The Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026 are intended to strengthen existing provisions and powers of enforcement by An Garda Síochána.

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, including on private land.

The 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 Department of Transport said.

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.

The regulation 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.

Transport minister Darragh 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.”

Seán Canney, minister of state with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, 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.”

Jerry Buttimer, minister of state with responsibility for rural transport, added: “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.”

The Department of Transport, in consultation with the Department of Justice, is separately finalising regulations to substantially increase the cost of releasing a scrambler following seizure.