What's happening
This bill allows certain three-wheeled vehicles to be operated with a standard or motorcycle driver's license and clarifies related road test requirements.
Why it matters
Expands eligibility for standard (Class D) and motorcycle (Class M) licenses. to include operation of certain three-wheeled motor vehicles with automobile-style controls and safety features, making it easier for drivers without a motorcycle license to legally operate these vehicles.
Specifies safety and design requirements. for eligible three-wheeled vehicles: they must have a steering wheel (not handlebars), car-like seating (no straddling), seat belts for all occupants, and compliance with federal motorcycle safety standards—ensuring only safer, more car-like trikes are included.
Clarifies road test requirements. by excluding these specific three-wheeled vehicles from being used as the "representative vehicle" for road tests, preventing drivers from bypassing standard motorcycle skill testing requirements by taking the test in a potentially easier-to-operate vehicle.
May affect the growth and accessibility of three-wheeled vehicles. (like certain roadsters and autocycles) in New York, by lowering licensing barriers for consumers and possibly increasing their use as alternatives for those unable or unwilling to ride traditional motorcycles.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Three-Wheeled Car Operation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Tabled
- Vetoed memo.59
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- 3rd reading cal.882
- Substituted for S4580C
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Amended on third reading 5390b
- Ordered to third reading cal.204
Show 13 earlier actions
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.265
- Rules report cal.265
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to codes
- Print number 5390a
- Amend (t) and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Allow Three-Wheeled Cars
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Timothy M. Kennedy
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5390--B Cal. No. 204
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 11, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO, JONES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraphs (iv) and (vii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 501 of the vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph (iv) as amended by chapter 339 of the laws of 2005, subparagraph (vii) as added by chapter 173 of the laws of 1990, are amended to read as follows:
(iv) Class D. Such license shall be valid to operate any passenger or limited use automobile or any truck with a GVWR of not more than twenty-six thousand pounds or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR of not more than ten thousand pounds, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle with a GVWR of more than ten thousand pounds provided such combination of vehicles has a GCWR of not more than twenty-six thousand pounds, or any personal use vehicle with a GVWR of not more than twenty-six thousand pounds or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR of not more than ten thousand pounds, except it shall not be valid to operate a tractor, a motorcycle other than a class B or C limited use motorcycle, a vehicle used to transport passengers for hire or for which a hazardous materials endorsement is required, or a vehicle defined as a bus in subdivision one of section five hundred nine-a of this title. Such license also shall be valid to operate a three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a steering wheel and seating which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, is equipped with safety belts for all occupants and is manufactured to comply with federal motor vehicle
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05151-13-0
A. 5390--B 2
safety standards for motorcycles including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. part 571.
(vii) Class M. Such license shall be valid to operate any motorcycle, or any motorcycle, other than a limited use motorcycle, towing a trailer. Such license also shall be valid to operate a three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a steering wheel and seating which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, is equipped with safety belts for all occupants and is manufactured to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for motorcycles including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. part 571.
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 355 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Upon successful completion of the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision which shall include an alcohol and drug education component as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, a "Road Rage" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-1) of this subdivision and a "Work Zone Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-2) of this subdivision, and a "Motorcycle Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-3) of this subdivision the commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a road test in a representative vehicle of a type prescribed by the commissioner which shall be appropriate to the type of license for which application is made, except that the commissioner may waive the road test requirements for certain classes of applicants. Provided, however, that the term "representative vehicle" shall not include a three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a steering wheel and seating which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, is equipped with safety belts for all occupants and is manufactured to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for motorcycles including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. part 571. The commissioner shall have the power to establish a program to allow persons other than employees of the department to conduct road tests in representative vehicles when such tests are required for applicants to obtain a class A, B or C license. If she chooses to do so, she shall set forth her reasons in writing and conduct a public hearing on the matter. She shall only establish such a program after holding the public hearing.
§ 3. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 513 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Upon successful completion of the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision which shall include an alcohol and drug education component as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, a "Road Rage" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-1) of this subdivision and a "Work Zone Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-2) of this subdivision, a "Motorcycle Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-3) of this subdivision, and a "School Bus Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-4) of this subdivision the commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a road test in a representative vehicle of a type prescribed by the commissioner which shall be appropriate to the type of license for which application is made, except that the commissioner may waive the road test requirements for certain classes of applicants. Provided, however, that the term "representative vehicle" shall not include a three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a steering wheel and seating which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, is equipped with safety
A. 5390--B 3
belts for all occupants and is manufactured to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for motorcycles including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. part 571. The commissioner shall have the power to establish a program to allow persons other than employees of the department to conduct road tests in representative vehicles when such tests are required for applicants to obtain a class A, B or C license. If she chooses to do so, she shall set forth her reasons in writing and conduct a public hearing on the matter. She shall only establish such a program after holding the public hearing.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that if chapter 513 of the laws of 2019 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section three of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2019, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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