Updated to 16 April 2025 (Act No. 2 of 2025 and S.I. No. 141 of 2025)
All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.
Road Traffic Act 1968
No. 25 of 1968
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement Date | Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ss. 1-5 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| S. 6 in so far as it amends the following provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961):— ss. 3, 11, 12, 15-20, 26, 36, 40, 42, 54, 58, 64, 65, 76, 84, 87, 89-92, 95, 96, 101, 103, 104, 106, 109, 113-115, 123, Sch.2) | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art 2(b) |
| S. 6 in so far as it amends s. 77 of the Road Traffic Act 1961(No. 24 of 1961) | 13 January 1971 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1971 (S.I. No. 6 of 1971), art. 2(b) |
| S. 7 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 8-20 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| S. 21 | Not yet commenced.Commencement order required under s. 4 | |
| S. 22 | 24 July 1969 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1969 (S.I. No. 139 of 1969), art. 2 |
| S. 23 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 24-26 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 27-36 | 3 November 1969 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1969 (S.I. No. 195 of 1969), art. 2 |
| Ss. 37-42 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 43-46 | 3 November 1969 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1969 (S.I. No. 195 of 1969), art. 2 |
| Ss. 47-53 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 54, 55 | 26 October 1970 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1970 (S.I. No. 244 of 1970), art. 2 |
| Ss. 56, 57 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| S. 58 | Not yet commenced.Commencement order required under s. 4 | |
| Ss. 59, 60 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| S. 61 | Not yet commenced.Commencement order required under s. 4 | |
| S. 62 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| S. 63 | 13 January 1971 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1971 (S.I. No. 6 of 1971), art. 2(a) |
| Ss. 64-66 | 1 September 1968 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968), art. 2(a) |
| Schedule | See s. 6 |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision |
|---|---|
| Act included in collectively cited Road Traffic Acts | S. 3 |
| Application of collectively cited Road Traffic Acts, payment of costs | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 82(1) |
| Application of collectively cited Road Traffic Acts restricted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 87(1) as substituted by 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 23 |
| Power to make regulations under collectively cited Road Traffic Acts extended | 23/2006, ss. 2, 23(3) |
| Provisional licence in collectively cited Road Traffic Acts construed to include learner permit | 23/2006, ss. 11(3), 23(3) |
| Application of collectively cited Road Traffic Acts restricted in relation to emergency vehicles | 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 27 |
| Meaning of road in collectively cited Road Traffic Acts construed | 24/1998, ss. 1(3), 59 |
| Meaning of class of mechanically propelled vehicles in collectively cited Road Traffic Acts construed | S.I. No. 287 of 1989, reg. 2 |
| Transfer of certain functions under | S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1 |
| S. 6 amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(a) |
| S. 8(1) provisions specified | S.I. No. 35 of 1991, regs. 3, 4(1), schedule |
| S. 8(7)(a) provisions specified | S.I. No. 35 of 1991, regs. 3, 4(2), schedule |
| S. 10 power to maintain records in relation to licences under section | 13/1993, s. 60(2) as substituted by 13/1994, s. 86 |
| Ss. 11, 12, penalties incd. | 16/1984, ss. 4 (1), 6 |
| S. 13 am. | 16/1984, ss. 4 (2)-(6), 6 |
| S. 14(1) repealed | 19/2007, ss. 2(1), 4(1) and sch. 2 |
| S. 14(2) repealed | 19/2007, ss. 2(1), 4(1) and sch. 2 |
| S. 14(3) repealed | 19/2007, ss. 2(1), 4(1) and sch. 2 |
| S. 15, tbl. substit. | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 84 |
| 12/2002, ss. 23 (2) (3), 26 (2) | |
| S. 15 am. | 16/1984, ss. 4 (2)-(6), 6 |
| S. 18 am. | 16/1984, ss. 4 (2)-(6), 6 |
| S. 18, deleg. of Min. functns. under | S. I. No. 840 of 2004, o. 2 (a), sch,. pt. 1 |
| S. 18(1A) inserted | 12/2002, ss. 19, 26 (2) |
| S. 18(1B) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(i) |
| S. 18(2)(a) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(I) |
| S. 18(2)(a) substituted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(a) |
| S. 18(2)(aa) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(II) |
| S. 18(2)(aa) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(a) |
| S. 18(2)(aaa) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(a) |
| S. 18(2)(aaa) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(III) |
| S. 18(2)(b) substituted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(IV) |
| S. 18(2)(cc) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(V) |
| S. 18(2)(da) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(b) |
| S. 18(2)(ee), (ef) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(VI) |
| S. 18(2)(j) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(k) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(k) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(VII) |
| S. 18(2)(kk) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(VIII) |
| S. 18(2)(l) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(l) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(IX) |
| S. 18(2)(la) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(X) |
| S. 18(2)(m) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(n) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(o) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(c) |
| S. 18(2)(o) amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(ii)(XI) |
| S. 18(7) amended | 23/2006, s. 18(1)(b) and Table, pt. 2, ref. no. 1 |
| S. 18 (7), penalties increased | 12/2002, ss. 23 (1) (b) (3), tbl, 26 (2) |
| S. 18(7) substit. | 28/2011, ss. 5, 11(2) |
| 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(d) | |
| 16/1984, s. 4(5) | |
| S. 18(8) inserted | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 85(d) |
| S. 18(8). (9) inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(b)(iii) |
| S. 18A inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(c) |
| S. 19 repealed | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 67(2) |
| S. 22 applied | S.I. No. 537 of 2006, regs. 2, 26(3)(c) |
| S.I. No. 537 of 2006, regs. 2, 26(2)(d)(ii) | |
| S. 23 am. | 16/1984, ss. 4 (2)-(6), 6 |
| S. 23(2) am. | 23/2006, s. 18(1)(b) and Table, pt. 2, ref. no. 2 |
| S. 23 (2), penalties incd. | 12/2002, ss. 23 (1) (b) (3), tbl, 26 (2) |
| S. 27 substituted | 19/1978, ss. 4, 6 |
| 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 5 | |
| S. 27 amended | 15/1973, s. 2 |
| S. 28 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 29 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 30 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 30 (3), effect of previous conviction under. | 19/1978, ss. 4, 11 (7), 14 (4) (a), 25 |
| S. 30 amended | 15/1973, s. 3 |
| S.31 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.32 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.33 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 33(1), (2) amended | 15/1973, s. 4 |
| S.33 (3), effect of previous conviction under. | 19/1978, ss. 4, 11 (7) |
| S.34 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.35 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.36 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 36(1)(a) amended | 15/1973, s. 5 |
| S.38 am. | 19/1978, ss. 4, 7 |
| S. 38 repealed | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 33(b) |
| S.38 (1) (2), substit. | 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 6(a) |
| 19/1978, ss. 4, 7(1) | |
| S.38 (4)(a) substit. | 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 6 (b) |
| 19/1978, ss. 4, 7(2) | |
| S.39 am. | 19/1978, ss. 4, 8 |
| S.39 (2) substit. | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 28 |
| 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 7 | |
| 19/1978, ss. 4, 8 | |
| S.41 (1) amended | S.I. No. 230 of 1980, reg. 2, schedule |
| S. 41(2) deleted | S.I. No. 230 of 1980, reg. 2, schedule |
| S. 42 repealed | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 33(b) |
| S.42 am. | 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 8 |
| S.42 (2) del. | S. I. No. 230 of 1980, reg. 2, sch. |
| S.43 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 43(1) amended | 15/1973, s. 6 |
| S. 44 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 44(2)(a), (b) amended* | 15/1973, s. 7(a), (b) |
| S. 44(3) inserted | 15/1973, s. 7(c) |
| S.45 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.46 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S.47 repealed | 19/1978, ss. 4, 5 (1) |
| S. 48 repealed | 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 33(b) |
| Ss. 49-52 repealed | 28/2011, ss. 4(2)(b), 11(2), |
| 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 70(b) | |
| S.56 (1), subsec. substit. | 15/1986, ss. 3, 31 (10) |
| S.60, rep. with saver for regs. etc. | 7/1994, ss. 1 (2), 4 (1) |
| Ss. 60, 61, deleg. of Min. functns. under. | S. I. No. 840 of 2004, o. 2 (a), sch,. pt. 1 |
| S.64 rep. | 12/2002, ss. 25 (1), 26 (2) |
| S.65, deleg. of Min. functns. under. | S. I. No. 840 of 2004, o. 2 (a), sch., pt. 1 |
| Ss. 75, 78 - 80, deleg. of Min. functns. under. | S. I. No. 840 of 2004, o. 2 (a), sch., pt. 1 |
| S.121, deleg. of Min. functns. under. | S. I. No. 840 of 2004, o. 2 (a), sch., pt. 1 |
| Sch. amended | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(d) |
| Sch. 2 inserted | 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 6(e) |
SIs made under the Act
| Section | SIs made under the Act |
|---|---|
| S. 4 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1971 (S.I. No. 6 of 1971) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1970 (S.I. No. 244 of 1970) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1969 (S.I. No. 195 of 1969) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1969 (S.I. No. 139 of 1969) | |
| S. 5 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Commencement) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 169 of 1968) |
| S. 8 | Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 23 of 2018), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(5) |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(1), (3), (6), (7) | |
| Road Traffic (Control of Supply of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 301 of 1993) | |
| Road Traffic (Control of Supply of Vehicles) Regulations 1991 (S.I. No. 35 of 1991) | |
| S. 9 | Road Traffic (Speed Meter Detectors) Regulations 1991 (S.I. No. 50 of 1991) |
| S. 10 | Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 47 of 2025) |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 450 of 2023) | |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 23 of 2018), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(5) | |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 320 of 2017) | |
| Road Traffic (Plating and Speed Rating of Agricultural Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 247 of 2014) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 399 of 2012) | |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(1), (3), (6), (7) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 541 of 2001) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 75 of 2001) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 207 of 1998) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 173 of 1996) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. No. 286 of 1990) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) (Amendment) Regulations 1983 (S.I. No. 127 of 1983) | |
| Road Traffic (Licensing of Trailers and Semi-Trailers) Regulations 1982 (S.I. No. 35 of 1982) | |
| S. 11 | Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 47 of 2025) |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 23 of 2018), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(5) | |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 320 of 2017) | |
| Road Traffic (Plating and Speed Rating of Agricultural Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 247 of 2014) | |
| Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), see also 23/2016, ss. 1(2), 59(1), (3), (6), (7) | |
| S. 18 | Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Motorcycles) (Extension of Period of Validity of Certificate) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 357 of 2021) |
| Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (Extension of Period of Validity of Licence) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 215 of 2021) | |
| Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Motorcycles) (Extension of Period of Validity of Certificate) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 123 of 2020) | |
| Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Motorcycles) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 433 of 2018) | |
| Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Cars) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 406 of 2018) | |
| Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Cars) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 172 of 2011) | |
| Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Motorcycles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 681 of 2011) | |
| Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 203 of 2009) | |
| S. 28 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1976 (S.I. No. 240 of 1976) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 30 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 138 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 33 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 138 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 36 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) |
| S. 37 | The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order, 1968 (Amendment) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 364 of 1983) |
| Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 241 of 1968) | |
| S. 39 | The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order, 1968 (Amendment) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 364 of 1983) |
| Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 241 of 1968) | |
| S. 40 | The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order, 1968 (Amendment) Order 1983 (S.I. No. 364 of 1983) |
| Medical Bureau of Road Safety (Establishment) Order 1968 (S.I. No. 241 of 1968) | |
| S. 43 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1976 (S.I. No. 240 of 1976) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1974 (S.I. No. 336 of 1974) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 138 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 45 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 138 of 1973) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 46 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 47 | Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1976 (S.I. No. 240 of 1976) |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1974 (S.I. No. 336 of 1974) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 221 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 (S.I. No. 138 of 1973) | |
| Road Traffic Act, 1968 (Part V) Regulations 1969 (S.I. No. 196 of 1969) | |
| S. 60 | Road Traffic General Bye-Laws 1964 (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 393 of 1993) |
| Road Traffic General Bye-Laws (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 63 of 1993) | |
| Road Traffic General Bye-Laws (Amendment) Regulations 1991 (S.I. No. 204 of 1991) | |
| Road Traffic General Bye-Laws (Amendment) Regulations 1983 (S.I. No. 275 of 1983) | |
| Road Traffic General Bye-Laws (Amendment) Regulations 1975 (S.I. No. 281 of 1975) |