Guayaquil Motorcycle Registration Compliance at 25% for 2026

Guayaquil's motorcycle fleet faces significant registration challenges, with 75% of units still pending registration for 2026. The Authority of Transit and Mobility (ATM) indicates that the current compliance level for motorcycle registration stands at 25%.

The ATM utilizes a reference motorcycle fleet of 309,065 units, based on figures from the end of 2025. Based on the reported percentage, approximately 231,799 motorcycles would still require registration completion.

Édgar Lupera, the general manager of the ATM, has noted the frequent observation of motorcycles operating on streets without proper registration or license plates. Enforcement efforts include verifying motorcycle documents and driver's licenses during controls. Out of 5,500 vehicles retained in an unspecified period, 5,450 were motorcycles.

The motorcycle fleet in Guayaquil experienced substantial growth, increasing from 273,854 units in 2024 to 309,065 units in 2025. This represents an increase of 35,211 motorcycles in one year, an approximate growth of 12.9%. The ATM is awaiting the annual closing for 2026 to determine the updated number of motorcycles and the variation from the previous period.

For owners needing to complete the registration process in the final months of 2026, the schedule is as follows: September is designated for plates ending in 8, October for 9, and November for 0. December is reserved for vehicles that are behind schedule.

Driving a vehicle without a license carries penalties under the Código Orgánico Integral Penal (COIP), including a fine equivalent to a unified basic salary and three days of deprivation of liberty. In 2026, with a basic salary of $482, the economic sanction for this infraction is $482.

What to watch

Monitoring the ATM's enforcement actions and the compliance rates in the remaining months of 2026 will be crucial. The significant number of unregistered motorcycles suggests ongoing challenges for urban mobility management and road safety. The final 2026 fleet growth figures will provide further insight into the expansion of motorcycle use in Guayaquil.

Sources: eluniverso.com.