Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
195. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if e-scooters and other powered personal transporters are covered by public liability insurance in the same way bicycles are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22610/24]
View answer196. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport whether regulations surrounding insurance for e-scooters and powered personal transporters of a certain power are forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22611/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and Road Traffic Act 2024 created a new vehicle class, powered personal transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters. PPTs are not classified as mechanically propelled vehicles MPVs and, as PPTs, e-scooters will not need registration, tax or motor insurance and users will not need a driving licence.
Regulations setting technical requirements for e-scooters, conditions for their safe use and enforcement provisions came into effect on Monday 20 May. E-scooters which comply with the regulations may now be used in public places and the general rules of the road for bicycles apply.
The use of e-scooters which do not comply with the legislation and other types of PPT, such as hoverboards and electric skateboards, on public roads remains prohibited.
As with bicycles and e-bikes, there is no legal requirement for private citizens to take out public liability or any other type of insurance for e-scooters. However, there may be a range of commercial insurance requirements for operators of rental or shared-schemes.
