An Act To Authorize the Use of Autocycles
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§6-C is enacted to read:
(1) Safety belts for all occupants;
(2) A roll bar, roll hoops or an enclosed cab; and
(3) Brakes on at least 2 main wheels.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§63-B is enacted to read:
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §501, sub-§13 is enacted to read:
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §1252, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2011, c. 165, §1, is further amended to read:
A holder of a Class C license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate all vehicles in that class.
A Class C license authorizes:
(1) A full-time or volunteer member of an organized municipal, state or federal fire department and a law enforcement officer who is a member of an organized municipal, state or federal law enforcement department to operate fire apparatus as described in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005) and to operate a commercial motor vehicle as a mobile command unit. For purposes of this subparagraph, "mobile command unit" means a motor vehicle designed and used by a law enforcement agency primarily as a command and control platform for emergency response;
(2) A person to operate recreational vehicles for personal use;
(3) A person to operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes as required in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005);
(4) A person to operate registered farm motor trucks bearing the letter "F" on the registration plate when the vehicle is:
(a) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by the farmer's employees or family members;
(b) Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies to or from a farm;
(c) Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier; and
(d) Used within 150 miles of the registered owner's farm;
(5) A person, employed by a city, town, county, district or other unit of local government created by or pursuant to law that has a total population of 3,000 individuals or less, to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of that unit of local government for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding or salting, if:
(a) The properly licensed employee who ordinarily operates a commercial motor vehicle for those purposes is unable to operate the vehicle; or
(b) The employing governmental entity determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance; or
(6) A person to operate a truck registered as an antique automobile, regardless of weight or combination weight, provided the vehicle is used for noncommercial recreational purposes or purposes pursuant to section 101, subsection 3.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §1252, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §14, is further amended to read:
A nonresident school bus driver picking up and discharging school children or driving in conjunction with school-related activities may operate a vehicle with a certificate issued by the Secretary of State.
A school bus certificate may be issued only after the applicant has successfully passed the required examination.
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §1254, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §16, is further amended to read:
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2062, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2083, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2017, c. 51, §§1 to 3, is further amended to read:
This subsection does not apply to the operation of an autocycle.
Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §2089-B is enacted to read:
§ 2089-B. Operation of autocycles
A person operating an autocycle on a public way shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and with this section.
SUMMARY
This bill defines an autocycle as a 3-wheeled motorcycle that has a steering wheel or handlebars, floor pedals for automotive-style controls and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride a seat and establishes provisions for registration and operator licensing.