NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5390B
SPONSOR: Lupardo TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the opera-
tion of a three-wheeled vehicle
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to amend the vehicle and traffic law to
update requirements related to the operation of autocycles, three-
wheeled motor vehicles that are widely available in New York State.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: The bill authorizes the operation of autocycles with either a
class D driver's license or class M motorcyclist's license. Autocycles
are described as a three-wheeled motor vehicle having a steering wheel
and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit
astride, is equipped with seat safety belts for all occupants, and is
manufactured to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for
motorcycles.
Section 2: The bill prohibits the use of autocycles in road tests, and
takes effect prior to May eighteenth, 2020.
Section 3: The bill prohibits the use of autocycles in road tests, and
takes effect after May eighteenth, 2020
Section 4: Section 2 or Section 3 will take effect immediately; depend-
ing on the date that chapter 513 of the laws of 2019 takes effect.
JUSTIFICATION:
Autocycles are a recent development in the motor vehicle market. An
autocycle is a three-wheeled motorcycle that has two wheels in the front
of the vehicle and one in the back, a steering wheel, and a bucket seat
that allows the operator to sit within the vehicle and not to straddle
or sit astride during operation. Under federal and New York state laws,
autocycles are classified as motorcycles because they have less than
four wheels and have other equipment and safety features consistent with
motorcycles. However, operation of an autocycle is like that of an auto-
mobile, since the operator sits in the autocycle, steers with a steering
wheel, and uses pedals (gas, brake and clutch) during operation of the
autocycle.
This bill would eliminate the need for New York operators to have a
motorcycle license, as is currently required, in order to test drive or
otherwise operate an autocycle. Although a person would not be allowed
to take a road test in an autocycle, they could operate one with either
a class D driver's license or class M motorcyclist's license. New York
law has been amended over the years to reflect the availability of new
types of motor vehicles - from all-terrain vehicles to limited use auto-
mobiles. This bill would address the newest vehicle on the market, the
autocycle.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Formerly A- 8482-A of 2018
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
