Amends TCA Title 55.

Present law defines "motor-driven cycle" to mean every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor that produces no more than five brake horsepower, or with a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc. Under present law, an electric scooter or personal delivery device is not a motor-driven cycle.<br /> <br /> This bill replaces the term "motor-driven cycle" with "motorscooter". This bill defines "motorscooter" to mean any two- or three-wheel automatic transmission vehicle with a motor that produces no more than 30 brake horsepower, a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 300cc or an electric motor not to exceed 5,000 watts, a wheelbase not to exceed 64 inches, and a maximum dry weight of 450 pounds. An electric scooter or personal delivery device will not be a motorscooter.<br /> <br /> This bill applies to a motorscooter the following provisions of present law that currently apply to a motor-driven cycle:<br /> <br /> (1) Authorization for the department of transportation and local authorities to, with respect to any controlled-access roadway under their respective jurisdictions, prohibit the use of that roadway by any person operating a motor-driven cycle;<br /> <br /> (2) The prohibition against operating a motor-driven cycle at any time at a speed greater than 35 miles per hour unless the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps that are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of 300 feet ahead;<br /> <br /> (3) The requirement that any driver and passenger of a motor-driven cycle wear a crash helmet;<br /> <br /> (4) The prohibition against riding as a passenger on a motor-driven cycle unless a proper seat for a passenger is installed thereon;<br /> <br /> (5) The requirement that every motor-driven cycle operated on any highway or public road of this state is equipped with a windshield, or, in the alternative, the operator and any passenger on that motor-driven cycle wear safety goggles, face shields, or glasses containing impact resistant lenses;<br /> <br /> (6) The requirement that every motor-driven cycle operated on any highway or public road of this state is equipped with a rearview mirror and securely attached footrests for the operators and passengers;<br /> <br /> (7) The prohibition against a parent or guardian knowingly permitting a minor to operate a motor-driven cycle in violation of (3) – (6);<br /> <br /> (8) The requirement that any motor-driven cycles shall have at least one red tail lamp and one red stoplight;<br /> <br /> (9) Authorization for holders of a Class H or Class M driver license to operate a motor-driven cycle;<br /> <br /> (10) Authorization for the department of safety to issue to a minor who is at least 15 years of age a special restricted license or permit to operate a motor-driven cycle;<br /> <br /> (11) Authorization for officers to demand the exhibition of the license of any operator of a motor-driven cycle and effect the arrest of any person operating a motor-driven cycle without a license; and<br /> <br /> (12) The provisions that except a motor-driven cycle from the requirements for an electric personal assistive mobility device.<br /> <br /> ON FEBRUARY 23, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 976, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 adds that the department of safety is authorized to develop knowledge and skills tests that are suitable for the Class-M-limited license and for the operation of motorscooters. <br /> <br /> This amendment also changes the effective date to be upon becoming a law for rulemaking purposes and July 1, 2024 for all other purposes.<br />