Driving in Ireland vs Slovakia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Slovakia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varied speed limits, and differing alcohol consumption laws. Familiarizing yourself with these vital contrasts enhances your travel experience and ensures adherence to local driving norms.
Lanes
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
slovakia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
slovakia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 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: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
slovakia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory and regular 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay