Who can ride an e-scooter in Ireland from 2 October?

Who can ride an e-scooter from 2 October?

The age rule changes on 2 October 2026. From that day, the minimum age to use an e-scooter in a public place rises from 16 to 18, the Department of Transport announced on 22 September. The RSA's e-scooter page also gives 2 October as the change date. The Department wrote: “This change will come into effect from 2nd October 2026.”

In practical terms, anyone aged 16 or 17 who rides now will be below the new minimum from 2 October. That follows from the current minimum of 16 and the new minimum of 18. The new age applies to use in public places. A parent of a 16 or 17 year old may need to plan another way for a journey that currently depends on an e-scooter.

The change applies to the rider, not just to who owns the scooter. Lending an e-scooter does not make a 16 or 17 year old eligible to use it in a public place after the commencement date. The release describes the age increase as one of the new regulations, but does not give a separate fixed-charge amount for an under-age ride.

Fines and the cost of a seized scooter

A fixed-charge notice and a seizure fee are different costs. From 2 October, the Department says the fee for detention and the first day of storage will be €80. Each further day of storage will cost €30. The release says these detention and storage fees double on that date.

The RSA's current page lists €50 fixed-charge notices for offences including exceeding the speed limit, holding a mobile phone, carrying a passenger or goods, riding on a footway, and failing to obey traffic lights. It also says improper or dangerous use may lead to fines and the scooter being seized. Its listed fixed-charge table does not state a separate amount for riding below the new age.

The Department's release separately says fixed-charge notice amounts for e-scooter offences will rise to €100, and that a new €100 notice will apply for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing. It describes these as further measures to come in the coming weeks, as legal and administrative changes are confirmed, but gives no start date. The release dates the age and detention-fee changes to 2 October; it does not date the €100 measures to that day.

What does not change on the road

Riders who meet the new age limit must still follow the existing e-scooter rules. The RSA says the speed limit is 20 km/h, riders must keep left, and e-scooters may use cycle lanes, bus lanes and local, regional or national roads. They may not use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways.

An e-scooter is for one person. Riders must not carry passengers or goods, use a seat, or hold or use a mobile phone while riding. They must have lights, reflectors, brakes and a bell or other audible warning device, and keep the scooter roadworthy. Riders must obey traffic lights, road signs, pedestrian crossings and signals from a Garda or school warden.

Helmets and high-visibility clothing have already been mandatory since 4 September 2026. The RSA says the helmet must be secured and the high-visibility clothing must cover the front and back of the rider's torso. These requirements apply to riders who are old enough too.

What learner drivers should watch for

E-scooters can legally be in a cycle lane or bus lane, so check for a rider before turning across either lane or moving left to pull in. The RSA advises motorists to follow the same road-sharing guidance they use for cyclists. When overtaking, leave at least 1 metre in speed zones of 50 km/h or lower, and at least 1.5 metres in speed zones over 50 km/h.

If there is not enough room for that clearance, wait behind until there is space to pass safely. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing position, and expect an e-scooter rider to slow or stop for a signal, junction or pedestrian crossing. These are useful road-awareness points for a learner or novice driver sharing the road with a more exposed road user.

For revision, work through our lesson on vulnerable road users and practise the same observation and passing decisions in a car mock test.

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