E-scooter ban: What are the current rules and what could change in Ireland?

The Government is weighing an outright ban as concerns grow over child injuries, enforcement and the effectiveness of current regulations

E-scooter ban in Ireland: Your questions answered on rules, enforcement and next steps

Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil this week he is "leaning towards" a ban on e-scooters on Irish roads.

The comments follow concerns raised by medical professionals about serious injuries sustained by children using the vehicles.

However, questions have also been raised about whether existing laws are being adequately enforced.

Here is what the current rules are, what options the Government is considering, and what enforcement challenges gardaí face.

What are the current rules for e-scooters?

Since May 2024, specific regulations have applied to electric scooters.

Users must be at least 16 years old, ride no faster than 20km/h, and e-scooters must be fitted with bells, lights and brakes. Riders must also obey traffic lights.

Users cannot ride on footpaths, use a mobile phone, carry passengers or use their scooters for deliveries.

Are these rules being followed?

Anecdotal evidence suggests they are not. It has been suggested that many e-scooter speed limiters can be overridden, allowing the vehicles to exceed the 20km/h limit.

Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has also reported that six children were admitted to intensive care at CHI Temple Street with traumatic brain injuries following e-scooter accidents over a two-week period.

Gardaí have also expressed concerns about enforcement. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly told the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Tuesday that specialist pursuit training for gardaí would not begin until early next year. However, he stressed that pursuits involving scramblers and e-scooters were "very risky" for gardaí, riders and the general public.

What options are being considered?

There are currently three options under consideration: an outright ban, a registration system, and the introduction of tax and insurance requirements.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and transport minister Sean Canney have both said they favour an outright ban.

However, there are also concerns within senior Government circles about the potential consequences of such a move, including whether people who are currently using e-scooters legally could challenge a ban.

The idea of registration has been proposed by campaigners, including the parents of Dublin teenager Grace Lynch, who died in January after being hit by a scrambler.

Mr Kelly said it was "not possible to get these vehicles insured" and that, with "many, many, many thousands of them already in existence", introducing insurance retrospectively would be "quite challenging".

What are other countries doing?

Since January 2024, all e-scooters sold in Spain have been required to carry official certification confirming they comply with traffic laws. Since January 2026, all e-scooters have also required mandatory civil liability insurance.

In France, electric scooters have required insurance since 2019.

In the United Kingdom, privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements.

When will a decision be made?

While Government leaders will meet next week to consider a discussion paper sought by Mr Canney, a decision is not expected immediately, as legal advice may be required from the Attorney General.

The Irish Examiner understands deputy chief medical officer Dr Ellen Crushell has asked Children's Health Ireland to compile a report on injuries sustained by children using e-scooters by the end of July, or as soon as all relevant information is available.

It is expected to be mid-August before Dr Crushell's report, along with any recommendations, is submitted to health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.