Updated to 11 December 2024 (Act No. 48 of 2024 and S.I. No. 697 of 2024)
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 (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 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) |