Driving Differences: Argentina vs. Ireland Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Argentina and Ireland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From the varied sides of the road they drive on to unique speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and seamless journey abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in their vehicular norms and safety measures.
Lanes
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
argentina:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
argentina:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
argentina:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
ireland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
argentina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
argentina:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Random breath testing is common. |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot