Car speed limits in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Passenger cars may do 50 km/h in built-up areas by default, with 100 km/h on national roads, 80 km/h on regional roads and 60 km/h on rural local roads. The motorway limit is 120 km/h. Local authorities are to lower many urban limits to 30 km/h by 31 March 2027.

RuleWhat applies
Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads50 km/h [1]
Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads100 km/h on national roads, 80 km/h on regional roads and 60 km/h on rural local roads (default limits). [1]
Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads100 km/h on national roads, which include dual carriageways. [1]
MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads120 km/h [1]

Notes

  • This is the default limit for built-up areas without motorways or special speed limit zones. Local authorities are to reduce the limit to 30 km/h on many roads where it is now 50 km/h, after public consultation, with the aim of having this in place by 31 March 2027 (Citizens Information, edited 1 December 2025; Department of Transport, updated 20 August 2026). Until a change is made for a road, the 50 km/h default applies.
  • These are default limits and may be varied by special speed limits, which are generally 30 km/h or 60 km/h and are set by local authority bye-laws. The 60 km/h default for rural local roads applies from 7 February 2025. The default for national secondary roads is planned to fall from 100 km/h to 80 km/h; Citizens Information said on 1 December 2025 that this had not been introduced.
  • Citizens Information gives 100 km/h for national roads 'including dual carriageways'. It states no separate limit for dual carriageways that are not national roads. The default is planned to fall to 80 km/h on national secondary roads (not introduced when the page was edited on 1 December 2025).
  • This is the default limit and may be varied by special speed limits. Variable speed limits (20 km/h up to 120 km/h) apply on some roads, including the M50. All limits are in kilometres per hour.

Sources

  1. Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board): Speed limits in Ireland (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.