Chapter 219

2018 -- H 8203 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- COMMERCIAL LOW SPEED VEHICLES

Introduced By: Representatives Mendonca, and Abney

Date Introduced: May 16, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER

VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 19.5

CITY OF NEWPORT - COMMERCIAL LOW SPEED VEHICLES

31-19.5-1. City of Newport - Commercial low speed vehicles.

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, a commercial low-speed vehicle means a self-

propelled, electrically or gas-powered motor vehicle which that: is designed to carry eight (8) or

fewer persons; is designed to be, and is, operated at speeds of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or

less; and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements as adopted in the Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500, Low Speed vehicles (49 C.F.R. 571.500).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a low-speed vehicle may be operated upon the

roadways of the city of Newport as a commercial jitney service only if it meets the requirements

of this section.

(b) Each person operating a commercial low-speed vehicle on a roadway of the city of

Newport shall possess a valid chauffeur's license issued pursuant to § 31-10-1 and be at least

twenty (20) years old.

(c) Any person operating a commercial low-speed vehicle shall first obtain a certificate of

necessity from the Rhode Island public utilities commission.

(d) Every operator of a commercial low-speed vehicle shall maintain financial

responsibility on such the low-speed vehicle if the low-speed vehicle is to be operated upon the

roadways of the city of Newport.

(e) Every person operating a commercial low-speed vehicle shall be granted all the rights

and shall be subject to all duties applicable to the driver of any motor vehicle except as to the

special regulations in this section and except as to those provisions which that, by their nature,

can have no application.

(f) The operator of a commercial low-speed vehicle shall observe all traffic laws and

local ordinances regarding the rules of the road. A low-speed vehicle shall not be operated on a

street or a highway with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. The

provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a street or

highway with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.

(g) No person shall operate a commercial low-speed vehicle:

(1) In any careless way as to endanger the person or property of another; or

(2) While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. Low-speed vehicles

shall be manufactured and comply with the standards of the National Traffic Safety

Administration Standards for low-speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R. 571.500, as amended.

(h) A commercial low-speed vehicle shall only be operated during the hours of 6:00 am

a.m. through 12:00 am a.m.

(i) Safety inspections. Electrically powered commercial low-speed vehicles shall, where

applicable, be subject to Rhode Island's vehicle inspection program pursuant to chapter 38 of title

31 and emissions testing pursuant to chapter 47.1 of title 31. Upon registration and renewal of a

low-speed vehicle's registration, the owner shall certify, under penalty of perjury, that all lights,

tires, seat belts, and other vehicle equipment are in good working condition.

(j) Title and registration. The division of motor vehicles shall issue a title and jitney

registration for a commercial low-speed vehicle upon submission of a certificate from the

manufacturer that the low-speed vehicle meets the safety standards of the National Traffic Safety

Administration Standards for low-speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R. 571.500, as amended.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005620/SUB A

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