Researcher: HP Page 1 4/8/24
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5204
AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF LOW -SPEED
VEHICLES.
SUMMARY
This bill generally allows the operation of “low-speed vehicles” (LSV)
on highways (i.e., public roads) in the state with speed limits of 25 mph
or less. Under the bill and federal regulations, an LSV is a four-wheeled
motor vehicle that has a (1) speed attainable in one mile of more than 20
mph but not more than 25 mph on a paved, level surface and (2) gross
vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or less.
Under the bill, LSVs are “motor vehicles” under state motor vehicle
laws (i.e., Title 14 of the General Statutes). This means, among other
things, that LSVs must be registered, titled, and insured; their drivers
must hold a valid driver’s license; and businesses selling or repairing
them must hold dealer or repairer licenses, respectively. Currently, the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not register LSVs, and they
may not be driven on public roads. The bill prohibits DMV from issuing
a title for a homemade LSV or a golf cart that has been retrofitted from
the original manufacturer’s specifications in an attempt to qualify as an
LSV.
The bill allows the Office of the State Traffic Administration and local
traffic authorities to prohibit or limit LSV use on roads under their
jurisdictions. It also requires that LSVs meet state motor vehicle
equipment standards except for those that are inapplicable to or
inconsistent with the federal motor vehicle safety standards for LSVs.
Violations of the road restrictions or equipment requirements are
infractions (see BACKGROUND).
Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2024 2024HB-05204-R000324-BA.DOCX
Researcher: HP Page 2 4/8/24
BACKGROUND
Infractions
Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court
judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an
additional fee based on the amount of the fine. There may be other
added charges depending upon the type of infraction. For example,
certain motor vehicle infractions trigger a Special Transportation Fund
surcharge of 50% of the fine. An infraction is not a crime, and violators
can pay the fine by mail without making a court appearance.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for LSVs
Under federal regulations, LSVs must satisfy certain requirements
under specified testing conditions and be equipped with the following:
1. headlights, turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights;
2. reflex reflectors;
3. an exterior mirror on the driver’s side and either an exterior
mirror on the passenger’s side or an interior mirror (in addition
to meeting other specified rear visibility requirements);
4. a parking brake;
5. a windshield meeting federal standards on glazing materials;
6. a vehicle identification number (VIN) meeting federal
requirements;
7. a seatbelt assembly meeting federal requirements; and
8. a pedestrian alert sound (i.e., noise that certain electric and
hybrid vehicles must make at speeds less than 18.6 mph that
pedestrians can hear over background noises) (49 C.F.R. §
571.500).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 35 Nay 0 (03/20/2024)