If you ride an e-scooter in Maringá, you're in luck. Brazil just established one of the clearest and most user-friendly e-scooter regulations in all of Latin America—while several countries are still debating whether private e-scooters should even exist. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 came into full effect on January 1, 2026, and recognizes electric scooters as legitimate mobility equipment with no registration, license plates, or driver's license requirements. But this isn't true anywhere else in the world. While Brazil provides legal certainty to urban riders, many nations still maintain strict restrictions—or allow only government-controlled rental programs. This guide shows where you can (and can't) legally ride an e-scooter, and why Brazilian law is ahead of the curve.
United Kingdom: Private E-Scooters Still Banned on Public Roads
In the United Kingdom, the reality is very different from ours. If you want to use a private e-scooter on a street, bike lane, or any public space, the answer is no—it's still illegal. The equipment can only be used on private land with the property owner's permission. The only legal way to ride an e-scooter in public space is to participate in one of the government-approved rental programs, operating since 2020 under supervision by the Department for Transport (DfT).
These pilot programs have been extended until May 31, 2028. In authorized schemes, users can ride on streets and bike lanes but not on sidewalks. A national review is scheduled for 2026, and analysts estimate that private e-scooter legalization—if it happens—could come between 2028 and 2029. The country has signaled movement: in February 2026, the Transport Minister indicated plans to legalize the equipment with new technical rules, and lawmakers introduced the "E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill" to review legislation and expand public awareness.
Brazil: Private E-Scooters Are Legal and Regulated Since 2026
Here in Brazil, we have certainty. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 (issued June 15, 2023) recognizes electric scooters, electric unicycles, and e-skateboards as low-speed mobility equipment—with up to 1,000W of power and a maximum speed of 32 km/h (about 20 mph). This equipment requires no registration, license plate, mandatory insurance, or driver's license.
What does the law require? Mandatory technical features: speedometer, bell, and nighttime lighting (front, rear, and side). A helmet is also mandatory. The minimum age is 16 years to ride without a guardian. As of January 1, 2026, mopeds (equipment with power between 4 kW and 50 km/h top speed) that don't follow these rules can be cited and impounded—but your standard e-scooter stays safe under this regulation.
In Maringá, Rules Are Even More Detailed
The city where Patinep Store was founded has specific local ordinances. Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025 details where and how to safely ride an e-scooter with legal protection. On bike paths and bike lanes, the limit is 20 km/h (about 12 mph). On sidewalks, plazas, and parks, it drops to 6 km/h (about 4 mph). Shared traffic roads are permitted only on streets with a speed limit of up to 40 km/h (25 mph). High-speed roads and streets with elevated speed limits are prohibited.
These local limits protect pedestrians and maintain healthy urban coexistence. That's why every Foston, Bee Green, Panda, and Goo Electric scooter you buy from Patinep Store comes with a visible speedometer—you know exactly how fast you're going and can respect the limits without guessing.
Why Brazil Leads in E-Scooter Regulation
Most European countries are 2 to 3 years behind Brazil in e-scooter legislation. Meanwhile, we already have solid legal certainty as of January 2026. The reason? Brazil recognized early on that micro-mobility is part of urban transportation's future and regulated it proactively instead of reactively banning it.