Minnesota Legislature
SF 492
1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:13am
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; regulating use and operation of mini trucks on public
roadways; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 169.011, by adding a
subdivision; 169.045.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.011, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin Subd. 40a. new text end
new text begin Mini truck. new text end
new text begin
(a) "Mini truck" means a motor vehicle that has four
wheels; is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an
internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters
or less; has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds; contains an enclosed cabin and a
seat for the vehicle operator; commonly resembles a pickup truck or van, including a cargo
area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle; and was not originally manufactured to meet
federal motor vehicle safety standards required of motor vehicles in the Code of Federal
Regulations, title 49, sections 571.101 to 571.404, and successor requirements.
new text end
new text begin
(b) A mini truck does not include:
new text end
new text begin
(1) a neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) a motor vehicle that meets or exceeds the regulations in the Code of Federal
Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.045, is amended to read:
169.045 SPECIAL VEHICLE USE ON ROADWAY.
Subdivision 1.
Designation of roadway, permit.
The governing body of any
county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town may by ordinance authorize the
operation of motorized golf carts, deleted text begin ordeleted text end four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, new text begin or mini trucks, new text end on
designated roadways or portions thereof under its jurisdiction. Authorization to operate
a motorized golf cart deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end is by permit only.
For purposes of this section, a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle is a motorized flotation-tired
vehicle with four low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement of less than 800
cubic centimeters and total dry weight less than 600 poundsnew text begin , and a mini truck has the
meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 40anew text end .
Subd. 2.
Ordinance.
The ordinance shall designate the roadways, prescribe the
form of the application for the permit, require evidence of insurance complying with the
provisions of section 65B.48, subdivision 5 and may prescribe conditions, not inconsistent
with the provisions of this section, under which a permit may be granted. Permits may
be granted for a period of not to exceed one year, and may be annually renewed. A
permit may be revoked at any time if there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely
operate the motorized golf cart deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end on the
designated roadways. The ordinance may require, as a condition to obtaining a permit,
that the applicant submit a certificate signed by a physician that the applicant is able to
safely operate a motorized golf cart deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end on
the roadways designated.
Subd. 3.
Times of operation.
Motorized golf carts and four-wheel all-terrain
vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. They shall
not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog
or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons
and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
Subd. 4.
Slow-moving vehicle emblem.
Motorized golf carts shall display
the slow-moving vehicle emblem provided for in section 169.522, when operated on
designated roadways.
Subd. 5.
Crossing intersecting highways.
The operator, under permit, of a
motorized golf cart deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end may cross any street or
highway intersecting a designated roadway.
Subd. 6.
Application of traffic laws.
Every person operating a motorized golf cart
deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end under permit on designated roadways has
all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the provisions
of this chapter, except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized
golf carts deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end four-wheel all-terrain vehiclesnew text begin , or mini trucks new text end and except as otherwise
specifically provided in subdivision 7.
Subd. 7.
Nonapplication of certain laws.
The provisions of chapter 171new text begin are
applicable to persons operating mini trucksnew text end , new text begin but new text end are not applicable to persons operating
motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles under permit on designated
roadways pursuant to this section. Except for the requirements of section 169.70, the
provisions of this chapter relating to equipment on vehicles deleted text begin isdeleted text end new text begin arenew text end not applicable to
motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles operating, under permit, on
designated roadways.
Subd. 8.
Insurance.
In the event persons operating a motorized golf cart deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,
new text end four-wheel, all-terrain vehiclenew text begin , or mini truck new text end under this section cannot obtain liability
insurance in the private market, that person may purchase automobile insurance, including
no-fault coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile deleted text begin Assigned Riskdeleted text end new text begin Insurance new text end Plan new text begin under
sections 65B.01 to 65B.12, new text end at a rate to be determined by the commissioner of commerce.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.045, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end
new text begin Required equipment on mini trucks. new text end
new text begin
Notwithstanding sections 169.48
to 169.68, or any other law, a mini truck may be operated under permit on designated
roadways if it is equipped with:
new text end
new text begin
(1) at least two headlamps;
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(2) at least two taillamps;
new text end
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(3) front and rear turn-signal lamps;
new text end
new text begin
(4) an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either (i) an
exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or (ii) an interior mirror;
new text end
new text begin
(5) a windshield;
new text end
new text begin
(6) a seat belt for the driver and front passenger; and
new text end
new text begin
(7) a parking brake.
new text end
Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
This act is effective August 1, 2009, and expires on July 31, 2012.
new text end