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Car ownership · IrelandDriving in Europe: the rules that catch Irish drivers
The continent’s roads are excellent; the catches are the rules nobody told you: priority from the right, vignettes bought BEFORE the motorway, lower alcohol limits, and equipment fines that are entirely avoidable with one evening’s preparation.
Priority, the big one
In France and elsewhere, priorité à droite survives on many urban and rural junctions: traffic entering from a minor road on your RIGHT can have priority unless signs say otherwise — the exact reverse of Irish instincts. Learn the yellow-diamond sign (you have priority) and its cancelled version (you do not), and treat unmarked junctions in towns with genuine caution. Roundabouts mostly work as at home — but older French ones can still carry entering-traffic priority, signed accordingly.
Money and paper on the road
Motorway tolls are pervasive in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal — carry a card that works and expect barrier plazas — while Switzerland and Austria instead require a vignette bought BEFORE you join the motorway, with meaningful fines for guessing wrong. Alcohol limits across the continent are generally lower than Irish drivers assume — several countries effectively demand zero for recent licence holders — and speed enforcement is camera-dense with cross-border follow-up of EU-registered cars a reality. Assume you will be billed, because you will.
Country quirks worth knowing
Germany: the autobahn’s derestricted stretches are real but so is the advisory speed and the discipline — mirror religiously, never linger in the left lane, and note winter-tyre rules are situational (winter conditions demand winter-rated tyres). France: Crit’Air air-quality stickers are required in many city zones — order before travel. Alpine countries: mandatory winter equipment in season on signed roads. Everywhere: dipped headlights rules vary, and several countries expect them in daytime — when in doubt, lights on.
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Frequently asked questions
What is priorité à droite?
The continental rule giving priority to traffic entering from the right at certain junctions unless signage says otherwise. The yellow diamond sign means you have priority; its struck-through version means the right-hand rule applies. It is the number-one habit for Irish drivers to consciously manage.
Do I need a vignette?
For Switzerland and Austria’s motorways, yes — bought before you join, physical or digital per their current systems. France/Spain/Italy instead toll per journey. Route through the alps needs the sticker; check each transit country.
Can French speeding fines follow me home?
EU cross-border enforcement of Irish-registered vehicles is established practice — camera fines arrive by post. Drive to the posted limits and treat the dense camera network as exactly what it is.
Written and reviewed by the Escargo team · Updated 9 August 2026 · Escargo shows real local businesses only — where none is listed yet, the page says so honestly.