Ireland Bans Under-18s From E-Scooters and Mandates Safety Gear

The Government of Ireland approved new e-scooter regulations on Wednesday to combat a rise in serious injuries, with the rules taking effect by late August. The measures increase the minimum legal age for users from 16 to 18 and make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for all operators.

To deter offenses, on-the-spot fines will increase to €100. Fees for releasing detained scooters will also rise, with the first-day storage fee doubling in some reports to €250, while other figures indicate a first-day fee of €80 and €30 for subsequent days. Owners will also face fines if a person under 18 is caught using their vehicle.

Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien and Junior Minister Seán Canney confirmed that further legislation is being developed for September. This future phase will introduce vehicle registration, mandatory insurance, and the requirement for driving licenses or learner's permits.

These decisions follow health data showing 1,973 emergency department presentations related to e-scooters between 2021 and 2025, with children under 16 accounting for 64% of those cases. Temple Street Hospital specifically reported a 50% increase in traumatic brain injury admissions related to e-scooter crashes since June 2025.