PRINTER'S NO. 1214
No. 924 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, MADIGAN, PUNT, D. WHITE, TOMLINSON,
STOUT, CORMAN, TARTAGLIONE, MUSTO, LEMMOND, WONDERLING,
C. WILLIAMS, STACK, BOSCOLA, EARLL AND O'PAKE,
OCTOBER 13, 2005
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, OCTOBER 13, 2005
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for definitions; providing for
3 regulation and operation of neighborhood electric vehicles;
4 and further providing for operation of vehicle without
5 official certificate of inspection.
6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
7 hereby enacts as follows:
8 Section 1. Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
9 Consolidated Statutes 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 "Neighborhood electric vehicle." A four-wheeled electric
18 vehicle that has a maximum design speed of not less than 20
1 miles per hour and of not more than 25 miles per hour and that
2 is certified by the manufacturer to comply with the Federal
3 motor vehicle safety standards established in 49 CFR 571.500
4 (relating to standard no. 500; low-speed vehicles).
5 * * *
6 Section 2. Chapter 35 of Title 75 is amended by adding a
7 subchapter to read:
8 SUBCHAPTER F
9 OPERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES
10 Sec.
11 3591. Scope of subchapter.
12 3592. Required equipment.
13 3593. Operation on certain highways or roadways.
14 3594. Classification as passenger vehicles.
15 3595. Seating limitation.
16 § 3591. Scope of subchapter.
17 This subchapter applies to the operation of neighborhood
18 electric vehicles on certain highways or roadways in this
19 Commonwealth.
20 § 3592. Required equipment.
21 (a) General rule.--A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be
22 equipped in accordance with 49 CFR 571.500 (relating to standard
23 no. 500; low-speed vehicles). Notwithstanding the provisions of
24 49 CFR 571.500, required properly functioning equipment shall
25 include headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, reflex
26 reflectors, a parking brake, a rearview exterior mirror, a
27 rearview interior mirror, a windshield, a windshield wiper, a
28 speedometer, an odometer, braking for each wheel, seat belts, a
29 vehicle identification number and such other equipment as is
30 required by Federal regulations.
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1 (b) Exemption.--A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be
2 exempt from equipment requirements not enumerated in this
3 subchapter.
4 § 3593. Operation on certain highways or roadways.
5 (a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
6 Chapter 33 (relating to rules of the road in general) to the
7 contrary, a neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated only
8 on a highway or roadway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour
9 or less.
10 (b) Construction.--This section shall not be construed to
11 prohibit a person from operating a neighborhood electric vehicle
12 across an intersection where the highway or roadway has a posted
13 speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
14 § 3594. Classification as passenger vehicles.
15 A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be considered a
16 passenger car for the purposes of Part II (relating to title,
17 registration and licensing) and section 4581 (relating to
18 restraint systems).
19 § 3595. Seating limitation.
20 A neighborhood electric vehicle may not be operated at a time
21 in which the number of passengers exceeds the number of
22 available safety belts in the vehicle.
23 Section 3. Section 4703(b) of Title 75 is amended by adding
24 a paragraph to read:
25 § 4703. Operation of vehicle without official certificate of
26 inspection.
27 * * *
28 (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) does not apply to:
29 * * *
30 (14) A neighborhood electric vehicle.
20050S0924B1214 - 3 -
1 Section 4. This act shall take effect in 180 days.
I7L75DMS/20050S0924B1214 - 4 -