Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
DfI considers measured speeds, collision history, traffic volumes, vulnerable road users, road layout, access needs and the likely effects on residents and emergency services.
Yes. Residents can request speed humps, cushions or other traffic-calming measures from DfI Roads.
Residents can ask DfI to assess whether a pedestrian crossing is justified, but installation is not automatic.
Poorly timed permanent traffic lights can be reported to DfI Roads even if the signals are technically working.
Oil, debris or a dangerous obstruction should be reported promptly; use PSNI for an immediate danger and DfI Roads for road-maintenance issues.
Blocked road drains and gullies on the public road network can be reported to DfI Roads.
Faded or missing road markings should be reported to DfI Roads as a road fault.
Report a missing, damaged or obscured traffic sign to DfI Roads using the road-fault reporting service.
Yes. DfI can introduce temporary restrictions for roadworks, events, safety or other traffic-management needs without making the arrangement permanent.
PSNI can close a road immediately after a collision where necessary for safety, rescue, investigation or traffic management.
Permanent closures or prohibitions on public roads are normally authorised by DfI through the appropriate statutory road or traffic order.
If signs are missing or unclear, do not guess from sat-nav data; use the road type, street-lighting rules and DfI information to establish the legal limit.
An advisory speed sign is guidance rather than a separate statutory speed limit, but ignoring it can still be unsafe and relevant to careless or dangerous driving.
In Northern Ireland, a road with a system of street lighting will usually be subject to a 30 mph limit unless signs show another limit.
You can ask DfI Roads to review a speed limit, but a request does not automatically mean the limit will change.
The Department for Infrastructure sets statutory speed limits on Northern Ireland roads through road traffic legislation and speed-limit orders.
Yes. A Northern Ireland Blue Badge can be used when the badge holder is travelling as a passenger in a taxi, provided the badge is being used for the holder’s own benefit.
Yes. The Blue Badge belongs to the eligible person, not to a particular private vehicle, so it can be used when the holder is travelling in another vehicle.
No. A Northern Ireland Blue Badge is for the holder’s benefit and must not be lent to someone who is travelling without the badge holder.
Apply for a replacement through the Northern Ireland Blue Badge replacement service if your badge is lost or stolen.
Renew through the Northern Ireland Blue Badge service, normally online or by application to the Blue Badge Unit, before the existing badge expires.
Northern Ireland Blue Badge eligibility includes several automatic qualifying benefits and other routes based on severe mobility, blindness, severe arm disability or certain journey-planning difficulties.
A Northern Ireland Blue Badge may be recognised in the Republic of Ireland, but you should check the Irish disabled-parking rules and local restrictions before relying on it.
Yes, a valid Northern Ireland Blue Badge can be used in Great Britain, but the parking concessions and display rules can differ between England, Scotland and Wales.
Disabled drivers can seek guidance from DVA/nidirect and specialist mobility or vehicle-adaptation organisations about suitable controls, access equipment and assessments.
A driving assessment looks at whether a person can control a vehicle safely and whether adaptations, training or restrictions could help.
Yes. DVA can make the use of particular vehicle controls or adaptations a condition of a licence where that is necessary for safe driving.
Northern Ireland licences can carry restriction codes identifying conditions such as automatic transmission or specific modified controls.
Where an adaptation is required for you to drive safely, the relevant restriction can need to be recorded on the Northern Ireland driving licence.
Disabled drivers in Northern Ireland must meet the same fundamental fitness-to-drive standards, declare relevant conditions and comply with any licence restrictions or adaptations specified by DVA.
