Since January 1, 2026, the new rules under CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023 have been in effect throughout Brazil. If you own an electric moped, a scooter with a throttle, or a more powerful electric kick scooter, you need to understand the distinction: there is now a clear line between mobility equipment and motor vehicles. In this guide, we explain everything directly, including registration, license plate and driver’s license requirements, as well as what changed for people who use these vehicles in Maringá.
Many people confuse electric kick scooters with mopeds. The rule is simple: if the vehicle has 2 or 3 wheels, an electric motor above 1,000 W, and reaches more than 32 km/h (or exceeds 4 kW of power and 50 km/h), it is classified as a moped and requires documentation. To help you get ahead, Patinep Store has prepared this guide with everything you need to know.
What defines an electric moped under Resolution 996/2023?
The new CONTRAN resolution (published on June 15, 2023) redefined the categories. A moped is a 2- or 3-wheeled vehicle with an electric motor of up to 4 kW and a factory-set maximum speed of up to 50 km/h. Scooters or kick scooters with throttles that exceed the 1,000 W or 32 km/h limits for self-propelled equipment are also covered by the rule.
In other words, a vehicle with a throttle, higher power, or a factory-set speed above 32 km/h automatically falls into the moped category. This applies to models that were previously treated as kick scooters but came equipped with a more powerful motor.
Who needs registration, a license plate and a driver’s license—and who is exempt?
Must be registered and regularized (mopeds): · Category A driver’s license or an Authorization to Drive a Moped (ACC) · Mandatory helmet · Registration and licensing with the DETRAN (the state traffic department) · License plate · RENAVAM (pre-registration in Brazil’s National Motor Vehicle Registry) · Certificate of Compliance with Traffic Legislation (CAT) · Invoice · For vehicles manufactured before the resolution: Vehicle Safety Certificate (CSV) with VIN
Do not require these items (self-propelled equipment and electric bicycles): · Standing electric kick scooter (self-propelled equipment): up to 1,000 W and 32 km/h—no registration, license plate or driver’s license required (Article 134-A of the Brazilian Traffic Code and Article 12 of the Resolution) · Electric bicycle with pedal assist, no hand throttle, up to 1,000 W and 32 km/h—also exempt from registration
Step-by-step: how to register your moped
If you have discovered that your vehicle is a moped, start with your state’s DETRAN. In Paraná, the process follows the same national standard.
- Gather your documents: Category A driver’s license or ACC, invoice, and identification document.
- Complete the RENAVAM pre-registration: this is the first step toward generating the registration number.
- Obtain the CAT (Certificate of Compliance with Traffic Legislation): issued by accredited companies, it proves that the vehicle meets the applicable standards.
- Schedule a DETRAN inspection: after the inspection, you can obtain the vehicle license and license plate.
DETRAN-SP has already published an explanatory guide. For Maringá, we recommend contacting DETRAN-PR for the deadlines and fees that apply to your situation.
What about electric kick scooters? Did anything change in 2026?
For the vast majority of electric kick scooters sold in Brazil, nothing changed. Models from Foston, Bee Green, Panda, and Goo Elétricos (brands we carry here at Patinep Store) remain in the self-propelled equipment category as long as they have up to 1,000 W of power and a factory-set maximum speed of up to 32 km/h.
In these cases, no registration, license plate, or driver’s license is required. However, remember Maringá’s local rules (Municipal Law 11.981/2025): · Maximum 20 km/h on bike paths and bike lanes · Maximum 6 km/h on sidewalks, squares, and parks · Helmet mandatory · Required equipment: speed indicator, bell, and nighttime lighting/signaling · Riding on the road is prohibited