In 2026, electric mopeds require registration, licensing, license plates, and either an ACC (Authorization to Drive a Moped) or a Category A driver's license. This requirement has been actively enforced since January 1st, following the classification under CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023.

The key point is not to confuse a moped with an electric scooter or other self-propelled vehicle. The classification depends on the equipment's original characteristics, such as nominal power, maximum factory speed, and vehicle configuration.

For those in Maringá, this difference also affects the traffic rules set out in Municipal Law No. 11,981/2025. Scooters and equipment classified as self-propelled do not need a license plate or driver's license, but they must respect local limits, use a helmet, and have the required safety equipment.

Below, see how to identify each category, when registration is mandatory, and which documents to check before buying or riding.

Do electric mopeds need registration in 2026?

Yes. Electric mopeds require registration, licensing, a license plate, a helmet, and either an ACC or a Category A driver's license in 2026.

According to CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023, an electric moped can have a motor with up to 4 kW of power and a maximum factory speed of up to 50 km/h. When a vehicle falls into this category, the owner must meet the requirements applicable to motor vehicles.

Effective enforcement of this classification began on January 1, 2026. So, checking the correct classification is no longer just a precaution when buying—it's an essential step to ride within the rules.

What's the difference between a moped and an electric scooter?

An electric scooter and a moped are not the same category: the former can be self-propelled, while the latter requires registration, a license plate, and a driver's license.

A self-propelled device, like an electric scooter, must have a maximum nominal power of 1 kW, a maximum factory speed of 32 km/h, a width of up to 70 cm, and a wheelbase of up to 1.30 m. In this category, registration, licensing, license plates, or a driver's license are not required.

A moped, on the other hand, can reach technical limits of up to 4 kW and up to 50 km/h maximum factory speed. The difference should not be determined by the commercial name "scooter," but by the original specifications and the vehicle's legal classification.

When doesn't an electric bicycle need a license plate?

An electric bicycle must operate with pedal assist, no throttle, a motor up to 1 kW, and propulsion limited to 32 km/h.

This operation is different from a vehicle that moves exclusively by throttle. Therefore, the technical specifications and the activation method are important pieces of information to verify whether the equipment truly fits the electric bicycle category.

Modifications that increase power or speed can change the original classification. Installing components or making adaptations without considering the legal consequences can turn a self-propelled device into another type of vehicle subject to different requirements.

What documents and equipment are required?

For an electric moped, the core requirements are registration, licensing, a license plate, a helmet, and an ACC or Category A driver's license.

  • Electric moped: registration, licensing, license plate, helmet, and ACC or Category A driver's license.
  • Self-propelled device: does not require registration, licensing, license plate, or driver's license, but must follow traffic rules and required safety equipment.
  • Electric bicycle: must meet the definition of pedal assist, without a throttle, within the specified technical limits.

For self-propelled devices, regulations also require a speed indicator, a bell, and other safety items.