Driving in Ireland vs. Montenegro: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Montenegro, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their journeys. With Ireland adhering to left-side travel and Montenegro favoring the right, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe and compliant driving experiences in each nation. Explore the key contrasts in lane usage, speed limits, and legal requirements to enhance your travel knowledge.
Lanes
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
montenegro:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
montenegro:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Montenegro |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
montenegro:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
montenegro:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
montenegro:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days