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Driving in Ireland while Owning a UK and NI Driving License? obtain a driving license in Northern Ireland When may one purchase a driving license in Northern Ireland? How much does the DVA charge for a driving license in Northern Ireland? In which part of Northern Ireland is driving the cheapest? Is it legal to purchase a driving license in Northern Ireland? In order to guarantee best practices, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) of Northern Ireland is reviewing its future online license checking program. The Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV), which speaks for the requirements of the UK fleet industry for license checking, recommended starting the review.

Driving in Ireland while Owning a UK and NI Driving License? system is being implemented, with the first steps having been done as part of a DVA reform effort. In later stages, this would replace the current paper-based mandate system with a new online service for checking licenses, among other service advancements.

License Requirements for Driving

When driving, you should always have a current driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. You can drive in Northern Ireland with your national driver’s license, but you have to be at least the legal age. You need to be

• A minimum of 17 years old to operate a vehicle
• To operate a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of no more than 125cc or a power output of no more than 11kW, you must be 17 years old.
• 19 or older to operate a motorcycle with a maximum power of 35kW.
• 21 years of age or older to operate a motorcycle with any size or power.
• It is not permissible to use a temporary (learner’s) driver’s license obtained outside of the UK or Northern Ireland within the country.

Vehicle Insurance

• Driving a foreign-registered car in Northern Ireland without sufficient auto insurance is prohibited. Make plans before you leave if you do not have a Northern Ireland-valid insurance certificate.
• Third-party insurance is the bare minimum.
• If you plan to drive in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland while operating a leased car, check sure the insurance covers both driving in those regions.

Automobiles

In Northern Ireland, cars are typically equipped with the driver’s seat on the right side and are driven on the left side of the road. Prior to hopping behind the wheel, spend some time getting acquainted with the car’s controls, particularly the steering, foot pedals, gear stick, lights, indicators, and wipers.

• Sidelights are an essential between dusk and dawn.
• At night (between thirty minutes after sundown and thirty minutes before sunrise), you have to use headlights.
• When visibility is significantly decreased, usually to fewer than 100 meters, you must use headlights.
• When visibility is low, you can use your front and rear fog lights; but, when visibility is better, you must turn them off.
• Any usage of lights that could blind or discomfort other drivers, including bicycles, pedestrians, and horseback riders, is prohibited.
• If your car has left-hand drive, make sure the headlights are turned to the left when driving; if not, you run the danger of getting pulled over by the authorities.

Driving Regulations

1. Unless otherwise indicated by road signs or markings, one should always drive on the left side of the road.
2. Whenever you drive, whenever you approach a junction, and whenever you pull out onto a road, you have to keep in mind to stay to the left.
3. Prior to making any kind of maneuver, such as pulling off, shifting positions on the road, or stopping and changing directions, always look out for other drivers and give a signal.
4. If you are not securely passing or turning off the road, do not cross the center line.
5. Numerous highways only have one lane going in each direction, while others occasionally have “passing lanes.” There are some tiny roads without center line markings to help you navigate.
6. When there is a double white center line, cars cannot pass other vehicles on either side of the road.
7. It is only safe to pass when you can see that the road ahead is clear if there isn’t a strong white line on your side of the center line.
8. Prior to passing, consider your move and never pass on or close to a bend.
9. When driving on a two-lane dual carriageway, you should stay in the left-hand lane most of the time and move into the right-hand lane only when it is safe to do so in order to pass slower-moving vehicles. If you are turning right on a dual carriageway, you might have to move to the right hand lane.

Limits on speed

Speed limits are the absolute maximum allowed on a given route; you should always slow down to accommodate for factors including the state of the road, other users’ presence—especially those who are more vulnerable—weather, visibility, and time of day.

While speed restrictions in ROI are displayed in kilometers per hour (km/h), those in Northern Ireland are displayed in miles per hour (mph).

1. The following are the speed restrictions that are most typical in NI:
2. Up to 30 mph in populated areas, unless otherwise noted.
3. Outside of populated regions: 60 mph.
4. Up to 70 mph on motorways and multiple carriageways.
5. On freeways, variable speed limits indicated by roadside or overhead signs are common.
6. 20 mph speed limits are becoming more prevalent in urban areas.

• Must not use the outside lane of a motorway with three or more lanes
• Restricted to 50 mph on single carriageway roads outside built-up areas
• Restricted to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Children and Seat Belts in Automobiles

• All passengers in cars, both front and rear, are required to buckle up.
• Youngsters under three
• Must use a child restraint in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles) that is suitable for their age and weight.
• The lone exemption is that if the appropriate child restraint is not available, a kid under three may ride unrestrained in the back of a taxi.
• It is not recommended to use rear-facing infant seats in frontal airbag-protected seats unless the airbag has been disabled.

Children 3 to 11 years and under 135cm in height

• Must use an appropriate child restraint at all times when travelling in the front seat.
• Must use the correct child restraint in the rear where adult seat belts are fitted.
• May use an adult seat belt in the rear.
• In a taxi, if the correct child restraint is not available.
• For a short and occasional trip if the correct child restraint is not available.
• Where two occupied child restraints in the rear prevent the use of a third.

Drinking and Driving

Driving in Ireland while Owning a UK and NI Driving License?

NEVER EVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the blood is 0.08 per cent.

The police may also carry out tests to detect a driver who may be under the influence of narcotics.

A positive reading for excess alcohol or a positive reading for several drugs will result in prosecution.

Some psychotropic medications may be included – drivers must enquire as to the acceptable safe dosage for driving and they must carry a prescription on board their vehicles.

Signals for traffic lights

Taking Shared Roads

• Automobiles never have the right of way, but the Highway Code provides guidelines on when to yield to other users.
• Particularly at pedestrian (or zebra) crossings and junctions, drivers must keep an eye out for people crossing the street.
• Never pass a cyclist at a faster speed. Try to leave a gap of 1.5 meters and move gently and only when it’s safe to do so.
• When you see animals on the road, move cautiously and at a slower speed. Don’t let your horn go off.

Be Aware of Bus Lanes

You should be aware that there are bus lanes in some cities and on some sections of highways. These are designated by signs on the side of the road that read “BUS LANE” in large letters, and sometimes the tarmac will be red. This lane is only for use by emergency vehicles and public buses; bicycles, motorbikes, and taxis are allowed if a sign is present. If anyone else uses this lane, they will be fined £60 and have their photos taken by automated cameras.

Advanced stop lines for safe driving practices:

Advanced stop lines at certain signal-controlled intersections enable cycles to pass other vehicles. Even though your car is in the designated area, you have to stop at the second white line if you drove over the first one when the light turned red. Give bikers enough time and room to exit when the green light appears.