Welcome to our Ireland information and rental guidelines page.
Here you will find information you need to drive in Ireland and also below we have itemised some useful information when renting your car with us and resources to information you may require. We are fully aware of the importance of your car rental to you. If you are travelling on business or for pleasure we want to ensure that you receive the very best service and vehicle possible. Please browse through the following Frequently asked questions if you are looking for further detail on your impending car rental. We look forward to assisting you.
Car Safety
Your Irish Car Rental's vehicle will be provided to you in good condition, you, as the driver of the vehicle are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle, whilst in your care, is roadworthy and safe. We would suggest checking, Tyres, Brakes, Vehicle operation, Lights and other essential items before driving the car. Irish Car Rentals vehicles are covered by a fully comprehensive AA roadside assistance cover. Should you experience difficulty or require more information please contact Irish Car Rentals immediately.
Baby and Child Seats
New EU child safety protection laws have come into force making it compulsory for all children to travel in the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion. Child seats and baby seats are available to hire by prior notification at an additional cost per rental. Baby seats are NOT available for rental for children under 6 months old.
Where safety belts have been fitted they must be worn. Children under 3 years of age must not travel in a car or goods vehicle unless restrained in the correct child seat. Children aged 3 years or over who are under 150cms in height and weighing less than 36 kilograms (i.e. generally children up to 11/12 years old) must use the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in cars or goods vehicles. Children over 3 years of age must travel in a rear seat in vehicles not fitted with safety belts. Rearward-facing child car seats must never be used in the front passenger seat of cars with an active airbag.
In the front seat all children must either be in a child seat or wear a seat belt. There are no exceptions to this rule. In the rear seat children less than four years must use an appropriate child restraint. Children over 4 years must use an appropriate child restraint, where available, or a seat belt. Where airbags are fitted the renter should check the enclosed handbook about special precautions to be taken when using a child restraint in the front seat. Please ask what ages the children using the baby seats are and note this in the comments box of the Booking Form.
Seat Belts
Unless exempted, every person in a car is legally obliged to wear a seat belt where one is fitted. That includes drivers and front and rear passengers. Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure passengers aged under 17 use the correct seat, booster seat, booster cushion or seatbelt. Furthermore, there is an additional onus on drivers to ensure that persons under 17 are suitably restrained while they are in charge of the vehicle. Offences carry an on-the-spot fine of 60 euro. You must pay this fine within 28 days, or face an increased fine of 90 euro payable within 56 days of the offence. Two penalty points will be added to your licence if you opt not to go to court. If you are convicted in court for not wearing a seatbelt, four penalty points will be added to your licence and you will be liable to a €2,000 fine for a first offence.
Winter Driving Conditions
When driving in difficult driving conditions, the first most important safety precaution is to reduce your speed and leave a safe distance between yourself and the car in front. When driving in snow, be extra vigilant and reduce your speed further. Irish Car Rentals.com recommends Car Snow Socks which provide an affordable solution for additional traction on snow and ice. These snow socks are easy to put on and take off when needed.
Guidelines on Irish roads such as road Signs, warning road signs, road Markings and general safety are all covered.
Drink Driving
Drink driving is not tolerated and severe penalties are imposed on people who have a legal reading of over 80mg per 100ml of blood. This equates to approximately one Pint of Beer. Please do not attempt to drive whilst under the influence of Alcohol.
Safety is our priority - please make it your priority also.
Irish Car Rentals will make every effort to assist you in having a pleasant and safe driving experience. It is our priority to provide safe road worthy vehicles for your stay in Ireland. We ask all our clients to drive carefully on our roads which are very often narrow. The number of cars has increased on Irish roads in the last few years and it is now more important than ever that all drivers abide by the rules of the road and take great care when driving.
Official resources
- Road Safety Authority (RSA) - See here
- Driving in Ireland - See here
- Using the roads in Ireland - See here
PLEASE NOTE:
The information given on our website is provided "as is". Irish Car Rentals do not accept responsibility of ensuring the information provided is up to date or forms the basis of any agreement or is of a nature that can be used to verify any legal issue. Irish Car Rentals are not liable for any issue arising from the information contained in our website pages. The only agreement in force will be the rental agreement signed by the renter on collection of a vehicle. You accept these terms if you select to view or use the information provided on our website pages.
