What's happening
This bill requires all new passenger vehicles sold in New York to come with a spare tire and jack, unless the buyer waives it in writing.
Why it matters
Enhances road safety and self-sufficiency. By making spare tires and jacks standard equipment in new cars, drivers are better equipped to handle flat tires or tire emergencies, reducing the risk of being stranded or requiring roadside assistance.
Addresses a growing trend among automakers. Many manufacturers have stopped including spare tires to cut costs and save space, sometimes leaving buyers unaware until they need one. This bill ensures transparency and default availability unless buyers consciously opt out.
Imposes accountability on manufacturers. The law places the onus and financial penalty (up to $750 per violation) on manufacturers, not dealers or buyers, incentivizing compliance and potentially influencing national manufacturing practices for cars destined for New York.
Respects consumer choice. While setting a new standard, the legislation allows buyers to waive the spare tire and jack if they prefer, provided they do so in writing, balancing consumer autonomy with public safety goals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Spare Tires in Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 1623a
- Amend and recommit to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.355
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Spare Tires in Cars
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 1623--A A. 962--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection -- recommitted to the Committee on Consumer Protection in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, McDONOUGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection -- recommitted to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to providing that new passenger-type motor vehicles shall be offered for sale with a spare tire and jack
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 198-d to read as follows:
§ 198-d. Spare tire and jack required. (a) Every new passenger-type motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, manufactured for sale in New York state on or after January first, two thousand twenty shall be offered for sale with a spare tire and jack. For purposes of this section:
(1) "passenger-type motor vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle with a seating capacity of not more than eight adults;
(2) "spare tire" shall mean a tire mounted on a wheel and inflated, which is either attached to the outside of the motor vehicle or stowed in a compartment within such motor vehicle. A spare tire may be a fullsize tire or a temporary tire, commonly referred to as a "donut"; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02107-02-8
S. 1623--A 2 A. 962--A
(3) "jack" shall mean a device capable of raising or lifting a motor vehicle for the purpose of changing any tire on such motor vehicle.
(b) Any violation of the provisions of this section by any manufacturer of motor vehicles shall constitute an offense and shall be punishable by a civil fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars for each offense.
(c) Any buyer of a motor vehicle that is subject to the provisions of this section may waive the requirement set forth in subdivision (a) of this section, provided that the waiver is made in writing and a copy of such waiver containing the buyer's signature is provided to such buyer.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to providing that new passenger-type motor vehicles shall be offered for sale with a spare tire and jack
Purpose
To insure that buyers of new automobiles have the option of having a jack and spare tire with their purchase.
Summary of provisions
This bill would require that all new cars be offered with a spare tire and jack. It would allow the purchaser to waive this requirement. The waiver must be in writing and signed by the purchaser who must be provided the copy.
Justification
A number of auto makers are beginning to offer new models for sale with- out jacks and spare tires. They are offering a variety of substitutes such as run-flat tires and tire repair kits which may have some effica- cy. However, none of the substitutes provide the assurance to a driver that if he or she has a blow out they have the on board ability to continue on without some outside assistance. This bill would allow for the purchaser to waive this requirement insuring that the purchaser is fully aware at the time of purchase that the vehicle is not equipped with the jack and spare.
Legislative history
2015-16 S.320A/A.100A; 2014 S.7499/A.9676
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.