SB165 Summary

• Establishes a new license plate category for low speed vehicles and mini-trucks with registration fees equal to private passenger automobiles, distributed the same way.

• Low speed vehicles are defined as four-wheeled motor vehicles with a top speed not exceeding 25 miles per hour and gross vehicle weight rating under 3,000 pounds, including neighborhood electric vehicles complying with 49 C.F.R. §571.500 safety standards.

• Mini-trucks are defined as four-wheeled reduced dimension trucks at least 48 inches wide, with unladen weight of at least 1,500 pounds, equipped with a fully enclosed metal cab, speed governor limiting speed to 25 mph, and specified safety equipment.

• Restricts operation of low speed vehicles and mini-trucks to public roads with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less, though they may cross higher-speed roads at intersections; requires special license tags indicating restricted low speed use.

• Exempts low speed vehicles and mini-trucks from certificate of title requirements by adding them to the list of vehicles ineligible for titles under Alabama Code Section 32-8-31; effective January 1, 2011.