Understanding Irish Road Signs

The Three Main Types of Road Signs

Irish road signs fall into three categories, each with a distinct shape and colour scheme. Learning to recognise the type of sign at a glance is just as important as knowing the specific meaning.

1. Regulatory Signs (Circular)

Regulatory signs are circular and tell you what you must or must not do. They are legally enforceable.

Prohibitory Signs

White background with a red border. These tell you what you must NOT do:

No entry — Red circle with white horizontal bar
Speed limits — Red circle with the speed in km/h (e.g. 50, 80, 100, 120)
No overtaking — Red circle with two cars side by side
No parking — Red circle with blue background and red diagonal line
No U-turn — Red circle with a U-turn arrow crossed out

Mandatory Signs

Blue background with white symbols. These tell you what you MUST do:

Turn left/right only — White arrow on blue circle
Keep left/right — White arrow pointing down-left/down-right
Roundabout — White arrows in a circle
Minimum speed — White number on blue background

Remember: Red border = prohibition (don't do this). Blue background = mandatory (you must do this).

2. Warning Signs (Diamond-Shaped)

Warning signs are diamond-shaped with a yellow/amber background and black symbols. They warn you of hazards or changes in road conditions ahead.

Common warning signs include:

Bend ahead — Curved arrow (left or right)
Junction ahead — Cross or T-shaped symbol
Roundabout ahead — Circular arrow symbol
Traffic lights ahead — Traffic light symbol
Pedestrian crossing — Person walking symbol
School ahead — Children walking symbol
Slippery road — Car with skid marks
Road narrows — Narrowing lines
Level crossing — Train symbol
Steep hill — Gradient percentage shown

Tip: Warning signs give you advance notice. When you see one, you should adjust your speed and be prepared for the hazard.

3. Information Signs (Rectangular)

Information signs are rectangular and provide useful information about directions, distances, and facilities.

Direction Signs

Green background — Motorway signs (white text)
Blue background — National road direction signs
White background — Regional and local road signs
Brown background — Tourist/heritage sites

Motorway Signs

Motorway starts — Green sign with white "M" and motorway symbol
Motorway ends — Same symbol with red diagonal line through it
Exit signs — Green signs showing exit number and destinations

Road Markings

Road markings are also covered in the theory test:

Continuous white line — Do not cross or straddle
Broken white line — You may cross if safe to do so
Double yellow lines — No parking at any time
Single yellow line — No parking during specified hours
Yellow box junction — Do not enter unless you can clear it (exception: turning right)
Zig-zag lines — No parking or overtaking near a pedestrian crossing

Traffic Lights

Red — Stop and wait behind the stop line
Amber — Stop if you can do so safely (do NOT accelerate to beat it)
Green — Proceed if the way is clear
Flashing amber — Proceed with caution (often at pedestrian crossings)
Green arrow — You may proceed in the direction of the arrow

Common theory test mistake: Many people get caught on the amber light question. You should stop at an amber light unless you are so close to the stop line that stopping would be dangerous.

Useful Links

RSA — Road Signs