When driving in Ireland, would it be a good idea to obtain an "L" to put in your car window? Do you think other drivers would cut you a break then? Is it legal?

I have heard that it is not legal since to rent a car you have to be a qualified driver. I haven't had to many problems with the local drivers once they realized you are in a rental you are a tourist and they just go around you.

Anomy <BR> <BR>It isn't legal to display a L plate when driving - your licence could be checked if you are stopped at a checkpoint and if you were in an accident with a L plate then questions and problems could start. Check out www.roadwatch.ie for assistance on driving in Ireland, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Also, if you have the 'L', you can't go on the (rare) motorways. Just be aware of the traffic around you, and pull over (when it's safe) to let others pass...

You also can't go over a certain speed with L plates.

<BR>Uhhhh... <BR> <BR>"L" is for: loony? lethargic? loser? <BR> <BR>I'm assuming from the context that it's "learner", but you really *should* clue us in on these things.

The "L" is to indicate learner driver. I'm not certain of the legalities but I know kids learning to drive often use their parents car which has the "L" permanently attached, even when their parents drive the car. If you are a learner driver you're not supposed to travel on motorways, but many people do. The same speed limits apply to learner drivers as everybody else, despite what Lorrie has said. However learner drivers can tend to drive more slowly since they are learning & don't have the confidence to drive faster. Ultimately I would NOT put "L" plates on your car, people won't cut you any slack, it's likely to have the opposite effect. Finally as Kathleen has said, pull over (when it's safe to do so) to leave faster traffice pass, this is not a legal requirement, but is likely to make your driving expereience more relaxed..

Here in the UK the 'L Plate' for learner drivers is Red. You can also obtain the same plates in Green. The Green Plate is to use when you've just passed the test - it tells other drivers that, although you have passed you are not yet very experienced so hopefully they will make allowanaces for this. Don't know if this also applies to Ireland but it might be worth investigating.

There are no green "L" plates used in the Republic of Ireland.

I wouldn't worry about the other drivers in Ireland. We found them to be relatively courteous. The things to keep in mind are that you drive on the left and the roads are very narrow. Make sure to take advantage of the small narrow roads (buy a Michelin map) because that's where you come across the most beautiful and interesting scenery. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

Hi...My husband and I just got back from Ireland and we drove all over the place. Yes, the roads are very narrow but, we found driving not that bad especially if you know ahead of time where you are going and what direction you want to go. Look at your map before you start out and make sure you have a good idea where you want to go. The "round abouts" as the Irish called them, "rotary" as we call them can be confusing if you are not sure. There are alot of them in Ireland, and can be very stressful. Driving on the left you get used to very quickly. <BR>Hope this helps...Phyllis :=)

just got back from ireland and had a *wonderful* time driving all around -- it was much easier than we expected. we drove from dublin southward across the country and all over the west coast. while the roads are incredibly narrow, we found the other drivers to be remarkably courteous, often pulling over (when possible) to allow faster traffic to pass. just relax, get a good map, and ask directions when you get lost (it will happen, even with a map...).

Bill- Note that the poster wrote *EXPERIENCED*.

I guess I didn't find Irish drivers intentionally discourteous, but they tended to drive *way* too fast for the conditions. It was actually relaxing driving the freeway home from the airport when we got home! Hey Phyllis and Michelle, did you see the "Slow down, boys" commercial on t.v. when you were there?

I spend a lot of time in Northern Ireland, and the drivers in the south of Ireland scare me! It seems that once you cross the border, you are required to pass every car in front of you, no matter how much traffic is coming at you, and then at the very last minute before the big truck hits you, swing back into your proper lane.

Richard- Ain't it the truth! I don't think I ever even caught up with another car, much less had to pass somebody there. Well, maybe another tourist, but certainly not a native! ;-)

I took my sister & 2 friends to Ireland in April - my first time driving on the "other" side of the road. I seriously considered having magnetic bumper stickers made for the front & back bumpers that said: "DANGER: YANKEE DRIVING" (I believe in truth in advertising). Anyway, I couldn't find any place to get them made, so abandoned the idea. After the first 3 hours (developed a blister from clinging to the steering wheel for dear life), my sister pointed out that I was driving a rental car for which I had taken out every kind of insurance possible. That did it. I started driving like an Irisher, and had no problems after that! It really isn't that difficult once you are used to it. Just keep repeating to yourself "left, left". It also helps to have a designated navigator. One of our party, Chris Schnepf, composed a song in honor of driving in Ireland (even riding in Ireland terrified her!), to be sung to the tune of "Eileen Og". She called it THE LAY OF THE ROUNDABOUT: <BR>(1) <BR>We were drivin' <BR>Quickly out from Dublin Town <BR>When we noticed <BR>We were goin' round an' round <BR>Dodgin' lorries' <BR>While we're bouncin' up and down <BR>We had met the Irish roundabout! <BR>(refrain): <BR>Oh, oh, the Irish roundabout <BR>Hear the Yankee scream! <BR>Hear the Yankee shout! <BR>Rumblin' round <BR>From Dublin to Galway <BR>It'll make you sut your eyes and pray! <BR>(2) <BR>Acutely turning <BR>Bends that make you lose your nerve <BR>The chipping's loose <BR>As we go madly round the curve <BR>The margin's soft <BR>We're sliding over muddy turm <BR>And here comes another roundabout! <BR>(refrain) <BR>(3) <BR>I am going to <BR>Shed a thousand salty tears <BR>If I lose <BR>Another of my side view mirrors <BR>Can't remember <BR>Last time when I felt no fear <BR>Drivin' on the Irish roundabout! <BR>(refrain) <BR>(4) <BR>I believe <BR>The traffic it is calming now... <BR>No...I'm wrong... <BR>Look out...we're going to hit that cow! <BR>Let me out... <BR>I'd rather push a rust ploy <BR>Than drive along the Irish roundabout! <BR>(refrain) <BR> <BR>On a more serious note, the traffic accident in the Republic is very high. I keep track of the Irish news daily on irishabroad.com, and there isn't a day goes by without reports of at least one, often several, people killed in traffic accidents. . . this in a country that would fit handily into a corner of New York State. There are billboards at each county line saying how many people were killed on the highways in the past year - - and those numbers are very high. DRIVE CAREFULLY! And watch out for night driving, expecially when the pubs close.

Richard <BR>I love your description of Irish drivers - I am Irish and I drive here and you have hit the nail on the head. One word of advice to anyone considering driving in Ireland - remember you are a quilifed driver and act like one regardless of the other lunatics on the road and good luck, <BR> <BR>Cathy

I probably tell more stories about my driving in Ireland than anything else. My favorite picture from our vacation is a pictue of me carrying one of my left hubcaps back to the car with several sheep staring at me. I didn't mind driving on the other side of the road, but the lanes are so thin I kept hitting the curb to avoid drivers who seemed to be going 100 mph. Returned the car without left hubcaps.