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Car hire in Ireland
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Driving in Ireland on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
No - your Australian licence is enough in Ireland.
An Australian licence is accepted in Ireland for visits up to 12 months. No International Driving Permit is needed.
Drives on the leftSame as Australia
Minimum age 21For most hire companies
$60-$130Typical daily hire
No IDP needed1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in Ireland worth it?
The Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry are worth driving. Dublin is not - the city is compact and parking is expensive.
Typical daily hire runs $60-$130.
Where to hire a car in Ireland
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in Ireland
- Ireland drives on the left, like Australia, which makes it one of the easiest European countries for an Australian to drive in.
- Rural roads are extremely narrow with stone walls and no verge - take the excess-reduction cover, and the damage waiver is not optional at most Irish hire desks.
- Speed limits are in km/h in the Republic and mph in Northern Ireland. The signs change at the border with nothing to announce it.
- Many hire companies decline Australian credit cards for the security hold - check before you land.
Your licence is enough, but the vehicle class still matters. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle. Check your policy covers the vehicle you actually intend to hire.
More Ireland essentials
Ireland visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Ireland
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Ireland eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Ireland travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Ireland money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Ireland airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Ireland travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Ireland
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
Ireland driving FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Ireland?
No. An Australian licence is accepted for visits up to 12 months, and Ireland drives on the left like Australia, which makes it one of the easier European countries to hire a car in.
Planning Ireland?
We will send you the Ireland guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.