PRINTER'S NO. 1815
No. 1211 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, PUNT, RHOADES, EARLL, KASUNIC,
TOMLINSON, PILEGGI, WAGNER, MUSTO, RAFFERTY, KUKOVICH,
WOZNIAK, WONDERLING, BOSCOLA, LEMMOND, KITCHEN, LOGAN, DENT,
STACK, FERLO, ERICKSON AND CORMAN, AUGUST 11, 2004
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, AUGUST 11, 2004
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for definitions; and providing
3 for regulation and operation of neighborhood electric
4 vehicles.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. The definition of "motor vehicle" in section 102
8 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended
9 and the section is amended by adding a definition to read:
10 § 102. Definitions.
11 Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
12 provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
13 provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
14 used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly
15 indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
16 * * *
17 "Motor vehicle." A vehicle which is self-propelled except an
18 electric personal assistive mobility device, a neighborhood
1 electric vehicle or a vehicle which is propelled solely by human
2 power or by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires,
3 but not operated upon rails.
4 * * *
5 "Neighborhood electric vehicle." A four-wheeled electric
6 vehicle that has a maximum design speed of not less than 20
7 miles per hour and of not more than 25 miles per hour and that
8 complies with the Federal safety standards established in 49 CFR
9 571.500 (relating to standard no. 500; low-speed vehicles).
10 * * *
11 Section 2. Chapter 35 of Title 75 is amended by adding a
12 subchapter to read:
13 SUBCHAPTER F
14 OPERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES
15 Sec.
16 3591. Scope of subchapter.
17 3592. Required equipment.
18 3593. Operation on certain highways or roadways.
19 3594. Certificate of title and registration required.
20 3595. License and financial responsibility required.
21 3596. Exemption.
22 § 3591. Scope of subchapter.
23 This subchapter applies to the operation of neighborhood
24 electric vehicles on certain highways or roadways in this
25 Commonwealth.
26 § 3592. Required equipment.
27 A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be equipped in
28 accordance with 49 CFR 571.500 (relating to standard no. 500;
29 low-speed vehicles). This equipment shall include headlamps,
30 stop lamps, turn signal lamps, reflex reflectors, a parking
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1 brake, a rearview exterior mirror, a rearview interior mirror, a
2 windshield, a windshield wiper, a speedometer, an odometer,
3 braking for each wheel, seat belts, a vehicle identification
4 number and such other equipment as is required by Federal
5 regulations.
6 § 3593. Operation on certain highways or roadways.
7 A neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on any
8 highway or roadway where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per
9 hour or less. This section does not prohibit a person from
10 operating a neighborhood electric vehicle across an intersection
11 where the highway or roadway has a posted speed limit of more
12 than 35 miles per hour.
13 § 3594. Certificate of title and registration required.
14 A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be properly titled and
15 registered with the department as required by Chapters 11
16 (relating to certificate of title and security interests) and 13
17 (relating to registration of vehicles).
18 § 3595. License and financial responsibility required.
19 An operator of a neighborhood electric vehicle must have a
20 valid driver's license and maintain financial responsibility as
21 required by Chapters 15 (relating to licensing of drivers) and
22 17 (relating to financial responsibility).
23 § 3596. Exemption.
24 A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be exempt from any
25 emissions testing required under this title or other law.
26 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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