Irish Information Road Traffic Signs

information traffic signs

‘Other Information Traffic Signs’ are road signs used to inform drivers of miscellaneous features on the road ahead, like road layout, geographical location information, and local services (such as parks and petrol stations). In this post, we give you the basics on information road signs as well as a gallery of signs you can study in preparation for your theory test. For a more comprehensive review, you can download the chapter from the Department of Transport Road Sign Manual at the end of this article.

Information Road Signs Categories

All information road signs in Ireland fall under one of the following categories:

  • Geographical Information Signs
  • Signs Indicating Facilities
  • Road Layout Signs
  • Traffic Calming Signs
  • Alternate Route Information Signs
  • Signs for Services
  • Toll Road Signs
  • Tunnel Information Signs
  • Miscellaneous Information Signs
  • Signs for Tourist Attractions and Facilities
  • Cycle Network Signs

Let’s take a look at those categories individually and discuss the signs and rules that you should know for each.

Geographical Information Traffic Signs

Geographical Information Road Traffic Signs give you information about the area you are driving in or to. For example, town or village signs like this one that you might see as you’re approaching a location.

town or village information road signs, information traffic sign

Town or village road signs will be green if on a national road, and white with black outline and text if they are on a regional or local road. Like all information traffic signs, town and village information signs will be larger on roads where the speed is higher so that drivers can see them more easily.

County Boundary Signs

County boundary signs are another kind of geographical information sign that you will see often. They are brown and inform drivers that they are entering or leaving a county. When located on local roads, the sign will be smaller and give just the county information. On national and regional roads, the sign will be larger and feature the county crest.

county boundary signs, information road signs, information traffic signs, geographical information road signs

Signs for Rivers

Signs for rivers are another common geographical information road sign. They are brown and feature the river name and river symbol, as pictured below. You will find them where a road crosses a river, even on motorways, and are always the same colour and design no matter what kind of road they are posted on. They will, however, be larger on high speed roads and motorways.

River Signs, information road signs, geographical information signs, information traffic signsRoundabout Name Signs

Roundabout Name Signs are, as the name suggests, signs posted at roundabouts giving the name. They are designed to help drivers determine their location and/or find their way by map or GPS. They follow the same design guidelines as the Town or Village Road Signs.

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Signs Indicating Facilities

Signs indicating facilities are provided to give motorists information about facilities on the road ahead. These include parking, hospitals, airports, bus and train stations, ferry terminals and ports, garda stations and observation points, and service facilities such as restaurants and fuel stations. The signs vary in design depending on the facility indicated. Signs indicating parking and lay-bys are blue. Hospital signs are also blue as well as Garda observation point signs. All other facilities signs are black and white.

Road Layout Signs

Understanding Irish Road Layout Signs is not only an important part of your theory test, but also very important for safe driving. We recommend spending a little more time learning these information road signs.

Road layout signs can appear on any road and are for the purpose of informing motorists of important changes in the layout of the road ahead. These signs are blue when on motorways, green on national roads, and white with black symbols on all other roads.

Lane Gain at Junctions

Lane gain signs appear most often at junctions.

  • additional lanes joining from left - left joining lane continues (2-3 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from left - left joining lane continues (3-4 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from left - right joining lane continues (2-3 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from left - right joining lane continues (3-4 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from right - right joining lane continues (3-4 lanes)
  • Additional Lanes joining from right (2-3 lanes)
  • Additional Lanes joining from right (3-4 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from right - left joining lane continues (2-3 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from right - left joining lane continues (3-4 lanes)
  • Distance panel below lane gain sign
  • lain joining from left (2-3 lanes)
  • additional lanes joining from right - right joining lane continues (2-3 lanes)
  • Lane joining from left (3-4 lanes)

Lane Gain Between Junctions

In some instances an additional lane may be introduced between junctions. Some include distance panels below to tell drivers exactly how soon the change will occur.

information traffic signsinformation traffic signs

Lane Diverge Signs

Lane diverge occurs when the lanes in a carriageway split at a junction: one or more lanes lead off to a different destination with a consequent reduction in the number of lanes on the main carriageway. On urban roads, there are also lane diverge signs that alert motorists of appropriate manoeuvres needed for the road ahead. These signs can also advise drivers on which lane they should be in for an upcoming junction. Where one of the lanes is a bus lane, the arrow depicting that lane will be replaced by the words “LÁNA BUS”.

  • Lane Diverge Road Sign (Two Lanes)
  • Lane Diverge Road Sign (Three Lanes)
  • Lane Diverge Road Sign (Four Lanes with Bus Lane)

Start and End Signs for Motorways

Start and End Signs for Motorways are blue with white symbols and lettering. They indicate to drivers when a motorway starts and ends.

  • Motorway Symbol
  • Motorway Prohibitions (English and Irish)
  • Motorway Entry with Motorway Number
  • Motorway Entry (with Distance and Motorway Number)
  • End of Motorway (Distance will vary)
  • End of Motorway

Countdown Markers

Countdown Markers are provided in advance of a diverge lane on all grade separated dual carriageways or motorways. They are located in sets of three on the left-hand verge at approximately 300m, 200m and 100m in advance of the start of the diverge taper, in order to give the driver a final countdown to the start of the diverge slip lane. Each line on the sign indicates 100 metres. So the first sign shown will have three lines to indicate the approaching change is 300m away. Then two, and then one. They are blue on motorways, green on national and regional roads and white on local roads.

information road signs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cul-de-Sac Sign

This sign is posted at the entrance of a road that has no outlet.

information road signs

 

 

 

 

 

With Flow Bus Lanes

Displayed at the start of a with flow bus lane, these signs alert drivers that a bus lane is starting either nearside or offside.

  • Typical Supplementary Plate
  • Start of Offside With-Flow Bus Lane
  • Start of Nearside with Flow Bus Lane

Traffic Calming Signs

  • Metric Speed Limit Information (to advise that speed is in km not miles)
  • Traffic Calming (Distance will vary)
  • Oncoming Traffic in Middle of Road
  • Typical Town Name and Speed Limit Sign
  • Speed Limit Ahead
  • Speed Camera Symbol
  • Speed Camera Ahead (distance to next camera)
  • Typical Warning Traffic Calming Sign
  • Road Narrows on Right Side
  • Road Narrows on Left Side
  • Road Narrows on Both Sides
  • Road Hump
  • Reduce Speed Now Supplementary Plate
  • Metric Speed Limit Information (to advise that speed is in km not miles)

Alternative Route Information Signs

  • High Vehicles Right
  • High Vehicles Left
  • High Vehicle
  • High Vehicle Direction Sign With Destination
  • High Vehicle Advance Direction Sign Right
  • High Vehicle Advance Direction Sign Left
  • High Vehicle ADS Straight Ahead
  • Heavy Vehicles Direction (Right)
  • Heavy Vehicles Direction (Left)
  • Heavy Vehicle with Maximum Weight
  • Heavy Vehicle Direction Sign with Destination & Max Weight
  • Heavy Vehicle Advance Direction Straigt Ahead (with Max Weight)
  • Heavy Vehicle Advance Direction Sign Right
  • Heavy Vehicle Advance Direction Sign Left
  • Gantry Sign
  • Advance Information Sign for Heavy or High Vehicle - Grade Separated Sign
  • Advance Information Sign for Heavy or High Vehicle - At-Grade Sign

Signs for Services

Signs are required on main roads to indicate where services such as refreshments and fuel can be obtained. These facilities might be available in special service areas on motorways; adjacent to a junction on a major road; in adjacent towns or villages; on nearby side roads; or with access directly off the main road.

Motorway Service Areas are indicated with blue signs. Service Areas off the Main Line are brown.

  • Services Direction Sign
  • Motorway Service Area - Diverge Taper Gantry Services Sign
  • Motorway Service Area - Advance Service Area Sign
  • Motorway Service Area - Advance Service Area Information Sign
  • Direction Services Sign
  • Direction Service Sign - Off Main Line
  • Bypassed Town Sign
  • Alternative Route Sign
  • Advance Services Sign - Off Main Line
  • Advance Service Area Direction Sign

Toll Road Signs

  • Typical Toll Lane Demarcation Sign
  • Typical Toll Charge Sign
  • Toll Road Symbol
  • Toll Road Ahead (Distance Varies)
  • Toll Plaza Coin Basket
  • Toll Plaza Cashier
  • Toll Plaza Ahead (Distance varies)
  • Electronic Tolling
  • Dola Road Symbol
  • Credit Card Payment Symbol - Toll Plaza

Tunnel Information Signs

  • Typical Toll Lane Demarcation Sign
  • Typical Toll Charge Sign
  • Turn Headlights On
  • Pedestrian Exit
  • Fire Extinguisher, Telephone and Lay-By
  • Fire Extinguisher and Telephone
  • Example Tunnel Name and Length
  • Example Sign of Tunnel Radio Stations
  • Emergency Station

Tourist Attractions

  • Walking Route Sign
  • Tourist 'Use For' Sign
  • Tourist Route Confirmatory Sign
  • Tourist Direction Signs
  • Tourist Direction Sign (symbol and distance vary)
  • Tourist Confirmatory Sign on Approach
  • Tourist Advance Direction Sign At Roundabout
  • Tourist Advance Direction Sign (Single Attraction)
  • Touris Advance Direction Side Grade Seperated
  • Tour Continuity Sign
  • Route Continuity Sign
  • Non Registered Accomodation Site
  • Failte Ireland Registered Accomodation Sign
  • Direction Sign at Start of Tourist Route
  • Camping and Caravan Site Sign
  • Advance Tourist Direction Sign at Grade
  • Adnvance Direction Sign for a Tourist Route

Cycle Network Signs

Cycle network signs are direction signs used to direct cyclists along networks of cycle routes – either local routes or longer distance routes.

  • Shared Track for Pedal Cycles and Pedestrians
  • Pedal Cycles Only
  • Cyclists Sign
  • Cycle Route Direction Sign
  • Cycle Route Direction Sign - With Destination
  • Cycle Route Confirmatory Sign
  • Cycle Route Ahead Sign
  • Combined Cycle and Pedestrian Direction Sign
  • Combined Cycle and Pedestrian Advance Direction Sign

More Information on Information Road Signs

In our experience, the information provided here is more than enough to prepare yourself for the theory test on this particular topic, but if you would like even more detailed information regarding Information Road Signs, you can download the relevant chapter from the Department of Transport Road Sign Manual.

 

Click to Download


Check Out Our Other Traffic Signs Galleries

 

  • traffic signs, regulatory road signs
    Traffic Signs | Driving School Resources
  • Irish Information Traffic Signs Gallery

 

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