House Research Department
Updated: October 2008
Low-Power Vehicles
Page 17
maximum speed limit of streets on which they can be operated (25 miles per hour in a
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few states, such as California and Oregon).
Legislative activity on pocket bikes has primarily consisted of prohibiting their operation on
public streets and roads, sidewalks, trails, and other public lands. Concerns about the vehicles
include engine noise, lack of safety equipment such as horns and mirrors, stability at higher
speeds, and reduced visibility of both the vehicle (due to its small size) and the operator (due to
positioning quite low to the ground). A couple of states have also recently enacted labeling and
disclosure laws. California, New Hampshire, and Connecticut require that manufacturers or
retailers affix a label stating that pocket bikes cannot be legally operated on public roads. New
Hampshire additionally requires disclosure by the retailer that the vehicle might not be covered
under an operator's insurance policy.
Mini-trucks. Nationally, mini-trucks have been another area of recent legislative activity, with a
number of laws having gone into effect within the past year or set to become effective sometime
in 2008. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nine states, including Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, allow their use on some
public roads. The vehicles are generally restricted from operating on certain roads, such as
prohibited use on interstates or multilane highways. Often, local units of government such as
counties and cities can further restrict vehicle from roads under their jurisdiction. Top speed
capability restrictions vary from 25 miles per hour to no limit. Four states (Illinois, Kansas,
South Dakota, and Tennessee) require that the truck meets federal safety standards for "low-
speed vehicles." This is the same standard that Minnesota requires for operation of NEVs and
MSEVs.
Other types of vehicles. There are relatively longstanding laws addressing motorcycles and
motor scooters in most states. The majority of states allow Segways to be used on public
sidewalks and bike paths. A handful have not enacted legislation governing their use, and they
are not allowed in a couple of states.
For more information about vehicles, visit the transportation area of our web site,