The rules for electric scooters changed in 2026, and enforcement is now strict across Brazil, including Maringá. CONTRAN Resolution No. 996, dated June 15, 2023, has moved off paper and is being fully enforced since January 1, 2026, with combined checkpoints and no extension. But relax: if you use your scooter within the law, you have nothing to worry about. This guide shows you exactly what to do to never get a fine—and what to avoid so your scooter doesn't become a problem with the traffic police.
What Actually Changed for Scooter Riders in 2026
The electric scooter—an individual self-propelled mobility device—does not require registration, licensing, or a license plate, according to Article 12 of CONTRAN Resolution 996 and Article 134-A of the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB). That hasn't changed and still stands. What changed is that enforcement now checks on the street whether your vehicle truly fits this category. And that's where many people get lost.
Traffic agents are mainly watching two things: the speed limiter and the riding rules. If your scooter exceeds 32 km/h due to tampering, it automatically becomes a moped—and then you need a driver's license, registration, and licensing. If you don't have them, it's a fine, seven points on your license, and the vehicle goes to the Detran impound lot.
The reference fine for driving without registration is a serious infraction, with a value of R$ 293.47 (approx. USD 55) and vehicle retention. Here in Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 also sets its own speed and traffic rules that you need to know.
Legality Checklist: How to Keep Your Scooter Within the Law
For the scooter to be considered an individual mobility device, three technical requirements must be met. Any modification to these items changes the vehicle's category and complicates your life.
- Motor with maximum rated power of up to 1000 W (1,000 watts)
- Maximum manufacturing speed not exceeding 32 km/h—that is, the limiter must remain intact
- Width up to 70 cm and wheelbase up to 130 cm
Additionally, your scooter must have the mandatory equipment: an electronic speed indicator/limiter, a bell, and front, rear, and side night signaling. Without these, you're irregular and subject to fines.
Where You Can Ride a Scooter in Maringá (and Where You Can't)
The riding rules are objective: the maximum speed varies by location, and you can only ride on streets where the traffic limit is up to 40 km/h. In Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 sets these limits, and respecting them is the simplest way to avoid trouble.
- Bike lanes and cycle tracks: maximum speed 20 km/h
- Sidewalks, plazas, and parks: maximum speed 6 km/h (walking speed)
- Shared traffic roads: allowed only on roads with a limit of up to 40 km/h
- Prohibited: riding on expressways or high-speed streets
Pay attention: 6 km/h on a sidewalk is basically walking speed—think of it as giving preference to pedestrians. On bike lanes, you can go a bit faster, but still well below what the scooter allows. Enforcement does not accept the 32 km/h limit anywhere except on specific shared-traffic roads—and even then, respecting the road's speed limit.
Never Do This: Tampering with the Limiter or Giving Rides
The most expensive mistake you can make in 2026 is removing or unlocking your scooter's speed limiter. That automatically reclassifies the vehicle as a moped. The 2026 checkpoints are specifically targeting this type of alteration, and if they catch you, the fine is R$ 293.47 (approx. USD 55), seven points on your license, and the scooter will be seized.