For the purposes of road traffic legislation 'public place' means any public road, and any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge. Road traffic legislation does not extend to the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on private property. Road traffic legislation does not extend to the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on private property. The definition of a mechanically vehicle for the purposes of road traffic legislation includes quadricycles.
A range of requirements must be satisfied in relation to both the vehicle and the driver in order to use a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place. A vehicle must comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963, as amended. These Regulations prescribe the requirements in relation to essential matters, such as brakes, steering, mirrors and lighting.
A driving licence is required in order to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place. A person under 16 years may not hold a driving licence or a learner permit. The minimum age for a driving licence for vehicles of category AM (includes light quadricycles) is 16 years while for a category B licence, which includes quadricycles not covered by category AM, it is 17 years. It is a further requirement of road traffic legislation that to use a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place the driver must have third party insurance cover to meet personal injury and property damage caused by their negligent driving.
In addition to the above requirements under road traffic legislation, a mechanically propelled vehicle for use in a public place is required to be registered and is liable to motor tax, which are matters for the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
