Road signs / Regulatory signs

Regulatory road signs in Ireland

Regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do, and ignoring one is an offence rather than bad practice. Most are circular: a red ring prohibits something, a blue circle orders it.

The two odd ones out are STOP (octagon) and YIELD (downward triangle). They are shaped differently on purpose, so you can still recognise them when snow or dirt covers the face.

All 35 regulatory signs

Clearway
Clearway – no stopping or parking during the times shown.
A clearway sign means that stopping or parking is not permitted in this area during the times shown on the information plate.
Disc parking
Disc parking operates during the times shown.
This sign tells you that vehicles must display a parking disc when parked during the hours shown on the information plate.
Drive on the left
A driver must drive on the left-hand side.
This sign is generally in areas where tourists might be travelling and reminds motorists to drive on the left. These signs are commonly found around airports and ferry ports.
Keep left
This sign tells you that you must keep left. It is usually displayed at a traffic island in the centre of the road and is also used on occasion to control traffic at roadworks.
Keep right
This sign tells you that you must keep right. It is usually found in a one-way system where the traffic is required to keep to the right and is also used on occasion to control traffic at roadworks.
Maximum vehicle height
Maximum permitted height of vehicle is the figure indicated.
This sign tells you that you must not enter this area if your vehicle exceeds the indicated height.
Maximum weight 3 tonnes
Maximum permitted weight is 3 tonnes.
This sign tells you that you must not enter this area if your vehicle is over 3 tonnes or 3,000 kg.
No entry
This sign tells you that you must not proceed in the direction of the arrow. This is displayed to prevent traffic going in the wrong direction, for example, the wrong way up a one-way street.
No entry for goods vehicles with five axles or more
No entry to goods vehicles with five axles or more.
This sign tells you that heavy goods vehicles with five or more axles are not permitted to enter this road.
No left turn
This sign is displayed at a junction where you may not turn left.
No overtaking
This sign tells you that overtaking is prohibited. These signs are usually found in places where overtaking may be dangerous, such as in areas with reduced visibility.
No parking
Parking is not allowed.
This sign tells you that parking is prohibited in both directions.
No parking over the weight shown
Parking of vehicles exceeding the weight shown is not allowed.
This sign tells you that you must not park in this area if your vehicle is over the weight limit indicated.
No right turn
This sign is displayed at a junction where you must not turn right.
No U-turn
U-turn not permitted.
This sign tells you that you are not permitted to make a U-turn. It is commonly displayed on approach to junctions on dual carriageways. Drivers should also be aware that U-turns are not permitted anywhere there is a continuous white line along the centre of the road or on a one-way street.
Parking permitted at times shown
Parking is permitted during the times shown.
These signs tell you that parking is permitted in both directions but only at the times shown on the information plate.
Pass either side
This sign tells you that traffic may pass on either side of the traffic island.
Pedestrianised street
Pedestrianised street ahead – traffic not allowed except during times shown.
When posted together, these signs tell you that there is a pedestrianised street ahead and that traffic is not allowed to enter except during the times stated on the information plate.
Speed limit 100 km/h
Maximum speed is 100 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 100 km/h.
Speed limit 120 km/h
Maximum speed is 120 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 120 km/h.
Speed limit 30 km/h
Maximum speed is 30 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 30 km/h. These signs are commonly found in slow zones in residential areas.
Speed limit 50 km/h
Maximum speed is 50 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 50 km/h.
Speed limit 60 km/h
Maximum speed is 60 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 60 km/h.
Speed limit 80 km/h
Maximum speed is 80 km/h.
This sign tells you that the maximum legal speed limit permitted for this section of road is 80 km/h.
Stop
Stop at the sign.
Where a STOP sign is not accompanied by a white stop line, you must stop at the sign.
Stop (traffic control)
The driver must stop their vehicle.
This sign appears at junctions where a minor road joins a major road. You must stop your vehicle completely at a STOP sign.
Stop at the line
When accompanied by a STOP sign, the white stop line indicates the point at which you must stop your vehicle.
Stop when red lights show
The driver must stop when red lights show.
This sign gives advance warning that you must stop when red lights show. This sign may be displayed at a railway level crossing.
Straight ahead only
This sign tells you that you must proceed straight ahead. This sign is usually displayed on the entry to a one-way street.
Turn left ahead
Turn left ahead.
This sign tells you that you must turn left ahead. It is usually displayed on the approach to a one-way system.
Turn left only
This sign tells you that you must turn left. It is usually displayed at a junction where all traffic must turn left—for example, in a one-way system that incorporates a junction.
Turn right ahead
You must turn right ahead.
This sign tells you that you must turn right ahead. It is usually displayed on the approach to a one-way system.
Turn right only
This sign tells you that you must turn right. It is usually displayed at a junction where all traffic must turn right—for example, in a one-way system that incorporates a junction.
Yield
Yield to traffic on the major road.
At a junction, the YIELD sign tells you that you must give way to traffic on a major road ahead. This means that you must slow down and be prepared to stop.
Yield at a roundabout
Yield to traffic coming from the right or already on the roundabout.
At a roundabout, the YIELD sign tells you that you must slow down and be prepared to stop. You must yield (give way) to traffic already on the roundabout or coming from the right.