When learning to drive on Irish roads, you’ll notice a range of different road signs throughout your journey. These road signs, as in all countries around the world, are used to regulate behaviour on the roads and communicate the rules of the road you are on.
In this article, we will take you through the 5 different types of road signs and showcase some of the most common signs to remember and understand, to make your journey smoother.
The 5 types of road signs on Irish roads
In Ireland, our road signs are grouped into 5 different categories. These categories are Regulatory, Warning, Road Works, Information and Motorway, and they help to inform drivers of different actions needed and things to be aware of while driving. Let’s break them down a bit more below and look at a few examples.
Regulatory road signs
Regulatory road signs are used to inform drivers of the rules of the road. These signs must be obeyed. You will often see these signs at the beginning of a new road or area and at certain points throughout a journey to remind drivers to follow and obey the rules.
Examples of regulatory road signs:
Warning road signs
These signs warn road users of upcoming dangers or hazards ahead, whether due to dangerous bends or traffic calming and more. Warning signs are put in place to ensure drivers and road users safety. They are typically yellow and black.
Examples of warning road signs:
Warning signs for road works
When construction work is being carried out on a road, you will often see orange signs to warn drivers that there are road works ahead. These signs help to ensure that both the workers and the drivers are safe by notifying drivers when to slow, stop, or heed redirection.
Examples of warning signs for road works:
Information signs
These signs help to guide drivers by showing directions and locations of services or other places that are of interest to road users. They denote placenames, distances to cities, towns and villages, public services and places of interest. They are mostly green, but others occur in brown, blue and white and black and white.
Examples of information signs:
Motorway signs
Motorway signs help make drivers aware of the type of road they are on or are approaching. They also inform drivers of the approaching exits on a motorway. Motorway signs are rectangular and have a blue background with white writing and symbols.
Examples of motorway signs:
For the full list of road signs, please check out the RSA rules of the road book, which is available to download on their website.
Road signs for driving test
The driving test is split into two parts, an oral test and a practical test. The oral test will examine your knowledge of the rules of the road, including road signs. The practical test will examine your knowledge of basic vehicle roadworthiness and maintenance, in-car checks and secondary vehicle controls, while also testing your general driving skills and awareness.
It’s advisable to study the Irish road signs and the rules of the road before your driving test so you’re ready to answer any questions the examiner asks you throughout your test.
Also, before your driving test, be sure to check out our guide driving test tips to help you avoid any driving test stress!
