Three-wheelers in Massachusetts

[stanz]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I put it here.

Until recently Massachusetts had legislation specifically stating that three wheeled enclosed vehicles were NOT motorcycles. That meant that they had to meet federal guidelines for cars, much tougher especially with imports.

In January our governor sign a bill that amended the regulations so that three wheelers can be registered as motorcylces as long as their certificate of originality states they meet federal safety guidelines for motorcycles. This is HUGE, it opens the door for both imported and home-grown enclosed three-wheelers!

The legislation also has sections for low speed and medium speed vehicles as well so GEM can soon sell to our residents. The law doesn't take effect until July 31, 2009 so don't run out and buy anything yet.

Oh, the vehicles must be registered, inspected, AND insured before you can use them. I wonder how the insurance industry in MA is gonna handle a GEM.

Complete text

Stan in MA

[evolutionmovement]

Awesome news! I was going to play some trickery with NH registering through a friend to get it titled as a "custom motorcycle". 3 wheeler classification in MA was not so cut and dry as that, but this finally clears it up. The RMV couldn't even tell me what a particular design of mine would have been considered (before I came up with a solution to the safety glass windshield requirement) as it was enclosed and originally was to use a Goldwing dirvetrain (the funny thing about that is that they told me an 1800 was too big to be considered a motorcycle). My vehicles would all meet car standards anyway, but that allows me a little more options for engines (emissions) and reduces my worry of getting the thing titled and dealing with the pigs once it was on the road. Too bad it rains so often as I could forego the glass windshield now. I believe the mirror requirement will be a little more free as well. What good is an interior mounted rearview mirror in a center cockpit vehicle? So I can see if my hair line starts receding?

[aerohead]

It's very good news.My mom use to say that every once in a while,the government made a mistake in our favor.

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by stanz

I wonder how the insurance industry in MA is gonna handle a GEM.
Stan in MA

A 3-wheel GEM? In MA? I LUVIT!!! We CA people are sure missing out on this one

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

That means that the Aptera will be legal in Mass, then. :-)

[Christopher Jordan]

I went to all the trouble of going to San Francisco to rent a GoCar 3-wheel many years ago, and today a similar rental 3-wheel car went by. Made for a very pleasing 3-wheel weekend, and a very Happy Easter!