Of course, it wasn’t too long before it became difficult to decide… MOTOR VEHICLE OR NOT? A few examples of the registration and titling challenges faced in T EXAS

What Are They? Neighborhood Electric Vehicles Motor-assisted Scooters Pocket Bikes Travel/Cargo Trailers

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles A vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (49 C.F.R. § ) 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!nk Neighborhood Vehicle

Motor-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

Minimotorcycles Minnie Hawg

Pocket 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 watts 26” wheels speeds up to 15 mph weighs 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

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 ; (C) a motorized mobility device, as defined by Section ; (D) an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined by Section ; or (E) a neighborhood electric vehicle. Pocket Bike Legislation 79 th Legislature

Scooter Legislation Sec 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 of bicycles; or (3) sidewalk.

Texas Cities Respond Dallas Dallas Police Department began monitoring accident statistics in 2004, and continues to do so. At least 19 reported accidents since early Source: DPD, April 2005

Texas Cities Respond LaPorte City 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 Respond Laredo City ordinance preventing pocket bikes from operating in public. Ordinance aimed at public awareness, after a fatality in Source: Pharr VTR

Hybrid Travel Trailers

Hybrid Travel Trailers

AAMVA 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 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?

Unconventional 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 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 Doing A subcommittee formed as part of the VRT Chaired by Betty Johnson of Nebraska First meeting via conference call August 3

Questions