If you have an electric scooter or are thinking about buying one in Maringá, you need to know the rules that come into effect in 2026. CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023 was fully applied on January 1, 2026, after the adaptation period for manufacturers and owners. In practice, this changes how scooters are classified and circulate on the streets.
In this guide, you'll understand what is considered self-propelled, what is an electric moped, and how to comply correctly. We'll also explain the speed limits in Maringá (Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025) and what enforcement may require from you. No fluff, straight to the point.
What changed with the full application of CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023
The regulation differentiates three categories: self-propelled individual mobility devices (like scooters), electric bicycles, and electric mopeds. Each has its own rules for circulation, registration, and documentation.
Scooters classified as self-propelled follow rules similar to bicycles: they don't require registration, licensing, or license plates. What defines the category is not having a motor, but the vehicle's technical characteristics—especially power, factory maximum speed, and activation method.
Self-propelled scooter: no plate, but with circulation rules
If your scooter is classified as a self-propelled individual mobility device, there's no bureaucracy for registration and licensing. However, you must respect local traffic rules and the provisions of the Brazilian Traffic Code.
In Maringá, Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025 sets clear limits: 20 km/h on bike lanes and cycle paths, 6 km/h on sidewalks, squares, and parks, and circulation allowed only on roads with a speed limit of up to 40 km/h. A helmet is mandatory, as well as a speed indicator, bell, and nighttime signaling. Fast roads are prohibited.
Electric moped: another category, another bureaucracy
An electric moped is defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a maximum power of up to 4 kW and a factory maximum speed of up to 50 km/h. For this category, Resolution 996/2023 requires registration, licensing, license plate, compatible documentation, and a qualified driver (ACC or category A driver's license).
Attention: mopeds cannot circulate on bike lanes or cycle paths. If your vehicle fits this definition, you need to regularize everything before using it on public roads.
How to know if your scooter is self-propelled or a moped?
Classification depends on the vehicle's technical characteristics. The resolution is clear: electric bicycles and self-propelled devices cannot be automatically treated as mopeds just because they have an electric motor. You need to check power, factory maximum speed, and activation.
When purchasing, check the technical sheet and the legal category of the equipment. If the scooter has a maximum speed limited to 32 km/h, it qualifies as self-propelled, according to CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023. Above that up to 50 km/h, it's already a moped and requires a driver's license, plate, and registration.
What federal legislation says about scooters circulating in Maringá
The federal regulation requires a maximum speed of 32 km/h for electric scooters (technical limitation of the equipment). A driver's license is not required to ride electric scooters in this category, and the minimum age is 16 years old.
In Maringá, more restrictive local rules apply: 20 km/h on bike lanes and 6 km/h on sidewalks. The traffic authority may set different limits based on technical studies, but in practice, respecting municipal limits is mandatory to ride without problems.
What you need to do before buying an electric scooter in 2026
Before buying, check the equipment's technical sheet: maximum speed, power, and legal classification. If the seller doesn't provide this information, be suspicious. At Patinep Store, in Maringá, we work with scooters that meet the new regulations.