Traffic wardens in Ireland
Information
Responsibility for enforcing the law in Ireland relating to illegal parking and stopping of motor vehicles rests with traffic wardens and An Garda Siochana (Irish police force). Illegal parking and stopping of vehicles on public roads in Ireland are considered traffic offences. Together with an Garda Siochana, traffic wardens are empowered to issue on-the-spot fines for these offences.
Each local authority throughout Ireland employs traffic wardens to monitor instances of these offences in their areas. Motor vehicles are covered under the Road Traffic Acts 1961-1975 and the principal legislation governing this area is the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act, 1975. Vehicles that are exempt from restrictions on stopping and parking include ambulances, police vehicles and fire brigade vehicles.
Duties of a traffic warden
In situations where a traffic warden has reasonable grounds for believing someone is committing or has committed an offence, he or she may deliver a notice on a prescribed form. This form is commonly known as a "parking ticket". This form will state that you have committed an offence and will state the date, time and location of the offence and will detail your vehicle registration. These powers are granted to traffic wardens under the Road Traffic Acts 1961-1975.
Most traffic wardens use a hand-held computerised device to issue tickets and the local authority keeps a record of all tickets issued in a main database. Using this database, the local authority can find out how many parking fines a particular individual has accumulated.
Parking is restricted in certain place in Ireland. For example, in certain towns and cities, the local authorities have the power to restrict parking at certain times and in certain places. These parking restrictions are clearly indicated through signs clearly displayed at the roadside. You can read more about parking fines and restrictions here.
Rules
A system of "on-the-spot" parking fines for illegal parking and non-payment of parking fees is in place throughout Ireland. On the spot fines for parking offences are 19 euro. Both traffic wardens and members of the Gardai issue fines.
The parking ticket will contain the following details: a reference number, the location of the offence, the registration number of the car, the amount of the fine and the date and time the ticket was issued.
If you have been given a parking ticket or notified by a traffic warden of an offence, you have 21 days commencing on the beginning of the date of the notice to pay the fine to the traffic division of your local authority. If you fail to pay within the allotted 21days, the local authority will send you a notice stating this and that you have a further seven days to pay the fine. If the fine is still unpaid by that stage, you will be sent a final notice, after which, the local authority will issue a summons and you could be prosecuted by the local authority in your District Court. At the moment, parking fines are issued without any reference to the Penalty Points system. However, this may change when the Points system is fully implemented.
It is an offence to remove or interfere with a parking ticket that has been placed on the vehicle of another person. If you do so, you could be liable to a fine.
Anyone obstructing a traffic warden acting in the course of his or her duty is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
Traffic wardens can request or demand your name and address. They are obliged to carry identification with them and to identify themselves as traffic wardens. Failure to give your name and address on demand is also an offence and you may be liable on a summary conviction to a fine.
Rates
On-the-spot fines for parking offences in Ireland can range from 19 euro to 60 euro, depending on the nature of the offence. All fines are payable to the traffic division of your local authority.
How to apply
Traffic wardens are local authority employees. Posts are routinely advertised in your local or national newspaper. Further information on upcoming vacancies or requirements for employment as a traffic warden are available directly from the Corporate Services/HR Department of your local authority.
Language
Related Documents
- Parking fines and vehicle clamping
A system of parking fees, restrictions and fines is in place throughout towns and cities in Ireland. Information on fines, parking restrictions and enforcement of the law by your local authority. - Parking facilities for people with disabilities
This document describes facilities in car parks around Ireland that are designed for people with disabilities. - Disabled Person's Parking Card
The European Parking Card scheme, makes free parking available for disabled drivers and passengers in Ireland.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.