What Has Been in Effect for Electric Mopeds Since January 1, 2026

If you own or are considering buying an electric moped in Maringá, you need to know: the new rules from CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 have officially taken effect. As of 01/01/2026, every electric moped requires a category A driver's license (motorcycle license) or an ACC (Moped Authorization), vehicle registration and licensing with Detran, plus mandatory equipment. Enforcement is already active.

It doesn't matter if the vehicle is new or you already owned it before: full compliance is required. In this guide, we explain what changed, how to tell if your vehicle falls under these rules, and how to get legal without the headache.

What the Law Defines as an Electric Moped

Under CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023, a moped is a 2- or 3-wheel vehicle with an electric motor up to 4 kW and a factory maximum speed of up to 50 km/h. But beware: vehicles that exceed the self-propelled limits (above 1,000 W or above 32 km/h from the factory) are also classified as mopeds. In other words, if your electric scooter exceeds 32 km/h in its original configuration, it falls under these rules.

This means that many “powerful” scooters sold today are technically mopeds. If in doubt, check the vehicle's characteristics plate or the manual. In Maringá, Patinep Store can help identify your model's classification.

Mandatory Requirements: License Plate, Driver's License, Helmet, and Equipment

Since January 1, 2026, to circulate legally, an electric moped must have:

  • Registration and licensing with Detran, including the CAT (Certificate of Conformity with Traffic Legislation) and the brand/model code.
  • Category A driver's license (CNH A) or ACC – the ACC is specifically for mopeds, but CNH A also covers them.
  • Mandatory helmet – no exceptions.
  • CTB-required equipment: headlight, rear lights, rearview mirrors, and speedometer.

Enforcement is already taking place across Brazil. If you're stopped without these items, you may face a fine and have your vehicle impounded. In Maringá, Patinep Store recommends regularizing as soon as possible.

Who Needs CNH A or ACC? And What's the Minimum Age?

A category A license (motorcycle) or the ACC (Moped Authorization) is mandatory for all electric moped riders. The old “no license needed” situation no longer exists. The ACC is simpler and cheaper than a full CNH A, but it's only valid for mopeds.

The minimum age to ride a moped is 16, with no need for an accompanying adult. However, to get the ACC or CNH A, the process is the same as for a full license – medical exam, theory test, and practical test. Detran-PR (Paraná State Traffic Department) is already issuing the ACC normally.

What About Electric Scooters? When Do They Become Mopeds?

Electric scooters that don't exceed 32 km/h and have a motor of up to 1,000 W remain self-propelled devices, with no requirement for a license plate or driver's license – but they still follow Maringá's Municipal Law 11.981/2025: maximum speed of 20 km/h on bike lanes, 6 km/h on sidewalks, and mandatory helmet use.

Once the vehicle exceeds these limits (from the factory), it's classified as a moped. That means many “off-road” or “high-speed” scooters are in practice mopeds and need all the documentation. Before buying, check with the store. At Patinep Store, all the models we sell in-store are self-propelled and don't fall under moped rules, but if you already own a more powerful one, you need to regularize it.

How to Get Your Moped Legal in Maringá

The process starts with Detran-PR. You'll need the vehicle's CAT, which is issued by the manufacturer or importer. Then you register it, pay the licensing fee, and obtain the CRLV (vehicle registration document). You get the CNH A or ACC at a driving school (CFC).

Patinep Store can guide you on the paperwork and point you in the right direction, but we don't handle registration itself.