Ireland Road Signs Guide 2026

Shapes and colours

Traffic signs in Ireland fall into three main groups: regulatory signs, which you must obey; warning signs, which tell you about a hazard ahead; and information signs, which give directions and other useful facts. Each group has its own look, so you can often tell what a sign is about before you read it.

Regulatory signs have either a white background with a red border and black symbols, or a blue background with white symbols. A red diagonal bar across a symbol means that action is not allowed.

Many signs have a small information plate underneath. The plate can show the times a rule applies, the distance to a hazard, or which vehicles the rule covers. Always read it, because it can change what you are allowed to do.

Regulatory signs

STOP and YIELD

The STOP sign is a red octagon with a white border. You must stop completely at the continuous white stop line, even if the road looks empty, and go only when it is safe. The YIELD sign is an upside-down triangle. You must give way to traffic on the major road. It goes with a broken white yield line, and some versions say "Yield Right of Way" or "Géill Slí".

Speed limits

Speed limit signs show the maximum speed in kilometres per hour, with "km/h" printed under the number. The limit applies until you pass a sign showing a different limit. The motorway limit is 120 km/h.

A speed limit is the most you may drive, not a target. Drive slower when the road, weather or traffic makes it unsafe to go at the limit.

Things you must not do

The no entry sign is a red disc with a white bar. You will see it at the exit end of a one-way street. Turn and overtaking bans use a white circle with a red border, and a red bar across the arrow for turns.

A white circle with a red border and no symbol inside means no entry to vehicles. Width, height and weight limit signs use the same red-bordered circle with a number. If your vehicle is wider, higher or heavier than the number shown, you must not go past the sign.

Parking and clearways

The no parking sign shows a "P" with a red bar across it. An information plate under the sign shows the days and times it applies. A clearway must be kept clear of parked vehicles during the hours shown, so traffic can keep moving at busy times.

Things you must do

Blue circular signs give positive orders, such as keep left or turn left. A white bicycle on a blue circle marks the start of a cycle track, which is for cyclists.

Warning signs

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols. They do not give orders, but they tell you to slow down and get ready for a hazard. On junction signs the thicker line shows the major road.

Junctions and traffic control

Go round a roundabout clockwise and yield to traffic coming from your right. The STOP ahead and YIELD ahead signs warn you early, so you can slow down smoothly before the junction.

On the crossroads, T-junction and side road signs, the road you are on starts at the bottom of the sign. A side road sign can be reversed to show a junction on the left. The merging traffic sign warns that vehicles will join your road, so be ready to make room for them.

Bends and road layout

Slow down before a bend, not in it. On a steep descent, choose a lower gear so the engine helps hold your speed. A low bridge sign shows the height that can pass under it in metres. If your vehicle is higher, take another route.

Road surface

A slippery road needs gentle braking, steering and acceleration. Leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front.

People, animals, railways and trams

Near schools and crossings, expect children and other people to step out. Give cyclists plenty of room. Animals can move without warning, so slow down and do not sound your horn at them. At a level crossing or tram line, look and listen and never stop on the tracks.

Roadworks signs

Signs at roadworks are orange instead of yellow, so they stand out from permanent signs. They warn of workers, lane closures, temporary speed limits and diversions. Slow down, keep to the lanes shown and obey any temporary speed limit or person directing traffic.

Motorway and direction signs

Motorway signs are blue with white text and symbols. A distance under the motorway symbol tells you how far ahead the motorway starts. A red bar across the symbol means the motorway ends. Cyclists, pedestrians and learner drivers must not use motorways.

Direction signs on national roads are green, and those on local roads are white. Place names appear in both languages: the Irish name in italic letters and the English name in capital letters. On overhead lane control signs, a green arrow pointing down means the lane is open and a red X means it is closed.

Road signs in the theory test

You need to know road signs and road markings for the Irish driver theory test. The Rules of the Road explains each group of signs.

Use this guide together with the practice test. When you get a question wrong, come back to the chapter for that group of signs and look again at its shape and colours.

• Sort signs by shape first: circle, octagon, triangle, diamond or rectangle.
• Learn signs that look alike, such as "no parking" and "clearway", or "cyclists" and "cycle track".
• Know the road markings that go with STOP and YIELD signs.
• Read the question carefully: "What does it mean?" is not the same as "What should you do?".