FAQs

For information relating to motor vehicles, visit the Road Safety Authority website: rsa.ie/en/RSA/Brexit/

For more information on all Brexit related issues and getting Ireland Brexit ready please visit the Governments website here: gov.ie/brexit

A quadricycle is a mechanically propelled vehicle, which means it is a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical or electrical power. As such, irrespective of engine capacity, under Road Traffic legislation the user of a ‘quad’ in a public place must have insurance, road tax, a driving licence and wear a helmet. 

There are 2 ways you can be detected speeding, through Intercept Detection and Non – Intercept Detection. An intercept detection occurs when a Garda stops an offender at the time of the offence. A Garda can input the details of the offence into a handheld computer or write details of the offence onto a Fixed Charge Notice. A non-intercept detection occurs where there is no Garda intervention at the scene of the offence. Non-intercept offences are recorded by:–  

• Fixed and mobile speed cameras
• Video recording equipment e.g. Mobile Speed Detection Vehicles
• Handheld computers or Notepads as a result of an allegation made via Traffic Watch (Tel No. 0818 – 205805)

Gardaí will not issue notices

Gardaí are no longer required to issue a fixed charge notice to an offender at the scene of an incident. Instead notices will be issued by the National Processing Office (NPO), in the same way as non-intercept offence notices. Gardaí will inform the offender of the offence details at the scene.

 

If you wish to apply for a large Public Vehicle Licence (LPSV) you will need to contact your local Garda Station and ask to speak to the PSV Inspector.

See Station Directory here.

Booking in Buses

LPSV Form

Licensing of Large Public Service Vehicles

Please refer to www.revenue.ie and follow the link to Vehicle Registration Tax.

Please refer to www.citizensinformation.ie and follow the links Travel and Recreation > Motoring > Driver icensing > Converting your driving licence to an Irish driving licence

N.B. The driver of the vehicle must also be insured to drive the concerned vehicle.

 

Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 as amended applies.

 
Where it is proposed to carry a load, which is such that the gross weight or axle weights are in excess of the legal limits, or the dimensional or projecting limits are breached, a permit must be obtained from the relevant Local Authority or Authorities through whose functional area(s) the load will be carried.

 
Procedure

 
Before making an application the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána C/O Garda National Traffic Bureau, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 (Tel: 01-6661956 & Fax: 01-6661958), must be informed and given a copy of the application form at least 4 working days before the application is submitted to the Local Authority.

 
The completed application form is then submitted to the Local Authority/Authorities – details of the load to be carried and route to be taken must be filled out on an application form provided by the concerned Local Authority and submitted as per Local Authority guidelines (Contact relevant Local Authority for details).

 
The applicant should also contact the relevant Local Authority in respect of the types and costs of permits available e.g. single, monthly, yearly etc.

 
Public liability insurance in respect of a pre-defined amount as stated by the Local Authority is required and each Local Authority would require a copy of the insurance certification from the applicant company.

 
If you have any queries regarding abnormal loads please contact the applicable Local Authority.

 
A new procedure is currently being drafted for abnormal loads not exceeding the dimensions of 4.3 meters in width, 27.4 meters in length and for conveyance on designated routes.

Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 as amended by Section 19 Road Traffic Act 2006 applies. A member of An Garda Síochána may seize a vehicle being used in a public place where – 

• A member of An Garda Síochána is of the opinion that the vehicle is being used in contravention of Section 56 Road Traffic Act 1961 i.e. The person driving the vehicle is not insured to drive the concerned vehicle.
• The person driving the vehicle refuses or fails to produce there and then a driving licence then having effect and licensing him/her to drive the vehicle, when production of such a licence is demanded of him/her by a member of An Garda Síochána under Section 40(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the member is of the opinion that the person is by reason of his/her age ineligible to hold a driving licence, licensing him/her to drive the vehicle.
• There is no road tax in force for a period of 2 months or greater.

In Local Authority areas such as Dublin City, where there is ‘Zoned Parking’ in operation, parking areas are designated either Yellow (Highest Tariff), Red (Medium Tariff) or Green (Lowest Tariff) Zones.  

A person parking in a 'Zoned Parking' area where a parking meter is broken must obtain a valid ticket from the nearest working meter either in the same zone or higher tariff zone. Further information can be obtained from Dublin City Council, Parking Policy & Enforcement Section, Tel: 01-2222261.

Stolen vehicles should be reported at any Garda station immediately in person. A preliminary report can be made by telephone but the report must be verified in person. Vehicles that are reported stolen to members of An Garda Síochána are entered onto a central database (PULSE), to which all Garda stations have access.

Update 29 June 2020

4 Month Test Extension and 16 NCT Test Centres re-open on Monday 29 June 2020.

The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has now updated all records for vehicles that qualified for the 4 month test extension as announced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in April. A vehicle with a test due date on or after 28 March 2020 has now had their test date extended by 4 months. 

Vehicle owners should note this change and check their new test due date on the Check NCT Due Date section on the NCTS website.

Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 as amended by Section 19 Road Traffic Act 2006 – a member of An Garda Síochána may seize a vehicle being used in a public place without proof of passing a road worthiness test in accordance with Council Directive 96/96/EC (O.J. No. L46 17.02.97, P1) of the 20th December 1996 which for the time being in force in respect of the vehicle.

All cars are required to have a valid NCT when in use.  The only exemptions set down in the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 322 of 2014) are as follows:

(7) Section 18 and these Regulations do not apply to a vehicle—

(a) other than a small public service vehicle, first registered prior to 1 January 1980,

(b) other than a small public service vehicle, which is used solely on an off-shore island,

(c) on the day on which a test certificate in respect of the vehicle had been refused,

(d) in the 24 hour period prior to a test appointment in the case of a vehicle heretofore used solely on an off-shore island attending for a first test provided evidence of the appointment is produced, or

(e) which is owned or operated by the Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces.

See www.ncts.ie for further details.

The Road Traffic Act 1961 defines a mechanically propelled vehicle as a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used.  It also includes a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical, or partly electrical and partly mechanical.

eScooters and suchlike vehicles fall into this category, and are therefore considered to be mechanically propelled vehicles.  Any users of such vehicles in a public place (as defined in the Road Traffic Act 1961) must have insurance, motor tax and a driving licence, with penalties under road traffic laws (including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle) for not being in compliance with these requirements. 

As it is currently not possible to tax or insure eScooters etc., they are not considered suitable for use in a public place.