Driving in Ireland vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Ireland and Norway, two nations with distinct driving cultures. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol allowances and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for safe travel abroad. Prepare for a unique driving experience by familiarizing yourself with these vital distinctions.
Lanes
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
norway:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ireland:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
norway:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
norway:
Yes, typically required