Parking

Dangerous Parking

A person shall not park a vehicle in a public place if it is likely to cause danger to other persons using that place. Contravention in the case of a first offence during hours of darkness or subsequent offences is subject to a class B fine and imprisonment for up to one month or both. In other cases, it is subject to a class C fine.

A member of the Garda Siochana may arrest a person who is committing or has committed the offence without a warrant.

Lighting up hours means between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset.

Cameras may be used for the detection of offences. This offence is subject to three points on payment of a fixed charge penalty and five points on conviction in court.

In the case of a breach during lighting-up hours with a vehicle which does not fulfil the requirements for lighting and reflectors within three years of a previous offence, a mandatory disqualification for six months applies.

Obstructing Traffic

It is an offence to do any act by commission or omission which causes traffic to any public place to be obstructed.  It is subject to the general penalty. It is a defence where  the person acted under any lawful authority.

What constitutes an obstruction will depend on the circumstances. The adjoining owner has a right to the reasonable use of the subsoil adjoining the premises. This is subject to the public’s rights of passage, including the right to vehicular traffic.

It is a defence for the registered owner to show the vehicle was parked by another without his consent, and such parking was not permitted.

In certain cases persons may be permitted to park where they hold a permits at specified locations.

Exceptions

There is an exception to the general obligations for

• emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties
• vehicles used in the removal of obstructions
• vehicles used by public authorities, national road authorities, or their agents in maintaining traffic signs, lighting
• waste collection sweeping cleaning, or gritting of the road
• vehicles used for facilitating the immobilisation of a vehicle
• vehicles used by traffic wardens in the performance of their duties
• vehicles that have been damaged or broken down during the period necessary to effect repairs and remove it

Parking Prohibitions

Vehicles may not be parked

• in contravention of the relevant “no parking” signs
• including, in particular, double yellow lines
• roadways with the relevant traffic signal no parking signs
• within 3 m of a road junction
• within taxi stand or bus stop
• in a manner which obstructs emergency vehicles
• in a manner that obstructs an entrance or exit for vehicles from the premises without the consent of the owner
• within 15 m on the approach side and 5 m of  a junction where there are the signs for a zebra pedestrian crossing, traffic lights or  zigzag pedestrian crossing lines
• On a footway grass margin or median strip
• in a casual trading area during hours of trading other than a vehicle used for the purpose of casual trading
• in a manner which interferes with the normal flow of traffic
• in the cycle lane (where relevant traffic signs appear)
• on a straight road with less than three lanes with a no-overtaking sign

It is not permitted to park along the road with a single yellow line. Where the sign for restricted parking is shown, a vehicle may be parked only for the length of time and during the period indicated on the sign. When the vehicle is removed, it may not be parked again in that place for one hour.

Special Restrictions

A  large public service vehicle shall not park where the sign says no parking except for buses as provided. Buses may be subject to a maximum time limit.

In some cases, the signs restrict larger vehicles or vehicles above a certain weight from parking. They may exempt loading or unloading for a period of generally 20 minutes.

Parking in a bus lane is prohibited and is subject to a fixed charge penalty. A person may not park in a bus lane during its hours of operation. A person may not park in a contraflow bus lane.

A person may not park in a clearway subject to the terms of the sign.

A vehicle may not be stopped or parked where the sign “school entrance” is present.  A person may not park in a loading bay specifically signed. A goods vehicle may park in accordance with the periods indicated for loading and unloading.

Certain bodies may grant a disabled person’s permit. It must be displayed. A person holding such a certificate may park in certain places which are otherwise prohibited.

Trams

There are regulations about parking applicable to streets with trams. There are signs binding on tram drivers, motor vehicle drivers, and pedestrians in streets with trams.

Drivers of trams are subject to specific signs applicable to the trams. In some circumstances they are obliged to yield to traffic. The relevant sign will show whether the street is tram only or a tramline on which driving is permitted subject to conditions.

There are some exceptions, such as for access and egress and entering and leaving a premises subject to conditions.

Local Authority Byelaws

The local authority has the power to make byelaws for the control and regulation of vehicles parking within their area. It may make different byelaws for different areas, different classes of vehicles, different circumstances and different times. Where bye-laws apply, vehicles may be parked only in accordance with the terms of the byelaws.

It may provide for

• specification of parking places
• payment of fees by meter purchase,  document or otherwise,
• limitations on parking for a period
• specification of classes of vehicles
• exemptions
• proofs of compliance with reference to meters and equipment.

Before making byelaws, the local authority is to consult with an Garda Commissioner and publish a notice of the proposed byelaws in a newspaper. It is to invite representations in that notice within a period which are to be taken into account by the local authority and Garda commissioners.

Contravention of the byelaws is an offence generally on the part of the registered owner or user of the vehicle. The user may have a defence if he can prove that the use was unauthorised or it was subject to a hire drive agreement.

Local authorities may make byelaws in relation to taxi stands within their area. Breach of the byelaws is an offence. It may be subject to a fixed charge penalty. On conviction in court, the general penalty applies.

Local authorities may make bylaws in relation to car parks specifying the classes of vehicles, charges, time of use, etc. Contravention is an offence.