Post by dgibson3 on Dec 17, 2020 18:48:44 GMT -5
Quick Update
As of July 15, 2021, The bill did not pass. As a result, there will not be any rule writing or changes to the current process.
As the Texas house only meets every two years, this is not the optimal result. Will start looking for alternatives.
March 25, 2021
From the TX DMV – Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
I want to make sure you are aware of a bill that is currently filed. A link is below for your review. The net effect is it removes the requirement for an autocycle to be manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle. It also requires an autocycle to be titled and registered as a passenger vehicle rather than a motorcycle.
We are still analyzing this bill, but I would think this would accomplish what you are after. Having a vehicle definition that you can meet that would be classified as a motor vehicle would connect to the definition of an assembled motor vehicle in Chapter 731.
capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/SB01736I.pdf#navpanes=0
The rules for building/assembling a reverse trike in Texas can be found in several places.
A Reverse Trike is called an Autocycle in Texas
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is informing Texans about a new motor vehicle designation created by the 84th Texas Legislature through SB 449, which defines an autocycle and establishes requirements for titling, registration and operation. The law went into effect May 22, 2015.
An autocycle constitutes a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is:
designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground;
equipped with a steering wheel;
equipped with seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and
manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle.
www.dps.texas.gov/director_staff/media_and_communications/pr/2015/0610b
Then we have the Motor Vehicle Registration Manual Section 10-8
Autocycle and Motorcycle
Transportation Code, Sec. 502.005. Registration of Autocycle.
(a) In this section, “autocycle” means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is:
(1) designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground;
(2) equipped with a steering wheel;
(3) equipped with seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and
(4) manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle.
Definitions
(b) For purposes of registering a vehicle under this chapter, an autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle.
Transportation Code, Sec. 521.001. Definitions.
(a) In this chapter:
(6-a) “Motorcycle” includes an enclosed three-wheeled passenger vehicle that:
(A) is designed to operate with three wheels in contact with the ground;
(B) has a single, completely enclosed, occupant compartment; and
(C) at a minimum, is equipped with:
(i) seats that are certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.207;
(ii) a steering wheel used to maneuver the vehicle;
(iii) a propulsion unit located in front of or behind the enclosed occupant compartment;
(iv) a seat belt for each vehicle occupant certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.209;
(v) a windshield and one or more windshield wipers certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.205, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.104;
(vi) a vehicle structure certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.216, if:
(a)the unladen weight of the vehicle is more than 900 pounds;
or
(b)the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds
and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of more than 40 milers per hour; and
(vii) an active tilt control system if the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or less.
(c) The department by rule may define types of vehicles that are “motorcycles” for the purposes of this chapter, in addition to those defined under Subsection (a)(6-a), and for the purposes of Chapters 501, 502, and 503.
This subsection applies only to vehicles manufactured by a manufacturer licensed under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code.
www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/Motor_Vehicle_Registration_Manual_Book_298.pdf
Assembled Vehicles Manual and where to get things done
www.txdmv.gov/motorists/assembled-vehicles
Need to get all your paperwork together first, a search on the form number below will give you a fillable PDF you can use.
Look around for a shop with the ASE Certified logo - and then go ask to see if the Tech has their certification up to date - my local shop only charges 50USD for this inspection.
Required Documents
The following documents may be required for your assembled vehicle, based on the vehicle type, and must be submitted to the RSC for approval:
1/ Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U);
2/ Photographs of the front, rear, and side of the assembled vehicle, and if a replica, a photograph of what the vehicle is a replica of;
3/ Evidence of ownership for the basic component parts of the assembled vehicle (motor, body, and frame), as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle;
4/ Proof of an Automotive Service Excellence safety inspection (Form VTR-64) performed by a master technician if the assembled vehicle is an assembled motor vehicle, replica, custom vehicle, or street rod;
4/a. A copy of the Automobile and Light Truck certification, or a successor certification, for the master technician who completed the inspection;
5/ Vehicle Inspection Report, if the assembled vehicle is to be registered for operation on the roadway and the vehicle is not exempt from inspection;
Hint: This is the normal yearly motorcycle inspection
6/ Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (Form VTR-61);
7/ Certified weight certificate
Hint: I used the CAT Scale finder with my Zip code to find the nearest certified scale - Hint, you will need another vehicle on the trailer part of the scale - it needs a minimum of 1600LBS to trigger the scale, and my TR1ke came in at exactly 800 LBS. Take a picture of how you weighed it to show them how you did it.
8/ Your Drivers License or other Government issued photo identification; and
Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification document, as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle:
9/ Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) establishing the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the component part by which the assembled vehicle will be identified;
9/a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) -
Hint: Contact your local county sheriff's office - it is the Auto Theft division who verifies the VIN and perhaps Engine Number. Be prepared with photos and or pencil rubbings of the VIN/Frame and Engine number, as well as ownership (VTR 63 Bill of sale or title docs on Frame/engine) They issue this form - it is not available for a normal human to fill in, it must be the officer/detective.
9/b Notice of Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N);
Hint: with the 68A in hand you have 30 days to go to the regional service center to have them issue the 68-N, which is a Texas Assigned VIN number.
10/ Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the maker of the kit used to construct the assembled vehicle, or
(I was not asked for either of these)
11/ Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the manufacturer of the replica, custom vehicle, street rod, or glider kit.
If you do not have proper ownership evidence for the assembled vehicle, you may apply for a bonded title by submitting the Bonded Title Application or Tax Collector Hearing Statement of Fact(Form VTR-130-SOF) to the RSC along with all other required documents.
Then make an appointment at a regional service center (RSC) on this same page
(this is during Covid time, so this may change, although to be fair, this appointment system and the folks at the RSC in Houston are not too bad.
the entire Assembled vehicle manual, including cars and motorcycles attached as a link at the bottom of this same page.
I should be finishing my Titling process with any luck before Christmas, 2020, even with Pandemic, in Texas. I will come back and update this thread if I find something different.
As of July 15, 2021, The bill did not pass. As a result, there will not be any rule writing or changes to the current process.
As the Texas house only meets every two years, this is not the optimal result. Will start looking for alternatives.
March 25, 2021
From the TX DMV – Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
I want to make sure you are aware of a bill that is currently filed. A link is below for your review. The net effect is it removes the requirement for an autocycle to be manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle. It also requires an autocycle to be titled and registered as a passenger vehicle rather than a motorcycle.
We are still analyzing this bill, but I would think this would accomplish what you are after. Having a vehicle definition that you can meet that would be classified as a motor vehicle would connect to the definition of an assembled motor vehicle in Chapter 731.
capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/SB01736I.pdf#navpanes=0
The rules for building/assembling a reverse trike in Texas can be found in several places.
A Reverse Trike is called an Autocycle in Texas
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is informing Texans about a new motor vehicle designation created by the 84th Texas Legislature through SB 449, which defines an autocycle and establishes requirements for titling, registration and operation. The law went into effect May 22, 2015.
An autocycle constitutes a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is:
designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground;
equipped with a steering wheel;
equipped with seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and
manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle.
www.dps.texas.gov/director_staff/media_and_communications/pr/2015/0610b
Then we have the Motor Vehicle Registration Manual Section 10-8
Autocycle and Motorcycle
Transportation Code, Sec. 502.005. Registration of Autocycle.
(a) In this section, “autocycle” means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is:
(1) designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground;
(2) equipped with a steering wheel;
(3) equipped with seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and
(4) manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle.
Definitions
(b) For purposes of registering a vehicle under this chapter, an autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle.
Transportation Code, Sec. 521.001. Definitions.
(a) In this chapter:
(6-a) “Motorcycle” includes an enclosed three-wheeled passenger vehicle that:
(A) is designed to operate with three wheels in contact with the ground;
(B) has a single, completely enclosed, occupant compartment; and
(C) at a minimum, is equipped with:
(i) seats that are certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.207;
(ii) a steering wheel used to maneuver the vehicle;
(iii) a propulsion unit located in front of or behind the enclosed occupant compartment;
(iv) a seat belt for each vehicle occupant certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.209;
(v) a windshield and one or more windshield wipers certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.205, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.104;
(vi) a vehicle structure certified by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216, 49 C.F.R. Section 571.216, if:
(a)the unladen weight of the vehicle is more than 900 pounds;
or
(b)the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds
and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of more than 40 milers per hour; and
(vii) an active tilt control system if the unladen weight of the vehicle is not more than 900 pounds and the vehicle has a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or less.
(c) The department by rule may define types of vehicles that are “motorcycles” for the purposes of this chapter, in addition to those defined under Subsection (a)(6-a), and for the purposes of Chapters 501, 502, and 503.
This subsection applies only to vehicles manufactured by a manufacturer licensed under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code.
www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/Motor_Vehicle_Registration_Manual_Book_298.pdf
Assembled Vehicles Manual and where to get things done
www.txdmv.gov/motorists/assembled-vehicles
Need to get all your paperwork together first, a search on the form number below will give you a fillable PDF you can use.
Look around for a shop with the ASE Certified logo - and then go ask to see if the Tech has their certification up to date - my local shop only charges 50USD for this inspection.
Required Documents
The following documents may be required for your assembled vehicle, based on the vehicle type, and must be submitted to the RSC for approval:
1/ Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U);
2/ Photographs of the front, rear, and side of the assembled vehicle, and if a replica, a photograph of what the vehicle is a replica of;
3/ Evidence of ownership for the basic component parts of the assembled vehicle (motor, body, and frame), as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle;
4/ Proof of an Automotive Service Excellence safety inspection (Form VTR-64) performed by a master technician if the assembled vehicle is an assembled motor vehicle, replica, custom vehicle, or street rod;
4/a. A copy of the Automobile and Light Truck certification, or a successor certification, for the master technician who completed the inspection;
5/ Vehicle Inspection Report, if the assembled vehicle is to be registered for operation on the roadway and the vehicle is not exempt from inspection;
Hint: This is the normal yearly motorcycle inspection
6/ Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (Form VTR-61);
7/ Certified weight certificate
Hint: I used the CAT Scale finder with my Zip code to find the nearest certified scale - Hint, you will need another vehicle on the trailer part of the scale - it needs a minimum of 1600LBS to trigger the scale, and my TR1ke came in at exactly 800 LBS. Take a picture of how you weighed it to show them how you did it.
8/ Your Drivers License or other Government issued photo identification; and
Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification document, as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle:
9/ Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) establishing the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the component part by which the assembled vehicle will be identified;
9/a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) -
Hint: Contact your local county sheriff's office - it is the Auto Theft division who verifies the VIN and perhaps Engine Number. Be prepared with photos and or pencil rubbings of the VIN/Frame and Engine number, as well as ownership (VTR 63 Bill of sale or title docs on Frame/engine) They issue this form - it is not available for a normal human to fill in, it must be the officer/detective.
9/b Notice of Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N);
Hint: with the 68A in hand you have 30 days to go to the regional service center to have them issue the 68-N, which is a Texas Assigned VIN number.
10/ Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the maker of the kit used to construct the assembled vehicle, or
(I was not asked for either of these)
11/ Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the manufacturer of the replica, custom vehicle, street rod, or glider kit.
If you do not have proper ownership evidence for the assembled vehicle, you may apply for a bonded title by submitting the Bonded Title Application or Tax Collector Hearing Statement of Fact(Form VTR-130-SOF) to the RSC along with all other required documents.
Then make an appointment at a regional service center (RSC) on this same page
(this is during Covid time, so this may change, although to be fair, this appointment system and the folks at the RSC in Houston are not too bad.
the entire Assembled vehicle manual, including cars and motorcycles attached as a link at the bottom of this same page.
I should be finishing my Titling process with any luck before Christmas, 2020, even with Pandemic, in Texas. I will come back and update this thread if I find something different.
