Ministers introduce regulations raising minimum age for e-scooter use to 18

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney today introduced new regulations to raise the age limit for e-scooter users from 16 to 18 years of age. This change will come into effect from 2nd October 2026.
Regulations to double the fees for detention and storage of seized e-scooters have also been signed. This means that fees will rise to €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each additional day of storage. This will also take effect from 2nd October. 
These regulations follow recent changes making helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for e-scooter users since 4th September 2026.

Minister O’Brien said:
“Increasing the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18 is a necessary and proportionate road safety measure. We have seen a concerning number of serious injuries and fatalities involving young e-scooter users, and our regulations need to address this. Together with the recent introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, these changes send a clear message that e-scooters must be used responsibly and safely.”  

Minister Canney said:
“I am happy to have signed these regulations today. They are about protecting lives and preventing serious injuries. Raising the minimum age for e-scooter users to 18, alongside mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, will help to improve safety and encourage responsible behaviour on our roads.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said:
“Raising the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18, alongside the introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, is a sensible measure that will help protect road users and promote responsible use. Our focus is on ensuring that active and sustainable travel options can continue to grow in a way that is safe for everyone, whether in urban centres or rural communities.”

Following legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, the proposed age limit increase was notified to the European Commission through the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process. This process usually involves a 12-week standstill. However, Ireland sought the application of an expedited ‘Urgency Procedure’, citing significant road safety concerns and the serious injuries associated with underage use of e-scooters. The Commission accepted Ireland’s case and agreed that the Urgency Procedure was justified. As a result, the standard 12-week TRIS standstill period no longer applied, enabling Ministers to introduce regulations at this stage.

Government approved a series of road safety measures for e-scooters in July 2026. Further measures will be introduced in the coming weeks, as the necessary legislative, administrative and technical changes are confirmed:

• Charges for Fixed Charge Notices will be increased to €100 for e-scooter offences.
• A Fixed Charge Notice offence for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing while using an e-scooter will be introduced at the new rate of €100.

Further work is also being progressed on the registration of e-scooters.