Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
323. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport when the regulations he has indicated will implement a total ban on the use of scrambler bikes and other off-road vehicles in public places will be made and commenced; whether the draft text of those regulations has been finalised; and if he will provide the anticipated commencement date and scope of the proposed prohibition. [11393/26]
View answer334. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on legislation to ban the use of scramblers in public spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9248/26]
View answer344. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport his current plans to regulate scrambler bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9459/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 334 and 344 together.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1961, mechanically propelled vehicles such as scramblers can only be legally driven on public roads if they are registered and have a registration plate. Most scramblers are designed for off-road use only and are unregistered, and are therefore illegal for use on the road. In the absence of registration, a vehicle cannot be taxed.
Exercising powers made by regulation under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, An Garda Síochána has the power to seize vehicles being driven on public roads that have not been taxed or lack insurance, or where the driver does not hold the relevant driving licence. Once seized, An Garda Síochána has the power to dispose of a seized vehicle six weeks after the date of detention, provided two weeks' notice of the intention to dispose is given.
Building on these pre-existing powers and provisions, the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 includes three key measures to further tackle dangerous scrambler use:
• 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 to seize scramblers being driven dangerously in any location;
• 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.
These three provisions are a comprehensive package of measures and were commenced by Statutory Instrument 392/2023 on 28 July 2023. Since commencement, off-road scramblers are no longer just illegal for use in public places - it is illegal to drive them dangerously anywhere, even on private land. More importantly, An Garda Síochána has full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, even where they have the reasonable belief that the vehicle will be driven dangerously, and they can enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact. These powers are being used. Since 2023, over 1,000 e-scooters, quad bikes and scramblers have been seized.
While the commencement of the third provision created regulation-making powers to restrict certain classes of vehicles, any such regulations will be incremental on the other restrictions outlined above and no regulations have yet been made.
The Taoiseach convened a meeting of key members of the Government and senior officials to discuss an outright ban on all scramblers on 28 January. It is my intention that regulations will be made to close any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings and implement a total ban on all scrambler use in any public place. I intend that these regulations will be introduced as a matter of urgency within the coming weeks, and I also propose to enhance Gardaí powers of vehicle seizure to reduce the number of seized vehicles that end up back on the roads.
