75 Questions & Answers For The Irish Driving Test Flashcards

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards based on the Irish Driving Test questions and answers, covering road markings, speed limits, and safety regulations.

Overtaking sequence

Ensure the road ahead is clear, check mirrors and blind spots, and signal your intention.

Parking distance from the kerb

$$45\,cm$$

Human factors affecting driving

Alcohol, drugs (prescription and non-prescription), tiredness & fatigue, road rage, attitude.

Flashing green light on a vehicle

It indicates a doctor on an emergency call.

Seat belt responsibility (under 17 years)

The driver is responsible for passengers under $17$ years of age.

Seat belt responsibility (17 years and over)

The person themselves is responsible for wearing the seat belt.

Continuous yellow line

No parking during certain hours at the side of a road.

Rumble strips

Road features designed to alert drivers to reduce speed or to warn of a hazard ahead.

Red dashboard warning light

Indicates you should stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so and investigate the issue.

Red X above a motorway lane

The lane is closed, and you must not use it.

Broken yellow line

Defines a hard shoulder normally for pedestrians & cyclists; it may be used briefly to allow faster traffic to overtake if safe.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)

A system to prevent the wheels from locking during emergency braking to maintain steering control.

Central island pedestrian crossings

Zebra crossings with a central island are treated as two separate crossings; Pelican crossings in a straight line count as one.

Clearway

No parking during specified times or stopping unless you are waiting in a line of traffic.

Double broken white lines

Alert the driver to continuous white lines a short distance ahead; you must not cross unless safe.

Solid white line (centre of road)

You must stay to the left and must not cross the line unless for access or in an emergency.

2 second rule

A measure of safe following distance in dry conditions, doubled in wet and extended further in icy conditions.

Minimum tyre tread depth

$1.6\,mm$ over the main treads for most vehicles.

Roundabout priority

You must give right of way to traffic already on a roundabout.

White zig-zag lines

Located at a zebra crossing to indicate no overtaking or parking.

Tailgating

Driving too close to a vehicle in front, not keeping a safe distance.

Single red line

No stopping during certain times at the side of the road, as indicated by nearby signs.

Traffic calming zone

An area where speed is restricted to enhance pedestrian safety.

With-flow bus lane

Runs in the same direction as traffic; used by bicyclists, taxis, and buses during times on the information plate.

Contra-flow bus lane

Reserved only for buses day or night; no other traffic may use it.

Parking distance from a pedestrian crossing

$15\,metres$ before or $5\,metres$ after.

Yellow box junction

You must not enter unless you can clear it without stopping, with an exception for turning right when waiting for a gap.

No entry road markings

A continuous & a broken white line with the words "NO ENTRY".

Parking distance from a junction

Over $5\,metres$.

Horn restrictions

Do not use in a built-up area between $11.30\,pm$ & $7.00\,am$, unless there is a traffic emergency.

Dazzle from oncoming headlights

Slow down, stop if necessary, and look towards the left verge until the vehicle has passed.

Single broken white line

Centre road marking indicating you may overtake if it is safe and legal to do so.

Hazard lights usage

Used when your vehicle is stationary and causing an obstruction, or in an emergency situation.

Coasting

When the vehicle is not being driven by the engine, such as when the clutch is held down or the gear lever is in neutral.

Flashing red traffic lights

Signals to stop because a train is approaching.

Green arrow (motorway lane)

The lane is open, and you may use it.

U-turn prohibited locations

One-way streets, areas with continuous white lines, or where a sign directs you not to.

National roads speed limit

$$100\,km/h$$

Motorway speed limit

$$120\,km/h$$

Difference between Pelican and Zebra crossings

Pelican is controlled by lights; Zebra has flashing orange beacons and is controlled by the presence of pedestrians.

Blind spot

The area around your vehicle that cannot be seen using mirrors.

Flashing blue light on a vehicle

Indicates an emergency service vehicle such as Gardaí, fire brigade, or ambulance on an emergency call.

Unmarked crossroads priority

Give priority to traffic on the junction and traffic approaching from your right.

Hatched markings

Diagonal or chevron markings used for merging, diverging, or separating traffic; you must not enter the area they cover.

Double continuous yellow lines

No parking at any time.

Built up areas speed limit

Usually $50\,km/h$; special speed limits may be $30\,km/h$ or $60\,km/h$.

Stopping distance at 50 km/h (dry road)

Approximately $25\,meters$.

Filter light

An arrow light (green or amber) that allows you to proceed in the direction of the arrow if safe.

White diamond marking

Indicates a tram or bus lane.

Flashing amber traffic light

Proceed if the crossing is clear but give priority to pedestrians.

Red triangle (roadside)

Indicates a temporary hazard or warning ahead.

Dipped headlight requirement

Used when meeting traffic, following closely, on lit roads, in snow, fog, dusk/dawn, or to avoid inconveniencing others.