Is it illegal to unlock the 32 km/h speed limiter?

Yes. By doing so, the e-scooter is no longer self-propelled and is reclassified as a moped, requiring a driver's license, plate, and annual registration. In practice, you become illegal on the street, subject to a fine of R$ 293.47 (approx. USD 59), 7 points, and vehicle impoundment.

What happens if I ride an e-scooter above 32 km/h in Maringá?

You would be in violation of CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 and Municipal Law 11.981/2025. Besides lacking mandatory equipment (helmet, bell, speed indicator), you could receive an extremely serious violation on sidewalks (R$ 880.41 / approx. USD 176) and be stopped. The best option is to keep the speed limited.

Is there an e-scooter that comes with a legal speed limit without needing to unlock it?

Yes, the brands we sell at Patinep Store – Foston, Bee Green, Panda, and Goo Elétricos – are sold in CONTRAN compliance, including a 'bike lane' mode (20 km/h) and a factory speed limiter. That way you avoid any irregularity and still get our own technical assistance.

How much is the fine for a modified e-scooter?

The fine for a moped without a plate or licensing is R$ 293.47 (approx. USD 59) plus 7 points on your license. Additionally, circulation violations (e.g., riding at 6 km/h on the sidewalk) can carry extremely serious penalties up to R$ 880.41 (approx. USD 176). The vehicle may also be impounded.

Unlock 32 km/h Speed Limiter: E-Scooter Becomes Moped (2026 Guide)

Have you heard of people “unlocking” their e-scooter to go faster than the factory 32 km/h? It’s common, but in 2026 it has become a real danger: enforcement has changed, and what used to be a simple e-scooter can be reclassified as a moped — requiring a plate, a driver’s license, and registration. In this guide, we explain what the Maringá Municipal Law and CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 say, and how to keep using your e-scooter within the rules.

What changes when you remove the 32 km/h speed limiter

According to CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 (art. 5, §6), what defines an electric scooter is precisely the technical limit of 32 km/h. If you modify the controller or remove the limiter, the vehicle exceeds that speed.

In practice, it is no longer considered a self-propelled individual mobility device (EMI) and becomes a moped. That means: speed above the allowed limit, and you fall under CONTRAN’s moped rules, which require registration, annual licensing, a plate, and a category A driver’s license (or ACC).

Focused enforcement and seizure: what the Detran will do

From Detran SP to the Maringá City Hall, enforcement is precisely targeting e-scooters with an altered speed limiter. According to Portal do Trânsito, the removal of mopeds has increased after the new rules. In practice, if an inspector detects speed above 32 km/h or notices a modification in the controller, the vehicle can be pulled over.

The fine for irregular circulation is R$ 293.47 (approx. USD 59) plus 7 points on your driver’s license, and the vehicle can be removed to the impound lot. In addition, the new circulation violations (such as riding on the sidewalk at inappropriate speed) carry extremely serious penalties of R$ 880.41 (approx. USD 176).

The hidden risk for daily life in Maringá

Here in Maringá, Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025 requires a maximum speed of 20 km/h on bike lanes and 6 km/h on sidewalks. If you unlock your e-scooter, it becomes even harder to respect these limits without endangering pedestrians and yourself.

A modified or irregular e-scooter does not go unnoticed — and the traffic officer can issue a fine and impound the vehicle on the spot. It’s not worth the risk.

How to ride 100% legally without giving up your e-scooter

You don’t need “workarounds” to get around. The brands we sell at Patinep Store — Foston, Bee Green, Panda, and Goo Elétricos — already come from the factory with a 32 km/h limiter and a “bike lane” mode (20 km/h). This means the vehicle is considered legal and does not require a driver’s license, plate, or registration, per CONTRAN.

In addition, all models are certified to meet Maringá’s Municipal Law, keeping the safe speed for each type of road. Using our own technical assistance for accessories is the guarantee that you won’t break the rules.

Conclusion: use technology, but stay on the right side of the law

The 32 km/h limiter is not a cause for frustration; it’s a protection. It keeps your e-scooter legal, safe, and economical. In Maringá’s traffic, with increasing enforcement, the best choice is to stay compliant.

If you already have an e-scooter and want to keep riding legally, or if you don’t have one yet, at Patinep Store you’ll find all the mentioned brands with our own technical assistance and original parts. Talk to us to choose the right model.