Learner Resources

Rules of the Road

The official guide to driving safely and legally on Irish roads

About Rules of the Road

The Rules of the Road is your complete guide to driving safely and legally in Ireland. It's essential reading for all road users - drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. The Rules of the Road book covers everything you need to know about Irish road signs, road markings, vehicle safety, and proper driving behaviour.

Key topics covered

Traffic Signs

Learn about regulatory signs, warning signs, information signs, and road markings

Good driving practice

Understanding speed limits, proper positioning, and safe driving techniques

Safety Requirements

Vehicle safety, seat belts, child restraints, and vehicle lighting

Road Positioning

Correct use of lanes, turning procedures, and road positioning

The shapes, at a glance

Ireland uses diamond-shaped warning signs, not the triangles used in the UK.

Diamond

Warning — a hazard ahead

Red-bordered circle

Regulatory — something you must not do

Blue circle

Mandatory — something you must do

Rectangle

Information. Brown for tourist signs, orange for roadworks

Download the latest version

You can download the complete Rules of the Road book from the RSA website. Get the PDF version for the full book, free of charge.

Download PDF

Additional Resources

Visit the official RSA website for more resources, including:

Interactive quizzes

Video tutorials

Practice tests

Latest updates and amendments

Sitting the theory test next? The theory test guide covers the format, and the ten tips cover the studying.

Know the rules. Now drive them.

Lessons in Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire.