Ministers announce regulations banning scrambler use in all public places
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 1 April 2026
- Last updated on: 1 April 2026
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney, and Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer, today announced new regulations to implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place. The new regulations come into effect on 3 April, strengthening existing provisions and powers of enforcement by An Garda Síochána.
The Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026 bring additional legal clarity by consolidating the disparate existing provisions into a single legislative instrument in respect of scramblers. The Regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or quadbike, in any place other than on private land. Using a scrambler in any public place will now explicitly be an offence, whether or not it is being driven dangerously. Off-road motorcycles are now only legal for use on private land by the landowner themselves, or with their written consent. This will allow for the continued appropriate off-road use of scramblers or quadbikes, for agricultural purposes and for controlled licenced sports events.
“These regulations complete the introduction of provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 to tackle the dangerous use of scramblers. The regulations will ensure that Gardaí have the full enforcement powers to remove the use of scramblers in public places and protect the safety of all road users.
“To honour the memory of Grace Lynch, and with the permission of her family, together these provisions applied to scramblers will be known as ‘Grace’s Law’. I hope that Grace’s name will be as a reminder to all of us that dangerous road use puts the lives of our friends, neighbours and families at risk.”
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien
“We have introduced these new regulations to strengthen current restrictions and address the inappropriate use of scramblers in public places. Road safety is a top priority for me, my Department and the Government. These regulations will further protect the safety of all road users and bring assurance to communities who have been affected by their dangerous use. The Government works collectively, collaboratively and continually with road safety stakeholders to ensure that safety of all road users remains topmost in all our minds.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney
“These new regulations will improve road safety in our communities by implementing an explicit ban on scrambler use in public places, and strengthening the powers of Gardaí to enforce this. It is important to note that appropriate off-road use of scramblers, such as for agricultural use or for controlled licenced sports events, remains legal and it is not our intention to restrict these uses.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer
Notes for Editors:
Since July 2023, off-road scramblers have been illegal for use on public roads and it has also been illegal to drive them dangerously anywhere, even on private land. An Garda Síochána has full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, even where they have the reasonable belief that the vehicle will be driven dangerously, and they can enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact. These powers are being used and over 1,000 e-scooters, quad bikes and scramblers have been seized between 2023 and end 2025. It has also been an offence to sell or otherwise supply a mechanically propelled vehicle, such as a scrambler, to a minor since 2004.
The Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026 have been prepared in exercise of the powers conferred by section 35A of the Road Traffic Act 1994, as inserted by section 11(b) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. These new regulations bring additional legal clarity by consolidating the disparate existing provisions into a single legislative instrument in respect of scramblers and will strengthen the existing enforcement powers of An Garda Síochána in respect of these vehicles.
The regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or a quadbike, in any place, except on private land with the written consent of the landowner or use by the landowner. The regulations will impose a requirement of consent where restricted vehicles are used on private land and will make enforcement easier. The mere use of scramblers will now explicitly be an offence, assisting An Garda Síochána operationally by ensuring that members will no longer have to form a reasonable belief about dangerous use.
The regulations will not apply to registered, on-road motorcycles that are safe and legal for road use. It is important to note however that dangerous driving offences and all relevant road traffic laws continue to apply to the use of these vehicles. The regulations will also allow for the continued appropriate off-road use of scramblers and quadbikes, such as for agricultural purposes and for controlled licenced sports events. The regulations require that such sports events must take place on private land and only with the prior written approval of the landowner.
The Department of Transport, in consultation with the Department of Justice, is currently finalising regulations to substantially increase the cost of releasing a scrambler following seizure.