hawg_ryder
Elio Addict
eddie66, thanks for finding this info from Elio... I took a look at the Texas Transportation Code Title 7 Vehicles and Traffic.. Yada Yada... basically the license requirements for Texas...I copied this post that was on Facebook back in April 2013.
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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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Elio MotorsPerfect! Thanks Misty, great work and fabulous answer! This is what we feel is a perfect outcome and one that we hope to mimic in every state! Thanks!
April 16, 2013 at 5:56pm
Section 521.001(a) (6-a) under definitions has the following...
(6-a) "Motorcycle" includes an enclosed three-wheeled passenger vehicle that:
(A) is designed to operate with three wheels in contact with the ground;
(B) has a minimum unladen weight of 900 lbs.;
(C) has a single, completely enclosed, occupant compartment;
(D) at a minimum, is equipped with:
(i) seats that are certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.207;
(ii) a steering wheel used to maneuver the vehicle;
(iii) a propulsion unit located in front of or behind the enclosed occupant compartment;
(iv) a seat belt for each vehicle occupant certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.209;
(v) a windshield and one or more windshield wipers certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.205, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.104; and
(vi) a vehicle structure certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.216; and
(E) is produced by its manufacturer in a minimum quantity of 300 in any calendar year.
Farther down, I found the following that specifies what type of license is required for the various vehicles... Basically, most people will have a class C, but if you ride a motorcycle or moped you need a class M endorsement... However, the M endorsement is not required for anyone operating a vehicle that meets the requirements spelled out in the previous section I listed... to wit:
Sec. 521.085. TYPE OF VEHICLE AUTHORIZED. (a) Unless prohibited by Chapter 522, and except as provided by Subsection (b), the license holder may operate any vehicle of the type for which that class of license is issued and any lesser type of vehicle other than a motorcycle or moped.
(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a license holder from operating a lesser type of vehicle that is a motorcycle described by Section 521.001(a)(6-a).
This would indicate to me that we're shiny! To operate an Elio in Texas you will not need a "M" endorsement or need a helmet as the Elio meets all the requirements of this section... Perhaps the situation with the Slingshot has to do with the open cockpit more than the reported "saddle" requirement... It will be interesting to see how Slingshot's status is determined and resolved... For now, I feel much better after reading the actual statutes... I can live with them classifying the Elio as a "lesser type of vehicle that is a motorcycle" if it makes it easier for everyone to own one...
h_r