Minnesota Session Laws - 2016, Regular Session

CHAPTER 114--H.F.No. 3014

An act

relating to motor vehicles; establishing regulations for autocycles;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 169.011, subdivision 44, by adding a subdivision; 169.686, subdivision 1; 169.974, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5; 171.01, by adding a subdivision; 171.02, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Autocycle. new text end

new text begin "Autocycle" means a motorcycle that: new text end

new text begin (1) has three wheels in contact with the ground; new text end

new text begin (2) is designed with seating that does not require operators or any occupants to straddle or sit astride it; new text end

new text begin (3) has a steering wheel; new text end

new text begin (4) is equipped with antilock brakes; and new text end

new text begin (5) is originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards for motorcycles in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 571, and successor requirements. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.011, subdivision 44, is amended to read:

Subd. 44.

Motorcycle.

"Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including motor scooters new text begin and autocycles new text end . Motorcycle does not include (1) motorized bicycles as defined in subdivision 45, (2) electric-assisted bicycles as defined in subdivision 27, or (3) a tractor.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.686, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Seat belt requirement.

(a) Except as provided in section 169.685, a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, including both the shoulder and lap belt when the vehicle is so equipped, shall be worn by the driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, type III vehicle, and type III Head Start vehicle. new text begin Notwithstanding the equipment exemption in section 169.685, subdivision 1, this paragraph applies to the driver and passengers of an autocycle equipped with seat belts. new text end

(b) A person who is 15 years of age or older and who violates paragraph (a) is subject to a fine of $25. The driver of the vehicle in which a violation occurs is subject to a $25 fine for each violation of paragraph (a) by the driver or by a passenger under the age of 15, but the court may not impose more than one surcharge under section 357.021, subdivision 6, on the driver. The Department of Public Safety shall not record a violation of this subdivision on a person's driving record.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.974, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

License endorsement and permit requirements.

(a) No person shall operate a motorcycle on any street or highway without having a valid deleted text begin standard deleted text end driver's license with a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement as provided by law. new text begin A person may operate an autocycle without a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement, provided the person has a valid driver's license issued under section 171.02. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner of public safety shall issue a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement only if the applicant (1) has in possession a valid two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit as provided in paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end , (2) has passed a written examination and road test administered by the Department of Public Safety for the endorsement, and (3) in the case of applicants under 18 years of age, presents a certificate or other evidence of having successfully completed an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's safety course in this or another state, in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner of public safety for courses offered by a public, private, or commercial school or institute. The commissioner of public safety may waive the road test for any applicant on determining that the applicant possesses a valid license to operate a two-wheeled vehicle issued by a jurisdiction that requires a comparable road test for license issuance.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end The commissioner of public safety shall issue a two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit to any person over 16 years of age who (1) is in possession of a valid driver's license, (2) is enrolled in an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's safety course, and (3) has passed a written examination for the permit and paid a fee prescribed by the commissioner of public safety. A two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit is effective for one year and may be renewed under rules prescribed by the commissioner of public safety.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end No person who is operating by virtue of a two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit shall:

(1) carry any passengers on the streets and highways of this state on the motorcycle while the person is operating the motorcycle;

(2) drive the motorcycle at night;

(3) drive the motorcycle on any highway marked as an interstate highway pursuant to title 23 of the United States Code; or

(4) drive the motorcycle without wearing protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Notwithstanding deleted text begin paragraph (a), (b), or (c) deleted text end new text begin paragraphs (a) to (d) new text end , the commissioner of public safety may issue a special motorcycle permit, restricted or qualified as the commissioner of public safety deems proper, to any person demonstrating a need for the permit and unable to qualify for a deleted text begin standard deleted text end driver's license.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.974, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Vehicle equipment.

(a) Any motorcycle with a seat designed or suited for use by a passenger deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be equipped with footrests new text begin or floorboards new text end for the passenger.

new text begin (b) new text end No person shall operate any motorcycle on the streets and highways deleted text begin after January 1, 1971, deleted text end unless such motorcycle is equipped with new text begin : new text end

new text begin (1) new text end at least one rear view mirror so attached and adjusted as to reflect to the operator a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the motorcycle new text begin ; new text end and deleted text begin is equipped with deleted text end

new text begin (2) new text end not less than one horn deleted text begin which shall be deleted text end new text begin that is new text end audible at a distance of at least 200 feet under normal conditions.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end All other applicable provisions of this chapter pertaining to motorcycle and other motor vehicle equipment shall apply to motorcycles, except those which by their nature have no application.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.974, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Equipment for operator and passenger.

(a) No person under the age of 18 shall operate or ride a motorcycle on the streets and highways of this state without wearing protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety; and no person shall operate a motorcycle without wearing an eye-protective device.

(b) The provisions of this subdivision deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin do new text end not apply to new text begin (1) new text end persons during their participation in a parade for which parade a permit or other official authorization has been granted by a local governing body or other governmental authority new text begin , new text end or deleted text begin to deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end persons riding within an enclosed cab new text begin autocycle new text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.974, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Driving rules.

(a) An operator of a motorcycle deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end ride only upon a permanent and regular seat which is attached to the vehicle for that purpose. No other person shall ride on a motorcycle deleted text begin ; deleted text end new text begin , new text end except that passengers may ride new text begin (1) new text end upon a permanent and regular operator's seat if designed for two persons, deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end upon additional seats attached to new text begin or in new text end the vehicle deleted text begin to the rear of the operator's seat deleted text end , or new text begin (3) new text end in a sidecar attached to the vehicle deleted text begin ; provided, however, that deleted text end new text begin . new text end The operator of a motorcycle deleted text begin shall not carry deleted text end new text begin is prohibited from carrying new text end passengers in a number in excess of the designed capacity of the motorcycle or sidecar attached to it. deleted text begin No deleted text end new text begin A new text end passenger deleted text begin shall be deleted text end new text begin is prohibited from being new text end carried in a position that deleted text begin will interfere deleted text end new text begin interferes new text end with the safe operation of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

(b) No person shall ride upon a motorcycle as a passenger unless deleted text begin , when sitting astride the seat, deleted text end the person can reach the footrests new text begin or floorboards new text end with both feet.

(c) deleted text begin No person, deleted text end Except new text begin for new text end passengers of sidecars deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end drivers and passengers of three-wheeled motorcycles, new text begin and persons in an autocycle, no person new text end shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle except while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle.

(d) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles, or other cargo which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(e) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction, nor shall any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane deleted text begin , except that deleted text end new text begin . new text end Motorcycles may, with the consent of both drivers, be operated not more than two abreast in a single traffic lane new text begin if the vehicles fit safely within the designated space of the lane new text end .

(f) Motor vehicles including motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane and no motor vehicle may be driven or operated in a manner so as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane.

(g) A person operating a motorcycle upon a roadway must be granted the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to a motor vehicle as provided by law, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.

(h) Paragraph (e) of this subdivision does not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.

(i) No person shall operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight or headlights are lighted at all times the motorcycle is so operated.

(j) A person parking a motorcycle on the roadway of a street or highway must:

(1) if parking in a marked parking space, park the motorcycle completely within the marked space; and

(2) park the motorcycle in such a way that the front of the motorcycle is pointed or angled toward the nearest lane of traffic to the extent practicable and necessary to allow the operator to (i) view any traffic in both directions of the street or highway without having to move the motorcycle into a lane of traffic and without losing balance or control of the motorcycle, and (ii) ride the motorcycle forward and directly into a lane of traffic when the lane is sufficiently clear of traffic.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 171.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 18a. new text end

new text begin Autocycle. new text end

new text begin "Autocycle" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 3a. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 171.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Driver's license classifications, endorsements, exemptions.

(a) Drivers' licenses are classified according to the types of vehicles that may be driven by the holder of each type or class of license. The commissioner may, as appropriate, subdivide the classes listed in this subdivision and issue licenses classified accordingly.

(b) Except as provided in deleted text begin paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), deleted text end new text begin this subdivision new text end and subdivision 2a, no class of license is valid to operate a motorcycle, school bus, tank vehicle, double-trailer or triple-trailer combination, vehicle transporting hazardous materials, or bus, unless so endorsed. There are four general classes of licenses as described in paragraphs (c) through (f).

(c) Class D drivers' licenses are valid for:

(1) operating all farm trucks if the farm truck is:

(i) controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by an immediate family member or an employee of the farmer;

(ii) used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies, including hazardous materials, to or from a farm;

(iii) not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier as governed by Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 365; and

(iv) used within 150 miles of the farm;

(2) notwithstanding paragraph (b), operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 3, whether or not in excess of 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight;

(3) operating a recreational vehicle as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 27, that is operated for personal use;

(4) operating all single-unit vehicles except vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers including the driver, and vehicles that carry hazardous materials;

(5) notwithstanding paragraph (d), operating a type A school bus or a multifunction school activity bus without a school bus endorsement if the requirements of subdivision 2a are satisfied, as determined by the commissioner;

(6) operating any vehicle or combination of vehicles when operated by a licensed peace officer while on duty;

(7) towing vehicles if:

(i) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less; or

(ii) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds and the combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(8) operating a covered farm vehicle as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 390.5, that is not carrying hazardous materials of a type or quantity that requires the vehicle to be placarded in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 172.504 deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (9) operating an autocycle. new text end

(d) Class C drivers' licenses are valid for:

(1) operating class D motor vehicles;

(2) with a hazardous materials endorsement, operating class D vehicles to transport hazardous materials;

(3) with a passenger endorsement, operating buses; and

(4) with a passenger endorsement and school bus endorsement, operating school buses.

(e) Class B drivers' licenses are valid for:

(1) operating all class C motor vehicles, class D motor vehicles, and all other single-unit motor vehicles including, with a passenger endorsement, buses; and

(2) towing only vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.

(f) Class A drivers' licenses are valid for operating any vehicle or combination of vehicles.

Presented to the governor May 17, 2016

Signed by the governor May 19, 2016, 10:50 a.m.