What is considered an electric moped by CONTRAN?

A vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels, electric motor up to 4 kW, and factory max speed up to 50 km/h. Kick scooters or scooters with a throttle that can go over 32 km/h or have above 1000W also qualify as mopeds.

Do I need to register my electric scooter with RENAVAM in 2026?

It depends on speed and power. If your device exceeds 32 km/h with a throttle (not just pedal assist) or has power above 1000W, yes. Smaller kick scooters up to 32 km/h remain personal mobility equipment and don't require plates.

What fines can I get for riding without registration in 2026?

Fines for riding without a plate (Art. 230 IV), without registration/licensing (Art. 230 V), and for not wearing a helmet (Art. 244). In all cases, the vehicle may also be towed by authorities.

How do I get my moped licensed?

Registration is done at your state's Detran (DMV). You need the CAT (or CSV if no CAT), purchase invoice, buyer's ID, and CPF/CNPJ. After paying fees, you receive an annual CRLV. Our team in Maringá can guide you step by step.

Can I ride on bike lanes in Maringá with my moped?

Yes, but within rules: on bike lanes and cycle paths the max speed is 20 km/h, and on sidewalks/squares/parks it's 6 km/h. Always wear a helmet. Remember that high-speed roads are prohibited.

Electric Moped RENAVAM 2026 in Brazil: Plate, Licensing & Safety Rules

If you own a scooter or electric moped with higher speeds, here's what you need to know: as of January 1, 2026, CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 is fully in effect nationwide in Brazil. What changed? Electric mopeds — vehicles with motors up to 4 kW and factory top speed up to 50 km/h — are now required to register with RENAVAM, display their own license plate, and obtain annual licensing from your state's DMV (Detran). If you didn't do this by December 31, 2025, you are not allowed to ride on public roads. This is serious and causes a lot of confusion. We'll explain everything clearly, without beating around the bush.

What does CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 define as an electric moped?

Not every electric vehicle becomes a moped. The rule distinguishes by power and speed. A moped is: a 2- or 3-wheeled vehicle with an electric motor up to 4 kW and a maximum factory speed of up to 50 km/h.

This means that a kick scooter or scooter with a throttle that exceeds 1,000W or reaches more than 32 km/h is classified as a moped. In other words, that faster scooter you bought is no longer a toy — it's a vehicle that requires plates and registration.

Why is RENAVAM registration now mandatory in 2026?

Previously, simple kick scooters and scooters were considered personal mobility devices. But mopeds have always been motorized vehicles. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 organized this classification and made compliance mandatory across the country.

It came into full effect in January 2026. If you didn't regularize your vehicle without a CAT (Certificate of Conformity to Traffic Legislation) by 12/31/2025, you are already prohibited from riding. From now on, enforcement is active and fines are being issued. In Maringá, the state DMV handles registration and licensing — this process applies across Brazil.

What documents do I need to get the RENAVAM for my moped?

To regularize the vehicle, if it already has a CAT (obtained at the time of purchase from the factory), you need:

Certificate of Conformity to Traffic Legislation (CAT);
Brand/model/version code;
Purchase invoice;
Owner's document and CPF/CNPJ (tax ID).

If the moped is imported or manufactured before the law came into effect and lacks a CAT, you need a Vehicle Safety Certificate (CSV) with the VIN, an inspection report with the engine number, and the original invoice or a Declaration of Provenance.

What are the fines and penalties in 2026?

Enforcement has already begun. Infractions are based on the Brazilian Traffic Code:

Driving without a plate (Art. 230 IV);
Driving without registration or licensing (Art. 230 V);
Without a helmet (Art. 244).

Yes, wearing a helmet remains mandatory — this is required by Municipal Law 11.981/2025 in Maringá (and also applies in São Paulo) and applies to mopeds as well. If you ride without documentation, in addition to fines, the vehicle may be seized by traffic agents. Avoid that headache.

Rules for riding a moped in Maringá

Besides registering with RENAVAM, you must also follow local traffic rules. According to Municipal Law No. 11,981/2025, in Maringá:

On bike lanes and cycle paths: maximum speed is 20 km/h.
Sidewalks, squares, and parks: limit is 6 km/h.
You can only ride on shared roads with a speed limit up to 40 km/h.

These limits apply to mopeds too — they don't have free rein to go anywhere. So, besides registering, plan your routes to use only roads compatible with that speed and always wear a helmet.

What if I have a kick scooter or electric scooter? Do I need to register it?

The rule is logical: if your device has a throttle and can exceed 32 km/h or has more than 1000W of power, it's a moped and must be registered. Smaller models up to 32 km/h remain classified as personal mobility devices and don't require plates.