H.B. 238

1

LOW SPEED VEHICLE AMENDMENTS
2 2010 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Johnny Anderson
5 Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to a low-speed
10 vehicle.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . repeals the requirement that a low-speed vehicle must be equipped with a
14 speedometer and odometer and braking for each wheel; and
15 . makes technical changes.
16 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 41-6a-1508, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 153
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1508 is amended to read:
26 41-6a-1508. Low-speed vehicle.
27 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a low-speed vehicle is considered a

28 motor vehicle for purposes of the Utah Code including requirements for:
29 (a) traffic rules under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code;
30 (b) driver licensing under Title 53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act;
31 (c) motor vehicle insurance under Title 41, Chapter 12a, Financial Responsibility of
32 Motor Vehicle Owners and Operators Act;
33 (d) vehicle registration, titling, odometer statements, vehicle identification numbers,
34 license plates, and registration fees under Title 41, Chapter 1a, Motor Vehicle Act;
35 (e) vehicle taxation under Title 59, Chapter 13, Motor and Special Fuel Tax Act, and
36 fee in lieu of property taxes or in lieu fees under Section 59-2-405 ;
37 (f) motor vehicle dealer licensing under Title 41, Chapter 3, Motor Vehicle Business
38 Regulation Act;
39 (g) motor vehicle safety inspection requirements under Section 53-8-205 ; and
40 (h) safety belt requirements under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 18, Motor Vehicle Safety
41 Belt Usage Act.
42 (2) (a) A low-speed vehicle shall comply with federal safety standards established in 49
43 C.F.R. 571.500 and shall be equipped with:
44 (i) headlamps;
45 (ii) front and rear turn signals, tail lamps, and stop lamps;
46 (iii) turn signal lamps;
47 (iv) reflex reflectors one on the rear of the vehicle and one on the left and right side and
48 as far to the rear of the vehicle as practical;
49 (v) a parking brake;
50 (vi) a windshield that meets the standards under Section 41-6a-1635 , including a
51 device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield; and
52 (vii) an exterior rearview mirror on the driver's side and either an interior rearview
53 mirror or an exterior rearview mirror on the passenger side[;].
54 [(viii) a speedometer and odometer; and]
55 [(ix) braking for each wheel.]
56 (b) A low-speed vehicle that complies with this Subsection (2) and Subsection (3) and
57 that is not altered from the manufacturer is considered to comply with equipment requirements
58 under Part 16, Vehicle Equipment.

59 (3) A person may not operate a low-speed vehicle that has been structurally altered
60 from the original manufacturer's design.
61 (4) A low-speed vehicle is exempt from a motor vehicle emissions inspection and
62 maintenance program requirements under Section 41-6a-1642 .
63 (5) (a) Except to cross a highway at an intersection, a low-speed vehicle may not be
64 operated on a highway with a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
65 (b) In addition to the restrictions under Subsection (5)(a), a highway authority, may
66 prohibit or restrict the operation of a low-speed vehicle on any highway under its jurisdiction, if
67 the highway authority determines the prohibition or restriction is necessary for public safety.
68 (6) A person may not operate a low-speed vehicle on a highway without displaying on
69 the rear of the low-speed vehicle, a slow-moving vehicle identification emblem that complies
70 with the Society of Automotive Engineers standard SAE J943.
71 (7) A person who violates Subsection (2), (3), (5), or (6) is guilty of a class C
72 misdemeanor.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-22-10 2:27 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel