Road Signs Ireland
Road signs are really important for keeping Ireland's roads safe. If you're learning to drive and want to pass your driving test, you need to know a good chunk of these signs.
Simply put, road signs fall into four groups. These are: rules for the road signs, warning signs, information signs, and signs you see on highways.
Let's look at some signs from the warning group.
Dangerous Corner: If you're driving somewhere for the first time, you can't always guess what the road will look like. Even if a road seems safe, it could have a Dangerous Corner, which could be tricky to navigate.
The Dangerous Corner sign looks like a right-angle arrow. It usually points in the direction the turn is going to be.
This sign gives drivers a heads-up about which way the road is going to bend and how tight the bend will be.
When you see a Dangerous Corner sign, it's a good idea to slow down and pay extra attention to how the road is laid out. This way, you can drive safely and handle the turn properly.
Roundabout Ahead: Roundabouts are common on roads all over, and Ireland is no different. You can find roundabouts even in the countryside, and in fancier neighbourhoods, there are complicated road structures that include roundabouts.
A Roundabout Ahead sign looks like three round arrows making a circle of the same size.
When you see this sign, it means there's a big roundabout coming up.
So, you should slow down and get ready for what you might see when you get to the roundabout.
Mini Roundabout: This is a bit different from the regular roundabouts we talked about before. The size of a roundabout can change how drivers act on the road.
So, besides knowing what a roundabout sign looks like, it's also important to know how big the roundabout will be.
A Mini Roundabout sign has a dot in the middle, surrounded by three curved lines that make a circle. The curved lines have little arrows, just like on the main roundabout sign.
When you see a sign like this, it usually means there's a smaller, less busy roundabout ahead. But even though it's smaller, you should still slow down and be careful as you get closer.
Merging Traffic: In crowded places, sometimes two busy roads come together at a slant, not quite like a T-junction. Usually, the road they're merging into only goes one way.
When you're coming up on a place where roads merge like this, it's really important to slow down.
But, lots of drivers don't think of this as a real junction, so they keep going at the same speed.
That's why there's a Merging Traffic sign. It's there to remind drivers to watch their speed when they're getting close to where the roads come together.
Two-Way Traffic: This is also called a double lane. It's pretty common to see two big roads right next to each other, separated by a strip of concrete that has big street lights on it, especially in Irish cities.
When you're getting close to a road like this, you'll see a sign with two arrows side by side, each pointing a different way.
When drivers see this sign, they should get ready to follow the rules for driving on this kind of road.
For instance, they need to know when to be in the fast lane or the slow lane. Also, they should be careful when they're moving from the fast lane to the slow lane or the other way around.
Dangerous Bend Ahead: Don't mix this up with a Dangerous Corner. They're different. One is a bend and the other is a corner.
While a corner gently changes direction, a bend changes direction more quickly. The sign for a Dangerous Bend looks just like an arrow that's gently curving.
In short, when you see a Dangerous Corner, you should be patient and careful. When you see a Dangerous Bend, you should also slow down and be careful, especially as you drive along the part of the road that bends.
Series of Dangerous Bends Ahead: Some roads can be really twisty and turny. You'll find roads like this in places with bumpy landscapes, like rolling hills or mountains, or places with lots of water.
When road builders are working in places like this, they sometimes don't have many choices in how they can make the roads easy to drive on. This can lead to a bunch of dangerous bends.
When roads are like this, the best way to keep everyone safe is to put up a warning sign that says "Series of Dangerous Bends Ahead." This sign usually looks like a wavy arrow, to show there are lots of bends.
It's not unusual for roads like this to also have lots of speed bumps. These are put in to make sure drivers slow down when they're going around the bends.
Restricted Headroom: Some roads or areas are picky about the kind of vehicles they let in. This can be because of the road's size or maybe for safety reasons.
On roads like this, you'll see signs that show how tall a vehicle can be to use that road. If your vehicle is taller than what the sign says, you might not be allowed to go on that road.
A lot of times, there's a barrier at the start of the road to stop vehicles that are too tall from getting on.
T-Junction: This kind of road is pretty usual. You can find it in the countryside and in cities.
Most of the time, it's where a smaller road meets a bigger highway. The sign for a T-Junction looks like a thin, short line going up and down, with a longer, thicker line going across.
Series of Dangerous Corners Ahead: The sign for this warning can be a bit scary, and often the road itself is just as tricky.
Driving carelessly on roads like this isn't a good idea.
The way these roads are built is a lot like the Dangerous Bends we talked about before. And, like those roads, it's not unusual for these ones to have speed bumps too.
If you see a sign with two sharp bends right after each other, so it looks like the letter "N," you should know you're coming up on a dangerous corner.
With all that said, let's look at a full list of the road signs you might see in Ireland and the groups they belong to.
These signs are key to keeping you safe while you're driving. As the name says, their job is to let you know when there's something dangerous up ahead. For easier understanding, they're sorted into a few smaller groups.
Hazards ahead: as mentioned earlier, they are used to warn road users of an incoming danger
Dangerous corner ahead
Roundabout ahead
Mini-roundabout ahead
Merging traffic
Two-way traffic
Dangerous bend ahead
Series of dangerous bends ahead
Series of dangerous corners ahead
Restricted headroom
T-junction
Junctions ahead: With roads of varying importance or roads of equal importance
Warning traffic signs
Advanced warning of major roads
T-junctions of a dual carriage way
Crossroads with dual carriage way
Crossroads
General-purpose warning signs
Drive on left
Safe height plate
Low-flying aircrafts
Road divides
Merging/diverging traffic
Dual carriage ends
Traffic crossover ahead
Overhead electric cables
Traffic signals ahead
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Slippery road ahead.
Road narrows on both sides
Road narrows from left
Road narrows from right
Tunnel ahead
Cyclists
Start of a passing lane
lane loss
Start of a climbing lane
Loop road ahead
Sharp dip ahead
Series of bumps ahead
Sharp rise ahead
Wild animals ahead
Sheep
Cattle and farm animals
Accompanied horses and ponies
Crosswinds
Steep descent ahead
Steep ascent ahead
Danger of falling rocks
Unprotected quay, canal or river
Low bridge ahead
Level crossing ahead, guarded by gates or lifting barrier
Level crossing ahead, unguarded by gates or lifting barrier
Level crossing ahead, guarded by gates or lifting barriers
Stop when lights are red
Automatic level crossing ahead
Chevron board (left or right direction)
T-junction
Y-junction
Side road
Crossroads
Staggered crossroads
Warning Signs for Schools and Kids
School ahead
School children crossing ahead
Children crossing ahead (in academic area)
Children crossing ahead (in residential areas)
Tram signs
Tram lane crossing ahead
Tram lane warning signs for pedestrians(look right, look left, and look both ways)
Slippery for cyclists
Warning signs for road works
Road works ahead
One-lane crossover (out)
One-lane crossover (back)
Move to leave (one lane)
Move to right (one lane)
Move to left (two lanes)
Move to right (two lanes)
Obstruction between lanes
End of obstruction between lanes
Start of central reserve or obstruction
End of central reserve or obstruction
Lanes diverge at crossover
Lanes rejoin at crossover
Two-lanes crossover (back)
Two-lanes crossover (out)
Single-lane (for shuttle working)
Two-way traffic
Road narrows from left
Road narrows from right
Road narrows on both sides
Offside lane (of two) closed
Nearside lane (of two) closed
Offside lane (of three) closed
Nearside lane (of three) closed
Two offside lanes (of three) closed
Two nearside lanes (of three) closed. Two alternative styles
Offside lane (of four) closed
Nearside lane (of four) closed
Two offside lanes (of four) closed
Two nearside lanes (of four) closed
Side road on left
Side road on right
Site access on left
Site access on right
Temporary traffic
signals ahead
Flagman ahead
Queues likely Hump or ramp
Uneven surface
Slippery road
Loose chippings
Pedestrians cross To left
Pedestrians cross To right
Overhead electric cables
Detour ahead
Detour to left
Detour to right
Road closed
Diverted traffic left
Diverted traffic
Diverted traffic
Diverted traffic
End of detour
Detour destination
Information plates at road works
Distance
Length
Direction
Direction and distance
End
Cautionary speed
Slow
Concealed Entrance
Type of works
Use hard shoulder
Hard shoulder closed
Unfinished road surface
Barrier board
Chevron board
Speed limit ahead
Manual traffic control signs at roads
Flagman ahead
Stop
Either form of Go or Téigh can be used
Regulatory signs are essential traffic signals that mandate a driver to comply with specific instructions. These are also referred to as traffic management signs. This category of signage is particularly critical for novice drivers or those unfamiliar with the area, as these signs guide them in adhering to local traffic laws and avoiding potential severe penalties.
Regulatory traffic signs
They include the following
Stop
Yield
School wardens stop sign
No left turn
No entry or ‘No straight ahead’
No right turn
Parking prohibited
Clearway
Max speed limit 30kmh
Max speed limit 50kmh
Max speed limit 60kmh
Max speed limit 80kmh
Max speed limit 100kmh
Max speed limit 120kmh
Speed limits per lane
No bicycles
No ridden or accompanied horses
No entry to vehicles
Mandatory signs at junctions: these are usually in white and blue colours.
Maximum gross weight (traffic management)
Maximum vehicle length
Maximum vehicle width
Maximum axle weight
No overtaking for three-axle vehicles
No horse carriages
Height restriction
Taxi rank
No entry for large vehicles (by reference to weight)
No U-turn
No overtaking
Height restriction
Pedestrianised street
Parking permitted
Disc parking plate
Zonal restriction – parking of large vehicles
End of the restriction zone
Turn left ahead
Turn right ahead
Turn left Turn right Straight ahead
Keep left
Keep right
Pass either side
Mini roundabout
Manual traffic control sign at road works
Stop
Go
No entry to goods vehicles (by reference to number of axles)
no entry for pedestrians to tramway
With flow bus lane on left
With flow bus lane on right
Contra flow bus lane
Tram lane on left
Tram lane on right
Start of cycle track
End of cycle track
Electronic variable speed
limit sign (tunnel only)
Variable speed limit
Electronic periodic speed limit sign
Electronic periodic speed limit sign at school
Tram only street
Tram and access only street
Bus only street
Turn back
Pedestrians and bicycles only
Separate bicycle and pedestrian lanes
Traffic lane control signs: this category of regulatory traffic signs is useful in tunnels, national roads and motorways.
Go (Lane open)
Stop (Lane closed)
Move into the left-hand lane
Move into the right-hand lane
Variable message signs (VMS)
Overhead VWS
Mobile VMS displaying text message
Mobile VMS displaying chevrons
VMS chevron formats
Information Road Signs
Usually in rectangular forms, they provide guidance and information for drivers; helping them explores interstate roads without having to ask passersby, pedestrians, or fellow road users for directions.
Advance direction signs
Motorway
National road
National road
Regional road
Lane destination sign
Dublin Port Tunnel ahead
Direction signs at junctions
Motorway direction sign
National road direction signs
Regional road direction sign
Regional road direction sign
Local road direction sign
Destination distance sign
Town or village sign
Cycle track information signs with numbers referring to mapped cycle routes
Slow lane sign
Cul-de-sac
Industrial estate symbol
Disabled persons parking bay
Airport symbol
Ferry symbol
Alternative route for high vehicles
Lay-by ahead sign
Hospital ahead sign
Lay-by sign
Hospital sign
Car park with facilities for disabled persons
SOS lay-by
Speed camera
Speed limit change ahead
Advance information sign for low clearance
Advance information sign for low clearance
Alternative route for heavy vehicles
Traffic calming sign
Traffic calming sign
Supplementary plate
Ramps on road
Advance sign for facilities in lay-by
Advance sign for lay-by with tourism information
Sign for youth hostels
Advance direction to local services
Signing to approved tourist information
Alternative route off the motorway
Tourist advanced direction sign
Tourist attraction direction sign
Pedestrian sign to a tourist attraction
Pedestrian sign to a car park
Sign to approved tourist information points
Tourist information signs
Motorway signs
These are signs that are basically aimed to help drivers have an idea of the road type they are on to and what type of road to expect a few meters away.
Motorway ahead
Motorway ahead
Advance direction sign
Route confirmatory sign with Euro Route marker plate
Entry to motorway
300m to next exit
200m to next exit
100m to next exit
The motorway ends 1km ahead
Motorway ends 500m ahead
End of motorway
Typical lane gain sign
Advance direction for destination
Typical 2km next exit sign
Toll plaza ahead
Route confirmatory sign for M7
Toll plaza information sign
Authorized vehicles only
Garda only
Toll charges
Toll plaza
Motorway service plaza
information sign
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