What is the minimum age to ride an electric scooter in Maringá?

In Maringá, Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025 does not set a specific age for electric scooters. Therefore, CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 guidance applies, recommending age 16 as the minimum for riding without an accompanying adult.

Do I need a driver's license to ride an electric scooter?

No. Electric scooters traveling up to 32 km/h are considered low-speed mobility equipment and do not require a driver's license. Mopeds over 50 cc are the vehicles that require a Category A or ACC license.

Is a helmet required for electric scooters?

It depends on the city. In Maringá, municipal law makes helmets mandatory, and they are also mandatory in Rio de Janeiro. In most state capitals, including Porto Alegre and Curitiba, helmets are only recommended, so check your local rules.

What is the maximum permitted scooter speed on bike paths in 2026?

In most cities, including São Paulo, Curitiba and Maringá, the limit is 20 km/h on bike paths and cycle lanes. Rio de Janeiro allows up to 25 km/h, but bans bicycles with throttles from these facilities.

How can I find out whether I can ride an electric scooter in my city?

Check your municipality's micromobility regulations. If there is no specific local law, CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 applies, allowing scooters up to 32 km/h without a license and recommending a minimum age of 16.

Minimum Age for Electric Scooters by City: 2026 Rules

The direct answer is: it depends on your city. In 2026, Brazil has no single minimum age for riding an electric scooter. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 provides general guidelines and does not set an age requirement for scooters, but municipalities across the country have created their own rules.

In practice, this has created a “patchwork” of laws: while Salvador and Rio de Janeiro require riders to be 18, other state capitals have no restriction, and many municipalities have set the minimum age at 16 or 18. Before leaving home, check the rules in your city.

What does federal law say about the minimum age?

CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 classifies electric scooters as low-speed mobility equipment. For these vehicles, there is no nationally defined minimum age—and the same applies to electric bicycles.

The requirement for a Category A or ACC driver's license applies only to mopeds and vehicles with engines above 50 cc. Scooters, pedal-assist e-bikes, and other low-speed mobility equipment do not require a license.

Guidance in the resolution establishes 16 as the minimum age for riding without an accompanying adult, but—and this is the key point—each municipality may impose stricter rules.

Minimum age by city: what changed in 2026

A survey by the newspaper O Globo (April 8, 2026) showed that state capitals are divided. Here are the most discussed cases:

Rio de Janeiro: requires riders to be 18 for all light electric vehicles, including scooters.
Salvador: has also set 18 as the mandatory minimum age.
São Paulo and Curitiba: have not set a specific age, but limit speed to 20 km/h on bike paths and shared-use areas.
Fortaleza, Porto Alegre and other state capitals: follow federal guidance and do not set a mandatory minimum age.

Patinep tip: if you live in Maringá or the surrounding area, the applicable municipal rule is Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025, which does not specify an age—but reinforces the 20 km/h limit on bike paths and 6 km/h limit on sidewalks. Keep in mind that CONTRAN guidance recommends age 16.

Is helmet use mandatory in every city?

There is no national rule. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 makes helmets mandatory only for mopeds. For scooters, the requirement varies:

Rio de Janeiro: mandatory for all light electric vehicles.
Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Salvador and Fortaleza: recommended, but not mandatory.
Maringá (Law No. 11.981/2025): makes helmet use mandatory for scooters and similar vehicles.

Even where it is not required by law, a helmet is basic safety equipment. If you want a recommendation when purchasing, Patinep Store always advises: wear a helmet and use nighttime visibility equipment.

Permitted speeds and where to ride: understanding the “patchwork” of rules

Speed limits vary depending on the city and the type of road or path. In 2026, the clearest examples are:

São Paulo and Curitiba: 20 km/h on bike paths and designated areas.
Rio de Janeiro: 25 km/h on bike paths—and it has banned bicycles with throttles from these facilities, directing them to the roadway.
Fortaleza: uses GPS to control the speed of shared scooters.

Maringá follows a policy similar to the federal guidelines: 20 km/h on bike paths, 6 km/h on sidewalks and pedestrian areas, with riding permitted only on roads where the speed limit is 40 km/h or lower. Riding on high-speed roads is prohibited.

What changed for companies and riders in 2026?

The tougher rules have been accompanied by increased enforcement. Some cities have begun requiring scooter-sharing operators to register their services