New road safety regulations requiring electric scooter riders in Ireland to wear helmets and high-visibility clothing take effect on Friday, September 4, 2026. The mandate marks the first step in a broader package of regulatory measures approved by the Irish government to improve traffic safety and curb casualties involving e-scooters.

The regulations were formally signed by Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney. Minister O'Brien stated that while e-scooters provide new urban transport opportunities, their increased adoption has coincided with a concerning rise in collisions, severe injuries, and fatalities. Minister Canney described the new requirements as a proportionate framework intended to strengthen safety standards and support police enforcement.

Under the updated rules, e-scooter riders caught without a helmet or high-visibility attire face a planned €100 fixed charge notice, with formal regulations establishing the fine structure expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. Additionally, daily storage and detention fees for e-scooters seized by Gardaí are set to double starting October 2, increasing to €80 for detention and the first day of storage, plus €30 for each additional day.

The Department of Transport is also seeking to raise the minimum age for e-scooter riders from 16 to 18 years. Following legal advice from the Attorney General's office, the government submitted the proposed age restriction to the European Commission under the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) notification process for a review lasting up to 12 weeks. Officials expect to enact the age limit before the end of the year. Further proposals regarding mandatory registration, insurance, and driving licence requirements remain under consideration pending an upcoming public health report.