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Driving School Ireland,
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Section 6 b:
Traffic signs and Road Markings
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Special signs and markings for buses, bicycles, trams, rail and light rail
There are special regulatory signs and markings used to show the parts of a road that are reserved for particular vehicles, namely buses, bicycles, trams and light rail. The signs can be regulatory, warning and/or information signs. The design of the signs is consistent with the design of regulatory, warning and/or information signs.
This section deals with the more common signs that you will see as a road user. You should take care when you see any signs for buses, bicycles, trams, rail and light rail.
Bus
Bus lanes
Bus lanes are sections of road reserved for buses, whether public or private. Taxis and bicycles may also use some bus lanes.
Where there is a bus lane, you will see an upright blue and white sign on the side of the road on a pole and on the roadway there will be markings of a continuous white line and the words 'L.na Bus'. You must obey the road marking and the sign. The white plate shows when the section of road is meant only for the buses shown. Normally bus lanes operate from 7am to 7pm or during peak hours. Outside these times, all traffic may use them. You should check the information plate to confirm the time limits that apply.
Bus Lane
Contra-Flow Bus Lane
There are two types of bus lane:
- with-flow, and
- contra-flow.
A with-flow near-side bus lane, shown below, runs in the same direction as the traffic beside it. It can be used by bicycles and taxis as well as buses and is normally reserved during the periods shown on information signs at the start of the lane.
Contra-flow bus lane
A contra-flow bus lane runs in the opposite direction to the traffic beside it. It is reserved only for buses, which means that no other traffic may use it, day or night.
Contra flow bus laneIf a 'yield' sign appears at the end of the bus lane, the bus must give way to other vehicles as it merges back into normal traffic.
Bus-only streets
As their name suggests, these streets are intended only for buses. Other traffic may use them only to get access to a building or side road.
Bus Only Street
Section 10 covers the rules on parking in bus lanes.
Trams/Light Rail
Road users must be familiar with signs for tram tracks for on-street trams (such as the Luas in Dublin city and suburbs)
Regulatory signs for tram lanes
The blue signs below show that a tram lane is running beside a traffic lane ahead. A driver can only enter the tram lane to overtake another vehicle when it is safe to do so.
Tram lane on left
Tram Lane on Right
The red and white sign below shows that a pedestrian may not walk beyond the point where the sign is placed.
No entry for pedestrians to tramway
A 'No Entry' sign with the information plate 'Except Trams - Ach amhain Tramanna' means that the street is only for trams and no other traffic is allowed enter it.
Tram only street
Tram and access only street
A 'No Entry' sign with the information plate 'Except Trams and Access - Ach amh.in Tramanna agus Rochtain' means that a driver or cyclist may enter the street if they need to enter or leave a building.
Remember, when approaching junctions where there is a tram line:
- obey traffic lights, and
- keep yellow junction boxes completely clear.
For more information on traffic lights. See Section 7. For more information on types of junctions. See Section 9.
Warning signs for tram lanes
Pedestrians should cross tram tracks only where they see the sign below. It displays a tram symbol and the words 'Feach gach treo - LOOK BOTH WAYS' to indicate a tramway crossing point.
The alternative text that may be shown on this warning is 'Feach ar dheis, LOOK RIGHT' or 'Feach ar chid, LOOK LEFT'.
When in the vicinity of tramways, pedestrians are advised to:
- stop, look both ways, listen,
- walk, do not run,
- always use designated crossing points, and
- obey signs and listen for warning horns and tram chimes.
Look Both Ways
Look right
Look left
Cyclists need to take special care because tram tracks can be slippery, especially during wet or icy weather. The Luas warning sign for cyclists is shown below.
Slippery for cyclists
In particular, cyclists should avoid braking while on tram rails. They should always cross tram rails at a right angle or as close to it as possible.
They should take care to avoid getting their bicycle wheels caught in the groove of the tram rails.
Road users should be aware of the overhead wires used by trams. This is particularly important for drivers carrying loads and people carrying long items. All road users should be careful not to risk electrocution by touching overhead wires, even indirectly.
Overhead electric cable
Tramway crossing ahead
Lana tram road marking
The LANA TRAM roadmarking sign may be used to draw attention to the presence of tram tracks. It is an information sign to tell you there is a section of road used by trams and vehicles. Drivers should exercise additional care.
Rail/Light Rail
Level crossings
It is important to know the traffic signs that indicate the different types of level crossings. The following table shows the different signs and what you must do when you see them.
| Level crossing signs | What you must do | |
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Level crossing ahead, guarded by gates or lifting barriers |
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Level crossing ahead, unguarded by gates or lifting barriers | As a train approaches, two red lights will start
flashing.
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Level crossing ahead with lights and barriers |
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Other types of level crossings include:
- attended gated crossings, and
- unattended crossings with barriers that extend over the full width of the road.
Road vehicles risk hitting level crossing gates, barriers and trains, so you must approach level crossings with care and be able to come to a stop in front of the gates or barriers.
If your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck on a level crossing:
- make sure that everybody gets out and gets clear of the railway line, and
- use the phone provided by Iarnread Ireann or warn of the danger immediately as best you can.
REMEMBER
You must not trespass onto a railway line. It is highly dangerous.
Railway bridges
Warning signs
As you approach a bridge, you will see a warning sign, such as the sign below, showing the highest vehicle that will be able to pass under the bridge. The height is called the maximum headroom and is written first in feet and inches and then in metres.
Low bridge ahead
(height restriction show)
If your vehicle, including any load being carried, is higher than the height shown on the warning sign, you will not fit under the bridge ahead. It is very important to know the height of your vehicle and of any load being carried before you start your journey - know your height, know your route.
Information signs
You must report all incidents of striking any railway structure whether or not damage is obvious. The information signs shown below appear on bridges and give the code for the bridge and a local Iarnrod Eireann contact phone number.
Advance information sign for low clearance
Regulatory signs
The sign below is a regulatory height restriction sign, which may appear on a railway bridge. You must not pass one of these if your vehicle is higher than the height shown on the sign.
Height restriction
In the case of arch bridges, the signposted height is available only over a certain width of the arch. This width is shown by 'goalposts'.
Height restriction
Where the rail line is located under a bridge and vehicles can cross a roadway on top of the bridge there can be restrictions on vehicles entitled to use the bridge.
Overhead structures
You must report any striking of any overhead structure by your vehicle or by any load wherever the above regulatory sign has been provided. Structures include any bridge, viaduct, subway, underpass, overpass, flyover or tunnel.
REMEMBER
Know your Height, Know your Route.
Road tunnel signs
These lane control signs will be found above each traffic lane at, or on, the approach to the entrance to a road tunnel and at regular intervals inside a road tunnel. When the signs are operational, the amber lights at the top, and at the bottom, will flash in turn.
A green arrow pointing down means the lane is open and it is permitted to proceed in that lane.
Go (lane open)
A red X means the lane is closed. You must stop. You must not pass this sign. It has the same effect as a stop sign.
Stop (lane closed)
A green arrow pointing to the left means you must move into the left-hand lane. In doing so you must observe the general rules of the road relating to safely changing lanes.
Move into the left-hand lane
A green arrow pointing to the right means you must move into the right-hand lane. In doing so you must observe the general rules of the road relating to safely changing lanes.
Move into the right-hand lane
The following sign means that goods vehicles and large non-passenger vehicles with three or more axles cannot use the right-hand lane of the carriageway. You must travel in the left-hand lane of the carriageways in a road tunnel.
In a tunnel goods vehicles cannot use right-hand lane (by reference to number of axles)
The regulation does not apply when:
- a red X is displayed over the left-hand lane, which means the lane must not be used
- a green arrow is displayed over the left-hand lane, which directs all vehicles to use the left-hand lane, or
- the left-hand lane is blocked.
There are two forms of speed limit signs in tunnels.
- A standard speed limit sign applies where there is a fixed speed limit in a tunnel. You must obey the speed limit and remember this is the maximum permitted speed, not the required speed.
30km/h
50km/h
60km/h
80km/h
- Where the speed limit can vary in a tunnel, you will see a variable message sign, which is a black square with a red circle and figures in white or yellow. The speed limit is shown by the numbers and will vary according to traffic conditions and road safety considerations. You must obey the speed limit and remember this is the maximum permitted speed, not the required speed.
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Section 6A
- Regulatory Signs
- Stop and Yield Signs
- One-way streets
- Road markings
- Warning signs
- Information signs
- Traffic calming signs
