Guide to Driving In Northern Ireland - Drive Safe in Northern Ireland

Wearing a seat belt is mandatory for both drivers and passengers. 

You must have the following on you at all times when driving in Northern Ireland:

• Full driving licence
• Car registration documents
• Car insurance documents

The minimum age to drive a vehicle in Northern Ireland is the same as the UK. You must be 17 years of age. If you are wishing to hire a car you need to be at least 21 years of age. 

It is possible to use a safety camera-warning device in Northern Ireland and they are available to buy from a range of shops, however it will not necessary warn you to every speed camera and therefore they should be used with caution.

On the spot fines do not really exist in Northern Ireland, however it is possible to be pulled over by the police force for offenses such as speeding. A fixed penalty notice can be given plus a £100 fine.

All children up to 135 cms in height or up to 12 years of age, must use a suitable child seat. Any child under the age of 14 must wear a seat belt or be in the correct child restraint.

All drivers in Northern Ireland must be fully insured to drive the vehicle and it is advisable to keep insurance documents on you at all times. 

Drinking alcohol and then driving is against the law in Northern Ireland and there are strict limits for drivers. If you are suspected of having consumed alcohol whilst driving, you may be stopped and asked to do a breathalyser test. The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Northern Ireland is:

• 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
• 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.

The advice is not to drive at all if you have had a drink. 

A category B vehicle may have a trailer attached provided the combination of the two does not exceed 3,500kgs MAM. The exeption to this is if a category B licence holder needed to tow a broken down vehicle to remove it from a position of danger or obstruction. 

Speed Limit	Type of Road
30mph	Built up areas
60mph	Single Carriageways
70mph	Motorways
20mph	Near schools or with a lot of pedestrians
50mph	Roads with sharp bends

Using a phone whilst driving is against the law in Northern Ireland and if you are caught penalty points and fines can be given. It is possible to use a phone only with a in car hands free set. 

Traffic lights operate the same in the UK and Northern Ireland. Passengers are required by law to stop at a red traffic light and may face penalty points or a fine if this is not adhered to. 

There are currently no toll roads in Northern Ireland. If you were driving from Northern Ireland into the republic of Ireland you could encounter a toll.