Regulations banning scrambler use in public places have been announced, and will come info effect on Friday.
There have been ongoing calls for regulations banning scrambler use to be implemented following the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas earlier this year.
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 banning scrambler use in any public place.
The new regulations come into effect on Friday, 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.
Ministerial reaction about banning scramblers
Minister O’Brien said: “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 Canney said: “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 Buttimer said: “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.”
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