Of course, it wasn’t too long before it became difficult to decide…

MOTOR VEHICLEOR

NOT?A few examples of the registration and titling

challenges faced in TEXAS

What Are They?What Are They?

• Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

• Motor-assisted Scooters

• Pocket Bikes

• Travel/Cargo Trailers

Neighborhood Electric VehiclesNeighborhood Electric Vehicles

A vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 A vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. C.F.R. §§571.500)571.500)

Maximum speed attainable in 1 mile by each low-speed vehicle not more than 25 MPH

Equipped with:(1) head lamps(2) front & rear turn signal lamps(3) tail lamps(4) stop lamps(5) reflex reflectors(6) exterior mirror (7) parking brake(8) windshield

(9) Conforming VIN

2002 Ford Th!nkNeighborhood Vehicle

Motor-assisted ScootersMotor-assisted Scooters

• At least 2 wheels in contact with the ground

• Braking System• Gas or Electric Motor <

40 CC• Deck to stand/sit during

operation• Ability to be propelled by

human power alone

MinimotorcyMinimotorcyclescles

Minnie Hawg

Pocket RocketsPocket Rockets

(1) can commence and continue movement without pedaling or pushing off: and

(2) has as it primary purpose the transport of a person or persons, or property, on public streets, roads, or highways, by either:

(A) being certified as a moped by the Texas Department of Public Safety;(B) meeting the certification criteria of the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration for a motor vehicle: or(C) meeting three or more of the following criteria:

(i) has an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement of at least 30 cc or an electrical power system with at least 2 brake horsepower or 250 watt power;

(ii) has not more than three wheels at least 12” in diameter;(iii) can attain speeds of 20 mph or more;(iv) has a gross weight of 40 lbs. or more;(v) can travel a minimum distance of 30 miles or for a minimum

period of 2 hours.

Texas Motor Vehicle Division

Definition

NOT a motor vehicle

10” wheels

speeds up to 12 mph

gross wt. 50 lbs.

up to 45 minutes of continuous use

no turn signals, rear-view mirror (NHTSA cert)

180 watts26” wheelsspeeds up to 15 mphweighs 40 lbs.14 miles min. distance

NOT a motor vehicle

Motor Vehicle

43cc two-stroke engine

speeds up to 20 mph

weighs 108 lbs.

30 mile min. distance

headlight, turn signals, mirrors (NHTSA cert.)

NOT a Motor Vehicle Motor will not engage until rider has “pushed off” to 3 mph

not motorized

43cc two-stroke engine 12” wheels

speeds up to 20mph

gross wt. 103 lbs.

30 mile min. distance

headlight, turn signals, mirrors (NHTSA cert.)

Motor Vehicle

Motor Vehicle

43cc two-stroke engine

speeds up to 25 mph

weigh 108 lbs.

headlights, turn signals (NHTSA cert.)

Motor Vehicle

49cc four-stroke engine

speeds up to 25 mph

gross wt. 62 lbs.

Pocket bike or minimotorbike” means a self-propelled vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor or internal combustion engine having a piston displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters, is designed to propel itself with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, is not designed for use on a highway, and is ineligible for a certificate of title under Chapter 501. The term does not include:

(A) a moped or motorcycle;(B) an electric bicycle or motor-driven cycle, as defined by Section 541.201;(C) a motorized mobility device, as defined by Section 542.009;(D) an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined by

Section 551.201; or(E) a neighborhood electric vehicle.

Pocket Bike Legislation 79th Legislature

Scooter LegislationScooter Legislation

Sec. 551.304. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO POCKET BIKE OR MINIMOTORBIKE. This subchapter may not be construed to authorize the operation of a pocket bike or minimotorbike on any:

(1) highway, road, or street;(2) path set aside for the exclusive operation ofbicycles; or(3) sidewalk.

Texas Cities RespondTexas Cities Respond

DallasDallas Police Department began monitoring accident statistics in 2004, and continues to do so.

At least 19 reported accidents since early 2004.

Source: DPD, April 2005

Texas Cities RespondTexas Cities Respond

LaPorteCity restricted the use of “motorized scooters” to daylight hours, and to streets with posted speed limits under 30 mph.

After 2 boys lost control of a scooter and were struck and injured by a motor vehicle.

Source: USA Today, 3/14/05

Texas Cities RespondTexas Cities Respond

Laredo

City ordinance preventing pocket bikes from operating in public.

Ordinance aimed at public awareness, after a fatality in 2005.

Source: Pharr VTR

Hybrid Travel Hybrid Travel TrailersTrailers

Hybrid Travel TrailersHybrid Travel Trailers

AAMVA INQUIRY RESULTSAAMVA INQUIRY RESULTS• AZ – TRAILER• ID – DEPENDENT ON USE• LA – TRAILER• MD – TRAILER• MO – TITLE/REG. SAME; BODY STYLE TT• NE – DEPENDENT ON USE• NM – TRAVEL TRAILER• VA – TRAVEL TRAILER• WA - TRAILER

Law Enforcement IssuesLaw Enforcement Issues

Some lawn mowers have more power, and more safety features

•No standard safety features (i.e., rearview mirrors, decent brake system)

•Cannot pass state safety inspection

•Inexperienced operators (kids); no DL required

•Visibility issues

Pocket Bikes – A Safety Concern

Could you see the Pocket Bike rider?

Another Driver View

Driver View

Truck or Motor Home?Truck or Motor Home?

Unconventional VehiclesUnconventional Vehicles

State Requirements Generally, states require that:

• Motor vehicles meet federal and state equipment standards

• Motor vehicles be registered and titled• Motor Vehicle operators be licensed

Most unconventional vehicles do not meet equipment standards and can not be licensed or operated on public streets

Where do we go from Where do we go from here?here?

Consistency between jurisdictions and local governments on questions of operation, registration, and drivers license

Recognition of safety hazard posed by unconventional vehicles

What AAMVA is DoingWhat AAMVA is Doing

• A subcommittee formed as part of the VRT

• Chaired by Betty Johnson of Nebraska

• First meeting via conference call August 3

QuestionsQuestions