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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 140
BY REPRESENTATIVE LITTLE
MOTOR VEHICLES: Removes certain restrictions on the use of mini-trucks on state roads
and highways
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:297.1 and R.S. 47:462(A)(introductory paragraph) and (1)2
and (B)(3)(a)(introductory paragraph) and to enact R.S. 47:462(D), relative to mini-3
trucks; to remove restrictions on the use of mini-trucks on state roads and highways;4
to require the office of motor vehicles to register mini-trucks; to provide for the5
definition of mini-truck; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 32:297.1 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:8
§297.1. Low rider vehicles Mini-trucks; registration9
A. It shall be lawful to operate mini-vehicles mini-trucks powered by a10
motor with a displacement of six hundred sixty cubic centimeters or more on the11
streets and highways, except interstate highways, in this state, if such vehicle meets12
all applicable federal and state safety and emissions standards, if such vehicle meets13
all state safety standards. Furthermore, all mini-vehicles operating on the streets and14
highways in this state shall bear a valid safety inspection certificate issued by the15
state of Louisiana.16
B.(1) Any mini-truck operated upon any divided highway, highway,17
roadway, or street in this state shall be registered with the state of Louisiana, office18
of motor vehicles, in the same manner as motor vehicles intended for personal use.19
A mini-truck shall be issued a license plate, and the owner shall be required to pay20 HLS 10RS-700 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 140
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a registration license fee to be collected by the office of motor vehicles as provided1
for in R.S. 47:462.2
(2) Any mini-truck operated upon any divided highway, highway, roadway,3
or street in this state shall be required to comply with the provisions of R.S. 32:861,4
862, and 863.1, relative to compulsory motor vehicle liability security.5
(3) No mini-truck shall be operated upon any divided highway, highway,6
roadway, or street in this state by an unlicensed driver.7
C. The office of motor vehicles may require presentation of a notarized8
translation of a mini-truck title presented in a foreign language, if necessary. The9
translation shall be provided at the expense of the applicant.10
D. As used in this Section, "mini-truck" shall mean any four-wheeled,11
reduced dimension truck that does not have a National Highway Safety12
Administration classification, with a top speed of fifty-five miles per hour, equipped13
with a truck bed or compartment for hauling, and having an enclosed passenger cab.14
Mini-truck shall not mean an "all-terrain vehicle" as defined by R.S. 32:1252(1) or15
"off-road vehicle" as defined by R.S. 30:2412(5.2).16
E. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor17
vehicles, shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative18
Procedure Act, subject to oversight by the House and Senate committees on19
transportation, highways and public works, as are necessary to implement the20
provisions of this Section.21
Section 2. R.S. 47:462(A)(introductory paragraph) and(1) and (B)(3)(a)(introductory22
paragraph) are hereby amended and reenacted, and R.S. 47:462(D) is hereby enacted to read23
as follows:24
§462. Trucks and trailers25
A. Classification.26
For the purpose of registration and licensing hereunder, trucks, tandem27
trucks, truck-tractors, semitrailers, mini-trucks, as defined by R.S. 32:297.1(D), and28
trailers shall be classified as follows:29 HLS 10RS-700 REENGROSSED
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(1) Mini-trucks, as defined by R.S. 32:297.1(D) or those Those carrying or1
transporting freight, merchandise, or other property except those included in Class2
4 in Paragraph (4) of this Subsection shall be Class 1.3
* * *4
B. Rates5
* * *6
(3)(a) For each mini-truck as defined by R.S. 32:297.1, truck, tandem truck,7
truck-tractor, or truck, tandem truck, or truck-tractor used in combination with a8
trailer or semitrailer, an annual registration or license tax shall be collected by the9
commissioner or through such agency as he may designate in amounts fixed by the10
following schedule:11
* * *12
D. Any mini-truck, as defined by R.S. 32:297.1(D), which is registered in13
this state shall be issued a license plate indicating that it is a "mini-truck".14
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Little HB No. 140
Abstract: Removes restrictions on the use of mini-trucks on state roads and highways and
requires OMV to register mini-trucks as trucks.
Present law authorizes the operation of mini-trucks powered by a motor with a displacement
of 660 cubic centimeters or more on the streets and highways in this state, excluding the
interstate highways. Present law provides that the mini-vehicles must first meet federal and
state safety and emission standards and bear a state inspection sticker. Present law becomes
void if it results in the loss of federal highway funds.
Proposed law removes references to "mini-vehicles" and refers to the vehicles as "mini-
trucks".
Proposed law removes the requirement that the mini-trucks must first meet all applicable
federal safety and emissions standards.
Proposed law retains requirement that the mini-trucks must meet state safety standards.
Proposed law requires the office motor vehicles to register mini-trucks and that the license
plate issued to a mini-truck indicate that it is a mini-truck. HLS 10RS-700 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 140
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Proposed law requires that mini-trucks comply with the compulsory motor vehicle liability
security provisions of present law.
Proposed law requires operators of mini-trucks to have a driver's license.
Proposed law provides for a definition of "mini-truck".
Proposed law requires DPS&C, office of motor vehicles, to adopt rules and regulations if
necessary to implement proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 32:297.1 and R.S. 47:462(A)(intro. para.) and (1) and (B)(3)(a)(intro. para.);
Adds R.S. 47:462(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Removed references to "mini-vehicles" and refers to the vehicles as "mini-
trucks".
2. Required that the mini-trucks must meet state safety standards.
3. Required the office of motor vehicles to register mini-trucks and that the license
plate issued to a mini-truck shall indicate that it is a mini-truck.
4. Required that mini-trucks comply with the compulsory motor vehicle liability
security provisions of present law.
5. Required operators of mini-trucks to have a driver's license.
6. Provided for a definition of "mini-truck".
7. Required DPS&C, office of motor vehicles, to adopt rules and regulations if
necessary to implement proposed law.