Ireland tightens road rules for electric scooters and powered transporters

The Minister of State at the Department of Transport has signed two new statutory instruments amending road traffic rules for electric scooters and powered personal transporters, published in Iris Oifigiúil on 4 September 2026. The measures update enforcement and use rules under the Road Traffic Acts for users nationwide.

S.I. No. 454 of 2026, the Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, was made under section 41(1)(g) of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (No. 7 of 1994), a power inserted by section 32 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 (No. 16 of 2023). S.I. No. 455 of 2026, the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, was made under sections 5 and 11 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961).

Both instruments were made by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, exercising powers adapted by the Transport, Tourism and Sport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 351 of 2020) and the Transport (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 144 of 2025). The detention regulations were made after consultation with the Minister for Justice.

Detention of powered personal transporters

S.I. No. 454 of 2026 amends the detention regime for powered personal transporters under the Road Traffic Act 1994. The amendment updates the powers and procedures governing when such vehicles may be detained, reflecting the framework introduced by the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. The consultation with the Minister for Justice underlines the enforcement character of the change, which gives gardaí and authorised officers updated tools to deal with these vehicles on public roads.

Electric scooter use rules

S.I. No. 455 of 2026 amends the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations, updating the conditions under which electric scooters may be used on public roads. The changes flow from the general rule-making powers in sections 5 and 11 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which allow the Minister to regulate the use of mechanically propelled vehicles and related matters.

What the instruments cover

• S.I. No. 454 of 2026 — detention of powered personal transporters.
• S.I. No. 455 of 2026 — use of electric scooters.
• Both made by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport.
• Both published in Iris Oifigiúil, Number 71, 4 September 2026.

The two instruments directly affect the growing number of e-scooter and powered-transporter users across Ireland, updating the legal framework that governs how these vehicles are used and enforced on public roads. Copies are available from Government Publications, Mountshannon Road, Kilmainham, Dublin.

Source: Iris Oifigiúil, Number 71, 4 September 2026 (official references: S.I. No. 454 of 2026 and S.I. No. 455 of 2026).