is no Garda at the scene, the accident must be reported to the nearest Garda station.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
Where should you place a warning triangle?
“If you have a reflective advance-warning triangle, (heavy vehicles and buses must have one), place it on the road far enough from the scene of the incident to give enough warning to approaching traffic. A warning triangle should not, however, be used on a motorway or in a place where it would be unsafe.”
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if you arrive at the scene of an incident?
- Do switch off the engine and apply the handbrake.
- Do switch on hazard warning lights and parking lights.
- Do call for help. Contact the emergency services on 999 or 112.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you not do for an injured person at a crash?
- Don't move an injured person unless there is a risk of fire or of the vehicle turning over.
- Don't remove helmets from injured motorcyclists.
- Don't give an injured person anything to eat or drink.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if you break down on a motorway?
- Move your vehicle to the hard shoulder. Park as near to the left as you can.
- Where possible always step over and stay behind the crash barrier, ensuring your passengers do the same.
- Do not place any warning device such as a triangle on the motorway as it is too dangerous.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
What should you do if your car stalls on a level crossing?
“If your vehicle stalls or an animal strays on the railway:”
- Move everyone well clear of the railway.
- Leave the animal or vehicle where it is.
- Tell the railway controller, using the phone number displayed at the crossing.
- State the 'crossing number' shown at the crossing.
Source: Rules of the Road (Road Safety Authority, law as at 1 March 2025)
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