Is It Hard to Drive on the Left Side of the Road in Ireland?
Understanding the Challenge: Is It Hard to Drive on the Left Side of the Road in Ireland?
Yes, for about a day. Then the real challenge begins: the roads themselves.
For North Americans, the idea of driving on the left can be the single biggest source of pre-trip anxiety. The good news is that most visitors adapt within a day or two. The bigger adjustment is not which side of the road you are on, but how narrow that road turns out to be.
Many travellers find themselves asking, Is It Hard to Drive on the Left Side of the Road in Ireland? This question often sparks curiosity and concern.
Start with the car. Manual transmissions, or stick shifts, are the default in Ireland, and they are cheaper to rent. If you do not drive a manual every day at home, pay extra for an automatic. Shifting gears with your left hand while navigating a roundabout on the opposite side of the road is a lot to ask of your brain on day one. Automatics are in shorter supply, so reserve well in advance, especially for summer.
Choose the smallest car that fits your group and luggage. Rural roads, particularly in Kerry, Clare and Donegal, are often barely wide enough for two cars, lined with stone walls or thick hedges, and occasionally shared with sheep, cyclists and tractors. A compact car makes passing far less stressful.
A few rules of the road help enormously. Roundabouts are everywhere: give way to traffic coming from your right and travel clockwise. Speed limits in the Republic are posted in kilometres per hour, while Northern Ireland uses miles per hour, so watch the signs when you cross the border. The driver should always be positioned toward the centre line, a handy mantra when you feel yourself drifting left.
Avoid driving straight off a long-haul overnight flight. Jet lag and an unfamiliar car are a poor combination. Many travellers spend their first days in Dublin, where you do not need a car at all, and pick up their rental on the way out of the city.
On narrow lanes, local etiquette rules. Drivers pull into gaps and lay-bys to let oncoming traffic pass, usually acknowledged with a lifted finger from the steering wheel. Return the gesture and you will fit right in. Do not rely blindly on GPS shortcuts either; they sometimes send visitors down single-track lanes that are better suited to a quad bike.
Insurance is another consideration. Many rental companies require you to buy their own collision damage waiver, and some credit card coverage is not accepted in Ireland, so read the fine print before you arrive.
Our verdict: it is very manageable. Rent an automatic, go small, take it slow and give yourself a few extra minutes on every journey.
