Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
249. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the legal use of fully taxed and insured dual sport bikes; if he is conscious of the need to ensure that these legally compliant vehicles are differentiated as part of the process of legislating for the ban of scrambler bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11312/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, 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.
On 4 February, the Cabinet approved the preparation of regulations to fully ban the use of scramblers in any public place. I intend that these regulations will be introduced as a matter of urgency within the coming weeks.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Attorney General to develop the appropriate definition of scrambler to be used in the regulations to ensure that it does not inadvertently impose restrictions on other types of motorcycle that are not intended for increased regulation.
