Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2022
14. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport his plans to regulate e-scooters on public roads and footpaths considering the risk associated with such vehicles being used by young children or at high speeds by any age group; if he will explain the insurance and tax implications of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/22]
View answerElectric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore, it is illegal to use them on public roads and in public places. However, their use is permitted on private land, with the permission of the landowner. While their use on public roads (including footpaths) is illegal, I am aware that they are currently being used in these places.
It is intended to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government as soon as possible, so that they may be used on our roads within a clear legal framework. Provision to regulate for their use has been made in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which has completed second stage in the Dáil and is due to go to committee stage shortly.
In order to allow for the rapid pace of technological change in this area, specific controls on the use of e-scooters will be set out in regulations, following the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas. The use of e-scooters on public roads will become legal only once these regulations are in place. As PPTs will be a new category of vehicles, they will no longer be classified as mechanically propelled vehicles and will not be subject to licensing, tax and insurance requirements.
