Licence, tax and Insurance for...

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

To drive one of these on Irish roads?

https://boostedboards.com/the-board/

An electric powered skateboard.

From the Garda website:

What is the legal status of electric/battery powered scooters?

The use of these types of scooters has become very popular in recent years, especially with children. The legal position is that if one of these scooters can be powered by mechanical or electrical power alone, and does not require pedalling or scooting for propulsion, then the scooter is considered to be a mechanically propelled vehicle (MPV) in terms of road traffic legislation, irrespective of engine capacity. If such scooters are to be used in any public place, they require insurance and road tax as with any other MPV. The driver would also require a driving licence and is obliged to wear a crash helmet. If the user of such a scooter cannot fulfil these legal requirements, then the scooter should only be used on private property.

The above legislation only caters for electric scooters but does mention that if it can be powered by electrical power alone and doesn't require manual propulsion then it needs insurance and tax. Does the skateboard I posted fall under that category? I mean you can manually propel it, it's not fun, but you can. It can also go on its own steam without any manual propulsion. What if you only stuck to the footpaths? How well would this be enforced? Blind eye? Telling off? Points on licence? IMO it's only a matter of time before there are hundreds of these on our streets with the advances in tech they are only going to get better and cheaper.

Opinions?

MarkAnthony

Sir Clive, is that you?

_Brian

No, it specifically says that the vehicle must be powered by mechanical or electrical means alone, with that skate board you can out your foot down and push, one could argue that the electric function is secondary to regular pushing along with your foot.

The bigger problems are the antisocial nature if these become adorable you'll have heaps of kids on footpaths.
Also it takes away even more exercise.

However, I presume like the balance boards the problem self regulates as they explode or burn out, possibly burning your home too. The glut of balance boards brought by Santa seem to be well gone now.

Del2005

The Hunky Monster wrote: »

To drive one of these on Irish roads?

https://boostedboards.com/the-board/

An electric powered skateboard.

From the Garda website:



The above legislation only caters for electric scooters but does mention that if it can be powered by electrical power alone and doesn't require manual propulsion then it needs insurance and tax. Does the skateboard I posted fall under that category? I mean you can manually propel it, it's not fun, but you can. It can also go on its own steam without any manual propulsion. What if you only stuck to the footpaths? How well would this be enforced? Blind eye? Telling off? Points on licence? IMO it's only a matter of time before there are hundreds of these on our streets with the advances in tech they are only going to get better and cheaper.

Opinions?

Footpaths are for feet not bikes or skateboards. A blind eye is turned for kids but adults should be using the road when doing anything other than walking.

Del2005

_Brian wrote: »

No, it specifically says that the vehicle must be powered by mechanical or electrical means alone, with that skate board you can out your foot down and push, one could argue that the electric function is secondary to regular pushing along with your foot.

It doesn't say that it has to be only mechanically powered. It says if it can be propelled by mechanical power alone. If it moves without any user input it needs a licence tax and insurance. Not to worry though as I've seen several people driving past Gardai on EPG bikes with their feet not moving and the Gardai didn't do anything.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

So as expected, different answers. Anyone with some hard evidence that these need tax, insurance? Any idea where one would go about finding out the tax on one and who would even insure it?

Del2005

Del2005 wrote: »

Footpaths are for feet not bikes or skateboards. A blind eye is turned for kids but adults should be using the road when doing anything other than walking.

Never go to Holland, Christ the place is a joke the footpaths have more bikes than people walking and scooters (proper 80cc - 125cc ones) also use footpaths.

This is the model some people in Ireland would like us to follow too :rolleyes: