SPONSOR:

Rep. Ennis & Sen. Vaughn; Reps. Ewing, Lee, Mitchell, Outten, Short, Williams

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

144th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 133

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LICENSING MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend §2703(a) of Title 21 of the Delaware Code by adding the following words after the word “2-wheeled” in the first sentence:

“or 3-wheeled vehicle having less than three foot distance between the tandem wheels.”

Section 2. Amend §2703(a) of Title 21 of the Delaware Code by adding the following words after the word “title” at the end of the third sentence:

“provided there is a minimum of three foot distance between the tandem wheels to ensure vehicle stability.”

SYNOPSIS

Title 21 defines the term “motorcycle” as a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground unless it is defined as a “tractor” or an electric personal assistive mobility device. Therefore, three-wheeled vehicles are registered as motorcycles. On the other hand, Title 21 states three-wheeled motor vehicles may be operated by those with a Class D or CDL without a motorcycle endorsement. This provision was in response to the arrival of highly stable, large 3-wheel vehicles whose driving characteristics negated the need for an operator to have a motorcycle endorsement. Today motor vehicle manufacturers produce a wide variety of 3-wheel products ranging from 3-wheel vehicles the size and weight of typical motorcycles (Piaggio MP3) to vehicles similar in size and weight to small cars (T-Rex) and small pick up trucks. For licensing purposes, this bill requires the operators of 3-wheeled vehicles to have a motorcycle endorsement when the tandem wheels are less than three feet apart.