It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows
SECTION 1. Section 31-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-1 entitled "Definitions and General Code Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-1-3. Types of vehicles. -- (a) Vehicle . Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(b) Motor vehicle . Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, except vehicles moved exclusively by human power and motorized wheelchairs.
(c) Automobile . (for registration purposes) Every motor vehicle carrying passengers other than for hire.
(d) Motorcycle . Only those motor vehicles having not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle on which the driver sits astride, except bicycles with helper motors as defined in subsection (s).
(e) Motor driven cycle . Every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) horsepower, except bicycles with helper motors as defined in subsection (s).
(f) Antique motor car . (1) Antique motor car shall mean any motor vehicle which is more than twenty-five (25) years old. Unless fully inspected and meeting inspection requirements, the vehicle shall be maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest and may not be used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any public highway.
(2) Any such vehicle which is fully inspected and meets the inspection requirements of this state may be issued a registration plate upon payment of the standard fee therefor and be operated on the highways of this state and other states and may in addition to the registration plate retain the designation "antique" and display an "antique plate" as well.
(g) Motor vehicle for hire . (1) Every motor vehicle other than jitneys,public busses, hearses, and motor vehicles used chiefly in connection with and the conduct of funerals, used for transporting persons for which compensation in any form is received, or motor vehicles rented for transporting persons either with or without furnishing an operator.
(h) Jitney or bus . (1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, tractor trailer, or tractor trailer combination, used for the transportation of passengers for hire, and operated wholly or in part upon any street or highway in such manner as to afford a means of transportation similar to that afforded by a street railway company, by indiscriminately receiving or discharging passengers; or running on a regular route or over any portion thereof; or between fixed termini is hereby defined as a public bus.
(2) Every motor vehicle other than a public bus or passenger van, designed for carrying more than ten (10) passengers and used for the transportation of persons; and every motor vehicle other than a taxicab designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation is hereby defined as a private bus.
(i) School bus . Every motor vehicle owned by a public or
governmental agency, and while being operated for the transportation of children to or from school or privately owned, and while being operated for compensation for the transportation of children to or from school.(j) Trackless trolley coach . Every motor vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated on rails.
(k) Authorized emergency vehicle . Vehicles of the fire department (fire patrol), police vehicles, vehicles used by Rhode Island state marshals in the department of corrections and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the registrar.
(l) Bicycle . Every vehicle propelled exclusively by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices.
(m) Hearse . Every motor vehicle used for transporting dead human bodies, and a hearse shall be considered as an automobile for registration purposes.
(n) Suburban vehicle . Every motor vehicle with a convertible or interchangeable body or with removable seats, usable for both passenger and delivery purposes, and including motor vehicles, commonly known as station or depot wagons or any vehicle into which
access can be gained through the rear by means of a hatch or trunk and where the rear seats can be folded down to permit the carrying of articles as well as passengers.(o) Travel trailer . A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation uses, and when equipped for the road has a body width not exceeding eight feet (8') and which is eligible to be registered for highway use.
(p) Pick-up coach or pick-up camper . A structure designed primarily to be mounted on a pick-up or truck chassis and with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation uses, and which is eligible to be registered for highway use.
(q) Motorized camper . A portable dwelling designed and constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle used as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation use and which is eligible to be registered for highway use.
(r) Tent trailer . A canvas, folding structure, mounted on wheels, used as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation uses, and which is eligible to be registered for highway use.
(s) Motorized bicycles . Two-wheel vehicles which may be
propelled by human power and/or helper power, or by both, with a motor rated not more than 1.5 brake horsepower or 2 (S.A.E.) horsepower which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.(t) Motorized tricycles . Tricycles which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than 1.5 brake horsepower which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.
(u) Motorized wheelchair . Any self-propelled vehicle designed for, and used by, a handicapped person that is incapable of speed in excess of eight (8) miles per hour.
(v) Passenger van . Every motor vehicle capable of carrying ten (10) to fourteen (14) passengers plus an operator and used for personal use or not a not-for-hire basis. Passenger vans may also be used a a vanpool transporting passengers to and from work locations; provided that the operator receives no renumeration other than free use of the vehicle.
{ADD (w) Antique motorcycle. (1) Antique motorcycle shall mean any motorcycle which is more than twenty-five (25) years old. Unless fully inspected and meeting inspection requirements, the vehicle shall be maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest and may not be used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any public highway.
(2) Any such vehicle which is fully inspected and meets the inspection requirements of this state may be issued a registration plate upon payment of the standard fee therefor and be operated on the highways of this state and other states and may in addition to the registration plate retain the designation "antique" and display an "antique plate" as well. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
