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Three Wheel Vehicle Problems In Texas

hawg_ryder

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when it comes to automotive related things, we find two things to be very different about they handle things in Texas ....
1 - they allow flashing blue lights on most every type of vehicle that has flashing lights
2 - their interstate exits aren't anywhere close to the intersection with the road you want to leave the interstate and get onto

Jim
Say Jim, maybe before you start quoting Texas highway statutes you might take a look at the actual statute...

  1. a motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp, stop lamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
  2. except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
  3. a person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating lights unless the equipment is:
  4. used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or
  5. a running lamp, tail lamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
  6. a vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if the vehicle is:
  7. a school bus.
  8. an authorized emergency vehicle;
  9. a church bus that has the words “church bus” printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly discernable to other vehicle operators;
  10. a tow truck while under the direction of a law enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or
  11. a tow truck with a mounted light bar, which has turn signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections 547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code.
  12. a person may not operate highway maintenance or service equipment, including snow-removal equipment, that is not equipped with lamps or that does not display lighted lamps is required by the standards and specifications adapted by the Texas Department of Transportation.
  13. in this section, “tow truck” means a motor vehicle or mechanical device that is adapted or used to tow, winch, or move a disabled vehicle.
  14. Further information is available in Section 541.201 of the Transportation Code. In pertinent part, 541.201 states.
In this subtitle: (1)“Authorized emergency vehicle” means:
  1. a fire department or police vehicle.
  2. a public or private ambulance operated by a person who has been issued a license by the Texas Department of Health;
  3. a municipal department of public service corporation emergency vehicle that has been designated or authorized by the governing body of a municipality;
  4. a private vehicle of a volunteer firefighter or a certified emergency medical services employee or volunteer when responding to a fire alarm or medical emergency;
  5. an industrial emergency response vehicle, including an industrial ambulance, when responding to an emergency, but only if the vehicle is operated in compliance with criteria in effect September 1, 1989, and established by the Texas Industrial Fire Training Board of the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshall’s Association of Texas; or
  6. a vehicle of a blood bank or tissue bank, accredited or approved under laws of this State or the United States, when making emergency deliveries of blood, drugs, medicines, or organs.
Check with your local law enforcement agency or the Texas Highway Patrol if you have questions about these sections of the Transportation Code.


Now as to your second point... well, I've observed in my travels across the United States (48 States and Canada) on scooter trips that in general the poorer the State the shorter the entrance and exit ramps on Interstates and freeways... No scientific proof you understand, just an observation... Sorry that our long ramps doesn't meet with your approval... Ya'll folks over there in NC don't worry about Ol' Texas... We're doing just fine...;)

h_r:cool:
 

zelio

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"The issue is that the Texas Dept of Public Safety is stuck on the definition of a motorcycle as having a "saddle" instead of a car style seat, which the Slingshot has."

There must be some confusion by the reporter or taken out of context!
My Scoot Coup has been titled and registered for two years in Texas and it has two, side by side bucket seats with seat belts!

Makes me wonder again about the validity of some reports!
If you start getting ticketed, please let us know so we can help bail you out. LOL :) Z
 

JEBar

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in most meaning almost all states, blue lights are reserved for law enforcement vehicles .... we've seen them in Texas on everything from highway department pickups to wide load escort vehicles .... I have seen some blue lights on non law enforcement vehicles in Missouri .... my biggest concern with the exits comes when they post the bridge clearance height after the exit .... towing a rig that is 13' 5" tall has a way motivating one to pay close attention to such signs .... good to hear y'all are doing fine down in the Lone Star State .... there are probably some folks in NC who spend some time worrying about Texas but I don't know any of them

Jim
 

hawg_ryder

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Very disturbing if it works out that they are going to interpret that rule so strictly... I did a search and found many articles about it with all quoting the "saddle seating" requirement but no actual link to the law... I did find this 3 wheeled vehicle supplement in the Texas Motorcycle license handbook...
(sorry about the formatting)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES Many states require a separate license endorsement to operate a three-wheel motorcycle. This requires the rider to pass both a written and a skills test. The purpose of this supplement is to help prepare riders to complete the writ-ten exam for a two and three-wheel motorcycle license. This information is provided in addition to that offered in the first part of this Motorcycle Opera-tor Manual (MOM), so when preparing to take the written test, begin by reading the information on two-wheel motorcycles thoroughly. It provides information on safe operation of your motorcycle in traffic. This supplement contains information specific to the safe operation of a three-wheel motorcycle, including both three-track motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars. KNOW YOUR VEHICLE There are many types of three-wheel motorcycles available on the market today. Requirements for licensing three-wheel motorcycles vary by state. In general, three-wheel motorcycles will have the following characteristics: 1. Three wheels leaving two or three separate tracks during straight line operation. 2. Motorcycle-based conversion or design with: • Handlebar steering • Motorcycle-type controls with the standard layout. Convenience alterations like a single brake pedal or lever control, automatic clutch, or automatic transmission. • Saddle seating – Seating in which the rider/ passenger straddles the vehicle. If designed for a passenger, the passenger must be seated behind the operator (or in a separate passenger compartment in the case of a motorcycle with sidecar). 3. Turning diameter of the vehicle at its widest point must be less than 40’. 4. The vehicle meets all applicable federal on-road vehicle standards. Refer to your local Department of Motor Vehicles agency for exact regulations regarding:Automotive hybrids or automotive conversions • Vehicles with automotive controls or seating • Vehicles with front or rear mounted engines (engines must be mounted mid-frame below the rider to be considered motorcycle based) • Vehicles with enclosed or semi enclosed riding compartments • Motorcycles or scooters with two close-set wheels in front (contact patches less than 18.1 inches apart) that lean and maneuver like standard, single-track, two-wheel motorcycles or • Vehicles with any other departure from the above standards. 51

I've lived in Texas all my life and I've seen plenty of home brewed 3 wheelers with rear and front mounted engines as well as semi-enclosed rider compartments with a bench seat... I intend to do some more research on this subject and may have to instigate a letter writing campaign to my State representatives...

I also found this in my research... Seeing as more and more folks are buying 3 wheelers they recognized that its not the same as operating a two wheeler...

"In 2013, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 763, referenced in Transpor-tation Code, Section 521.148, that now requires persons who complete a motor-cycle course for three-wheel motorcycles be restricted to the operation of only three-wheel motorcycles. At the time of this publication, DPS had not yet imple-mented this change. Please note that this change may be implemented before the next revision of the handbook."

In Texas if you take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course you're not required to take a driving test when you go for your license... That being said I don't understand why you couldn't take the driving portion in the Elio... It does not require maneuvering in cones or such... only left and right turns, braking, etc... normal driving stuff... Again I'm only speaking on Texas I don't know about other States...

h_r:cool:
 

Anion

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Very disturbing if it works out that they are going to interpret that rule so strictly... I did a search and found many articles about it with all quoting the "saddle seating" requirement but no actual link to the law... I did find this 3 wheeled vehicle supplement in the Texas Motorcycle license handbook...
(sorry about the formatting)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES Many states require a separate license endorsement to operate a three-wheel motorcycle. This requires the rider to pass both a written and a skills test. The purpose of this supplement is to help prepare riders to complete the writ-ten exam for a two and three-wheel motorcycle license. This information is provided in addition to that offered in the first part of this Motorcycle Opera-tor Manual (MOM), so when preparing to take the written test, begin by reading the information on two-wheel motorcycles thoroughly. It provides information on safe operation of your motorcycle in traffic. This supplement contains information specific to the safe operation of a three-wheel motorcycle, including both three-track motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars. KNOW YOUR VEHICLE There are many types of three-wheel motorcycles available on the market today. Requirements for licensing three-wheel motorcycles vary by state. In general, three-wheel motorcycles will have the following characteristics: 1. Three wheels leaving two or three separate tracks during straight line operation. 2. Motorcycle-based conversion or design with: • Handlebar steering • Motorcycle-type controls with the standard layout. Convenience alterations like a single brake pedal or lever control, automatic clutch, or automatic transmission. • Saddle seating – Seating in which the rider/ passenger straddles the vehicle. If designed for a passenger, the passenger must be seated behind the operator (or in a separate passenger compartment in the case of a motorcycle with sidecar). 3. Turning diameter of the vehicle at its widest point must be less than 40’. 4. The vehicle meets all applicable federal on-road vehicle standards. Refer to your local Department of Motor Vehicles agency for exact regulations regarding:Automotive hybrids or automotive conversions • Vehicles with automotive controls or seating • Vehicles with front or rear mounted engines (engines must be mounted mid-frame below the rider to be considered motorcycle based) • Vehicles with enclosed or semi enclosed riding compartments • Motorcycles or scooters with two close-set wheels in front (contact patches less than 18.1 inches apart) that lean and maneuver like standard, single-track, two-wheel motorcycles or • Vehicles with any other departure from the above standards. 51

I've lived in Texas all my life and I've seen plenty of home brewed 3 wheelers with rear and front mounted engines as well as semi-enclosed rider compartments with a bench seat... I intend to do some more research on this subject and may have to instigate a letter writing campaign to my State representatives...

I also found this in my research... Seeing as more and more folks are buying 3 wheelers they recognized that its not the same as operating a two wheeler...

"In 2013, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 763, referenced in Transpor-tation Code, Section 521.148, that now requires persons who complete a motor-cycle course for three-wheel motorcycles be restricted to the operation of only three-wheel motorcycles. At the time of this publication, DPS had not yet imple-mented this change. Please note that this change may be implemented before the next revision of the handbook."

In Texas if you take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course you're not required to take a driving test when you go for your license... That being said I don't understand why you couldn't take the driving portion in the Elio... It does not require maneuvering in cones or such... only left and right turns, braking, etc... normal driving stuff... Again I'm only speaking on Texas I don't know about other States...

h_r:cool:
Vehicles with front or rear mounted engines (engines must be mounted mid-frame below the rider to be considered motorcycle based)

Again my Scoot Coupe has a rear mounted GY6 150cc engine and I was issued a Motorcycle Plate...

Very confusing!!! o_O
 

JEBar

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having been issued a motorcycle plate for two years, it would seem that they would have a hard time trying to rescind .... hopefully if you just keep renewing, they will keep honoring it

Jim
 

eddie66

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Very disturbing if it works out that they are going to interpret that rule so strictly... I did a search and found many articles about it with all quoting the "saddle seating" requirement but no actual link to the law... I did find this 3 wheeled vehicle supplement in the Texas Motorcycle license handbook...
(sorry about the formatting)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES Many states require a separate license endorsement to operate a three-wheel motorcycle. This requires the rider to pass both a written and a skills test. The purpose of this supplement is to help prepare riders to complete the writ-ten exam for a two and three-wheel motorcycle license. This information is provided in addition to that offered in the first part of this Motorcycle Opera-tor Manual (MOM), so when preparing to take the written test, begin by reading the information on two-wheel motorcycles thoroughly. It provides information on safe operation of your motorcycle in traffic. This supplement contains information specific to the safe operation of a three-wheel motorcycle, including both three-track motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars. KNOW YOUR VEHICLE There are many types of three-wheel motorcycles available on the market today. Requirements for licensing three-wheel motorcycles vary by state. In general, three-wheel motorcycles will have the following characteristics: 1. Three wheels leaving two or three separate tracks during straight line operation. 2. Motorcycle-based conversion or design with: • Handlebar steering • Motorcycle-type controls with the standard layout. Convenience alterations like a single brake pedal or lever control, automatic clutch, or automatic transmission. • Saddle seating – Seating in which the rider/ passenger straddles the vehicle. If designed for a passenger, the passenger must be seated behind the operator (or in a separate passenger compartment in the case of a motorcycle with sidecar). 3. Turning diameter of the vehicle at its widest point must be less than 40’. 4. The vehicle meets all applicable federal on-road vehicle standards. Refer to your local Department of Motor Vehicles agency for exact regulations regarding:Automotive hybrids or automotive conversions • Vehicles with automotive controls or seating • Vehicles with front or rear mounted engines (engines must be mounted mid-frame below the rider to be considered motorcycle based) • Vehicles with enclosed or semi enclosed riding compartments • Motorcycles or scooters with two close-set wheels in front (contact patches less than 18.1 inches apart) that lean and maneuver like standard, single-track, two-wheel motorcycles or • Vehicles with any other departure from the above standards. 51

I've lived in Texas all my life and I've seen plenty of home brewed 3 wheelers with rear and front mounted engines as well as semi-enclosed rider compartments with a bench seat... I intend to do some more research on this subject and may have to instigate a letter writing campaign to my State representatives...

I also found this in my research... Seeing as more and more folks are buying 3 wheelers they recognized that its not the same as operating a two wheeler...

"In 2013, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 763, referenced in Transpor-tation Code, Section 521.148, that now requires persons who complete a motor-cycle course for three-wheel motorcycles be restricted to the operation of only three-wheel motorcycles. At the time of this publication, DPS had not yet imple-mented this change. Please note that this change may be implemented before the next revision of the handbook."

In Texas if you take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course you're not required to take a driving test when you go for your license... That being said I don't understand why you couldn't take the driving portion in the Elio... It does not require maneuvering in cones or such... only left and right turns, braking, etc... normal driving stuff... Again I'm only speaking on Texas I don't know about other States...

h_r:cool:
I copied this post that was on Facebook back in April 2013.

[Broken External Image]

Misty Braxton‎Elio Motors
April 16, 2013 ·
I contacted the Texas Department of Public Safety, which handles drivers licenses in the state, and their response:

"Our customer service representative Ms. Hodge asked our office for a response to your question below regarding the elio, 3 wheel vehicle manufactured in Louisiana.
After looking at our Transportation Code, the short version answer to your question, yes, you will be able to drive this vehicle with your existing Texas driver license. You will not be required to have a motorcycle endorsement to operate this “lesser type of vehicle” defined in Trans. Code Section 521.085. This is the statute that lists this vehicle as an exception to Trans. Code Section 521.002 (6-a) definition of a motorcycle for drivers license requirements. Trans. Code Section 661.001 defines a motorcycle for protective headgear requirements and is says that a helmet is NOT required because it is equipped with a cab or occupant compartment, seat and seat belt and is designed to contain the operator in the cab or occupant compartment.

The definition of a motorcycle for registration purposes is defined in Trans. Code Section 502.001 #(12). This vehicle meets the requirement to be registered as a motorcycle under Texas law.

Because of the 521.085 exception to driver license law, you do NOT have to have a motorcycle endorsement for this particular vehicle.
I hope this has answered your questions regarding the Elio motor vehicle.

Major Bob Bailey
Texas Highway Patrol
Austin, Texas Headquarters


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RUCRAYZE

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Some of us need our trucks for work or for home use. We also put big wheels on to deal with the snow or mud, or because we like to go off-roading or camping- that doesn't mean we are stupid. No need to be condescending ;)
perhaps a small change on your signature- wish I could pull my hair out!!
in most meaning almost all states, blue lights are reserved for law enforcement vehicles .... we've seen them in Texas on everything from highway department pickups to wide load escort vehicles .... I have seen some blue lights on non law enforcement vehicles in Missouri .... my biggest concern with the exits comes when they post the bridge clearance height after the exit .... towing a rig that is 13' 5" tall has a way motivating one to pay close attention to such signs .... good to hear y'all are doing fine down in the Lone Star State .... there are probably some folks in NC who spend some time worrying about Texas but I don't know any of them

Jim

Blue lights for Volunteer firefighters in NY State (not NYC which is a paid force, and other municaplities that have paid departments)
 
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