RoadVisa Beta

Can I drive in Ireland with a Canadian licence?

Pick where your licence is from and where you're going.

Canada→IrelandVisiting
Allowed
Yes, your licence is valid here
How longUp to 12 months
What to carry
  • Your valid licence
International Driving Permit (IDP)

Not needed.

Good to know
  • Distances and speed limits are in kilometres. In Northern Ireland (UK), they switch to miles.
  • Roundabouts go clockwise: give way to traffic coming from your right.
Official sourcesRSA: Foreign licences ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Coming with your own car

How long your car can stayVisitors can keep a foreign-registered car here up to 6 months in total within any 12 months. Several trips add up: count back 12 months from today. If you move to Ireland, the car must be registered there and Vehicle Registration Tax paid within 30 days.
Documents in the carYour vehicle registration certificate. Proof of insurance. If the car isn't yours, written permission from the owner.
InsuranceInsurance from Canada isn't valid here. Buy local insurance before you drive, for example at the border.
Country signCarry an oval CDN sticker on the back.
Headlights (recommended)Your car is built for driving on the right, so the dipped beam points towards oncoming traffic. Beam deflector stickers, or the headlight setting some newer cars have, help avoid dazzling other drivers.
Revenue: Vehicle Registration Tax ↗Assumes your car is registered in the same country as your licence. Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Driving in Ireland: the basics

This is general information. Always follow the road signs.

Driving sideLeft
Default speed limit: towns50 km/h
Default speed limit: outside towns60 km/h on local roads, 80 on regional roads, 100 on national roads
Default speed limit: motorways120 km/h
HeadlightsNot required in daylight. Dipped headlights in poor visibility.
Winter tyresNot required.
Required in the carNothing specific is required.
Road tollsToll booths on several motorways. The M50 around Dublin has no booths: pay online by 8 pm the next day.
eFlow: M50 toll (official) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Rules in Ireland for every licence →

RoadVisa covers 42 countries. Rules change, so every answer links to the official source. Check it before you drive or book anything.

Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.