Can you drink and ride an electric scooter? The short answer is no. Since January 1, 2026, enforcement of CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 has expanded and now includes Brazil's drunk-driving laws for electric scooter riders.
This means that at joint checkpoints involving municipal guards and traffic police, you may be asked to take a breathalyzer test, just like motorcycle and car drivers. In Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 also reinforces rules governing where and how this equipment may be used.
This complete 2026 guide explains what has changed, the applicable speed limits and what to do to avoid having your scooter impounded at a checkpoint. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
Electric scooters and alcohol: what do Brazil's drunk-driving laws say in 2026?
The rule is clear: operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol or any psychoactive substance is prohibited. This requirement is established by CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 and has been fully enforced since January 1, 2026.
At checkpoints, officers may stop scooter riders, administer a breathalyzer test and, if the result indicates alcohol consumption, apply the applicable penalties. This applies on any public road or pathway, including sidewalks, bike paths and streets in Maringá.
In practice, the recommendation is simple: if you drink, don't ride an electric scooter. If you are going to a bar or event in Maringá, use a rideshare service, taxi or get a ride from someone who has not been drinking.
What are the maximum permitted speeds in Maringá?
In Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 establishes specific limits that you must follow to ride legally.
- Bike paths and protected bike lanes: maximum speed of 20 km/h (12.4 mph).
- Sidewalks, squares and parks: maximum speed of 6 km/h (3.7 mph).
- Shared-traffic roads: permitted only where the road's speed limit is no more than 40 km/h (24.9 mph).
In addition, wearing a helmet is mandatory, and the scooter must have a speed indicator, bell and nighttime lighting or reflective signaling. Be aware: riding on high-speed roads or streets with elevated speed limits is completely prohibited.
32 km/h limit: what happens if my scooter is faster?
CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 defines electric scooters as low-speed mobility equipment, with a factory-set technical limit of 32 km/h (19.9 mph). If your equipment is found traveling above that speed, the situation changes completely.
When an electric scooter exceeds 32 km/h—usually because its factory speed limiter has been removed—it is automatically reclassified as a moped. In that case, the rider needs a driver's license, and the vehicle may be impounded at a checkpoint if you do not have the required license.
Therefore, never remove the factory speed limiter. Keeping your scooter within its original specifications is the best way to ensure that it continues to be classified as mobility equipment rather than a motor vehicle.
What else changed in enforcement in 2026?
In addition to Brazil's drunk-driving laws, full enforcement of CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 introduced other rules that are now being checked on the streets:
- No passengers: use is strictly individual. Carrying a passenger is a violation.
- Minimum age: determined by each municipality; in many cities, riders must be at least 16 or 18 years old when unaccompanied.
- Parking: parking on sidewalks, accessibility ramps and in front of garage entrances is prohibited.
- Documentation: a driver's license is not required for scooters with a top speed of up to 32 km/h, but you must follow applicable municipal rules.
In Maringá, enforcement is expected to follow Municipal Law 11.981/2025, adapting federal rules to the local context. Keep an eye on official notices from the city government.
Tips to avoid having your scooter impounded at a checkpoint
Always riding legally is the best approach. Here is what to do to avoid