Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department had expected to commence the parts of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 relating to powered personal transporters (PPTs) and to introduce regulations for e-scooters following the EU TRIS process under the Single Market Transparency Directive (EU) 2015/1535. Some technical and legal issues were identified during drafting, in part taking account of recent comments received from the EU Commission during the TRIS process, which have delayed their introduction. Regulations for e-scooters are now expected to be in place in Q1 2024. E-scooters will not be legal to use in public places until that time.

No e-scooter which exceeds the parameters for maximum weight, power output and design speed will be permitted for use in public places. It is intended that e-scooters must display a manufacturer's plate to indicate that they adhere to these parameters. Ensuring that any vehicle obeys the speed limit, as with the enforcement of all road traffic legislation, is ultimately a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Separately, new rules, requiring registration, taxation, insurance and a driver’s licence, will shortly also apply to electric mopeds (e-mopeds). E-mopeds are higher-powered electric bikes which may be capable of achieving greater speeds. While these vehicles will not require regulations, administrative changes are currently being made by the relevant State bodies to allow e-moped owners to register and tax their vehicles and to undergo a driving test. These new rules will come into effect alongside the rules for e-scooters when the relevant parts of the Act are commenced in early 2024.