Whenever we rent a car in another country, we wish our driving to be easy. No one likes getting into trouble and accidents! That is why we have prepared this guide for those going on a road trip to Dublin. In our article, you will find the best tips for easy and less stressful driving.
Inspect your rental car before driving
Whenever you hire a Hertz Dublin airport car option, make your journey easier by inspecting a rental auto before driving. Such an action will help you avoid misunderstandings between you and the hire office after dropping off the vehicle. You surely do not want a rental company to accuse you of damage you have not made. So, before driving your car, check the following things:
- The tires;
- The doors and the roof;
- Under both bumpers at the back and front;
- Mirrors and how they fold;
- Glass everywhere you see it.
Check the weather before a trip
Checking the forecast several days before your journey starts substantially decreases possible issues on the road in Dublin. Sometimes, if the weather is terrible, it is better not to rent a car at the end. So, if you plan to book Dublin cars for hire, search for some info about the weather for upcoming days in Dublin. Knowing the possible weather conditions for 14 days is usually enough for a one-week road trip.
Get acquainted with Irish traffic signs and laws
Those who arrive in Dublin and hire a car Dublin for the first time should be aware of the local traffic rules. Here are some of them:
- In Ireland, you drive on the left side of the road.
- All passengers in a car should wear a seatbelt.
- Do not use a mobile phone while driving.
- Drinking is forbidden.
Moreover, pay attention to the traffic signs, especially if you are going to spend a lot of time on the road:
- The Roundabout ahead sign differs from the UK version. It represents a yellow diamond with three black bent arrows inside.
- Two-way traffic is also a yellow diamond but with two parallel arrows inside.
- No straight-ahead sign has two versions, where the first one is similar to the one in the UK. The other is a white circle with a red border and a black arrow, diagonally crossed by the red stripe.
Keep the speed limit
Driving on the left side of the road while using manual transmission might not always be a piece of cake in the beginning. So, to avoid possible accidents and troubles, stick to the speed limit rules and thus drive carefully. Here are the speed limits for specific areas:
- 50 kph for urban areas;
- 80 kph for open roads and 100 kph for national ones;
- 120 kph for motorways.
Practise your driving in a country area
While booking car hire options for a trip to Dublin, remember that most cars in Ireland use a manual transmission. Moreover, you will have to drive on the left side of the road, as we have mentioned before. The best thing you can do to make driving easier is practice in rural areas before going to the city. Also, before driving in Dublin, check some info and the things you didn’t know about manual transmission.
Do not get distracted from the road
Distracted driving is when you pay attention to anything else but the road.
Whenever you look at bright shop signs or your phone when you hear a notification sound, you increase the possibility of accidents. Not all distracting things always lead to trouble, but you should always be attentive while driving in Dublin. Here are top tips on how to not get distracted:
- Put your phone as far away as possible. If you travel with friends or family, ask someone to check your phone from time to time.
- Use GPS, but with the voice feature turned on. Try not to look at the screen. You may also leave the navigation to the other passenger in your car.
- Do not try to adjust the music while driving. Do it during stops or before your journey starts.
- Leave food and snacks for stops. Eating something while operating a vehicle is not a good idea.