Will electric scooters be included in the Traffic Code? Understanding Bill 5.593/2019

Yes, Bill 5.593/2019 is currently under consideration in the Senate and may include national rules for electric scooters in the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB). On May 26, 2026, the text was analyzed by the Committee on Regional Development and Tourism (CDR), with Senator Efraim Filho (PL-PB) as rapporteur.

If approved, scooter riders will have rights and duties similar to those of cyclists. This includes specific speed limits, mandatory equipment, and traffic rules in areas shared with pedestrians and vehicles.

Important: it is not yet law. The bill goes to the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) before reaching the plenary. But it already gives a clear direction on how Brazil intends to regulate electric micromobility.

What speed limits are proposed in the bill?

The text sets limits very similar to those already in place in Maringá under Municipal Law 11.981/2025. Check the numbers:

  • Sidewalks, squares, and parks: up to 6 km/h (same local limit).
  • Bike lanes and cycle paths: up to 20 km/h (also the same as in Maringá).
  • Roads with a maximum speed limit of 40 km/h: allowed to ride on the edge of the lane. The original proposal set 30 km/h, but the rapporteur suggested 40 km/h as it is a "more common" speed in cities.

It will be forbidden to ride on fast roads, carry a passenger, or ride aggressively. In practice, those who already use scooters in Maringá won't see drastic changes — the city already adopts similar limits.

What will be mandatory on electric scooters if the bill becomes law?

The bill requires minimum safety equipment to ride legally. They are:

  • Bell
  • Front, rear, and side signal lights
  • Speed indicator

Additionally, the bill keeps the mandatory use of a helmet and prohibits dangerous maneuvers. Car drivers will also have to respect a minimum distance of 1.5 meters when passing a scooter — the same rule already applied to bicycles.

These items are already a reality in the scooters sold by Patinep Store, such as the Foston and Bee Green models, which come with a bell, lights, and speedometer from the factory.

Do you need a driver's license or license plate? What doesn't change with the bill

While the bill is not approved, National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) Resolution 996/2023 remains in effect. Under it, electric scooters up to 32 km/h and 1,000 W are classified as low-speed mobility devices.

Practical consequences:

  • No driver's license required for electric scooters.
  • No license plate required for self-propelled vehicles within technical limits (width and wheelbase).
  • Minimum age: 16 years old without accompaniment.

In other words, even if the bill advances, the tendency is to keep the exemption from a license and registration for standard scooters. The bill focuses more on traffic and safety rules than on bureaucracy.

What to expect from the process and how it affects Maringá?

After the CDR, the bill goes to the CCJ. If approved, it goes to the plenary, and if passed, it goes for sanction. There is no official voting forecast yet.

For those who ride scooters in Maringá, the recommendation is simple: continue to follow Municipal Law 11.981/2025, which is more restrictive in some points (such as sidewalk speed) and has been in effect since last year.

In practice, the city already experiences what the bill intends to nationalize. This places Maringá ahead of regulation — and local users, safer.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Electric Scooter Bill

Will electric scooters require a driver's license if the bill is approved?

No. The bill maintains the exemption from a driver's license for scooters up to 32 km/h and 1,000 W, according to CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023. The change focuses on traffic and safety rules.

Can I ride an electric scooter on the street with cars?

Yes, only on roads with a maximum speed limit of 40 km/h, riding on the edge of the lane. High-speed roads remain prohibited.

What is the difference between Bill 5.593/2019 and the Maringá law?

The bill applies nationally and changes the CTB. Municipal Law 11.981/2025 already regulates Maringá, with limits of 20 km/h on bike lanes and 6 km/h on sidewalks, which the bill replicates.