Written answers
Thursday, 6 November 2025
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Road Traffic Offences
Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, focusing on scrambler bikes and e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60838/25]
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was enacted in June 2023. It is a large piece of legislation which covers multiple topics including scrambler bikes and e-scooters.
The Act includes provisions to tackle dangerous driving and the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes via three key measures:
- Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
- Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána were granted new powers of seizure;
- Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 also legalised the use of e-scooters and a comprehensive suite of regulations has been introduced to effectively govern the safe use of these in public places:
- The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 199 of 2024) provides for technical standards and conditions for safe use, including a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h.
- The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 200 of 2024) provides that signs for bicycle use will also apply to e-scooters.
- The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 222 of 2024) provides for traffic rules, including forbidding use on motorways, footpaths and pedestrianised areas.
- The Road Traffic (Use of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 224 of 2024) provides that other types of powered personal transporters (PPTs), and e-scooters which do not comply with the regulations, will remain illegal to use in public places.
- The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 223 of 2024) gives An Garda Síochána powers to seize and detain non-compliant e-scooters or other types of PPTs.
- The Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 227 of 2024), provides for fixed charge penalties of €50.00 for certain e-scooter offences.
- S.I. 197 of 2024 commences Part 12 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which regulates PPTs and pedal cycles.
- S.I. 198 of 2024 commences Part 1 and sections 16-19 and 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2024.
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