Ministers to implement total ban on scrambler use in public places
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 5 February 2026
- Last updated on: 5 February 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 proposals to implement a total ban on scrambler use in public places.
Following the tragic and untimely death of Grace Lynch on 25 January, the Taoiseach convened a meeting of key members of the Government and senior officials to discuss an outright ban on all scramblers.
The Ministers for Transport now propose regulations to implement a total ban on scrambler use in public places, and to strengthen the existing enforcement powers of An Garda Síochána. The intention is to close any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings, and to enhance powers of seizure to reduce the number of seized vehicles that end up back on the roads
It is intended to implement the ban within the coming weeks. As an immediate measure, the Ministers propose to amend regulations in order to increase the fees that accrue to a seized vehicle each day.
These regulations will further strengthen the provisions already in place to tackle dangerous scrambler use. Currently, under the Road Traffic Act 1961, mechanically propelled vehicles such as scramblers can only be legally driven on public roads if they are registered and have a registration plate. Most scramblers are designed for off-road use only and are unregistered, and are therefore already illegal for use on the road.
In the absence of registration, a vehicle cannot be taxed. The Gardaí have the power to seize vehicles being driven on public roads that have not been taxed or lack insurance, or where the driver does not hold the relevant driving licence. Once seized, An Garda Síochána has the power to dispose of a seized vehicle six weeks after the date of detention, provided two weeks' notice of the intention to dispose is given.
“These new regulations will help to bring additional legal clarity to the existing position that scramblers are banned for use on the road in almost all cases. We owe it to Grace Lynch, her family and her friends to introduce regulations to further restrict the inappropriate use of scramblers in public places as a matter of urgency.
“We call on all scrambler users to obey the laws that are designed to ensure the safety of everyone. We ask family members to speak with those in their lives who may ride scramblers illegally. Using off-road scramblers on roads is already illegal, and Gardaí have the necessary enforcement powers to intervene based on existing legislation.”
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien
“The new regulations will build on the existing legislative position and give clarity to the Gardai in relation to the use of scramblers in public places. It should be noted that most scramblers already cannot be used legally in public places, and none can legally be driven dangerously anywhere. An Garda Síochana already has full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, and they can also enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact. These powers are being used. Since 2023, over 1,000 e-scooters, quad bikes and scramblers have been seized.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney
“Anyone considering the purchase of an off-road scrambler should be aware that unless you plan to use it exclusively for off-road purposes such as farm work or not use it at all, there is no lawful reason to possess one. Where a scrambler is used entirely off roads and away from public places, and is driven safely with the permission of the landowner, it remains legal to use it and it is not our intention to restrict these lawful purposes.
“We must continue to bring forward strong legislative proposals accompanied by robust enforcement by An Garda Síochána to increase the safety of all road users.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer
Building on pre-existing powers and provisions, the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 introduced three key measures to further tackle dangerous scrambler use:
- It is now an offence to drive dangerously in any location, not just in public places
- Gardaí have the power to seize vehicles being driven dangerously
- The Minister for Transport can make regulations to restrict certain vehicles or classes of vehicles in particular locations
These three provisions are designed to work as a package were commenced in July 2023. Since commencement, off-road scramblers are no longer just illegal for use in public places—it is illegal to drive them dangerously anywhere, even on private land. More importantly, Gardaí have full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, even where they believe it will be driven dangerously, and they can enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact.