While you living in Maringá can freely ride an e-scooter on bike lanes, protected cycle paths, and shared streets, across the Atlantic the story is completely different. In the United Kingdom, privately owned e-scooters remain banned from public roads through October 2026, with no concrete plans for change in the coming months.
The contrast is striking: while Brazilian legislation, through CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023, regulated and legalized e-scooter use with clear rules, the UK still classifies the device as a motorized vehicle, requiring registration, insurance, and a driver's license — requirements consumer-grade equipment cannot meet. The practical result is a complete ban on private use.
Recently, in February 2026, the British government signaled plans to review its legislation and lawmakers introduced bills, but nothing has been approved so far. For those traveling with an e-scooter or curious about how Brazil got ahead in this debate, we explain everything below.
Why is the e-scooter banned in the UK?
The ban stems from an old law: the Road Traffic Act of 1988, which classifies e-scooters as "powered transporters" or motorized vehicles. This means that technically, a private e-scooter would need:
- Vehicle registration and licensing
- Mandatory insurance
- Driver's license (Category A)
- Vehicle inspection
- License plate
Since consumer e-scooters cannot meet these requirements, the UK solution has been to permit only rental e-scooters within official government pilot programs, which have their own safety standards. Anyone using a private e-scooter on public roads faces fines, license points, and equipment seizure.
Recent developments in the UK: signs of change?
On February 18, 2026, the UK Minister of Transport signaled plans to legalize private e-scooters with new safety regulations. A week later, on February 26, lawmakers introduced the "E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill," which doesn't legalize the device but requires the government to review legislation and launch awareness campaigns.
Even so, through October 2026 no law has been passed. Estimates suggest any changes should come only in late 2026 or 2027. Meanwhile, the practical ban remains in effect.
How it works in Brazil: clear and permissive regulation
Brazil took a very different path. Under CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023, e-scooters with speeds up to 32 km/h (20 mph) and maximum power of 1,000 watts are classified as "low-speed mobility equipment" and can circulate freely without registration, license plate, or driver's license.
Devices exceeding this range (mopeds with up to 50 km/h and 4 kW of power) require registration, plates, licensing, and Category A or ACC driver's license — but that's a different category.
Beyond federal regulations, each state and municipality can add its own rules. In Paraná, CETRAN-PR Resolution No. 106/2026 established a minimum age of 16 years (with parental consent between ages 16 and 18). In Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 set speed limits by location: 20 km/h (12.4 mph) on bike lanes and protected cycle paths, 6 km/h (3.7 mph) on sidewalks, plazas, and parks.
Maximum speeds allowed in Maringá
If you live in the area or plan to ride here, know the limits set by Municipal Law 11.981/2025:
- Bike lanes and protected cycle paths: up to 20 km/h (12.4 mph)
- Sidewalks, plazas, and parks: up to 6 km/h (3.7 mph)
- Shared transit streets: 10 km/h (6.2 mph)
All riders must wear safety helmets, use lights, and carry a bell or horn. These rules exist to protect both riders and pedestrians, creating a safer environment for micro-mobility in Maringá.