Relates to high-speed electric personal assistive mobility devices
download bill text pdf| Date of Action |
Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2025 |
referred to transportation |
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5446
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. VANEL -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, the state finance law and
the education law, in relation to high-speed electric personal assis-
tive mobility devices
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 114-d of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by
chapter 365 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
§ 114-d. Electric personal assistive mobility device. Every self-ba-
lancing, ONE WHEELED OR two non-tandem wheeled device designed to trans-
port one person by means of an electric propulsion system with an aver-
age output of not more than seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower),
and the maximum speed of which on a paved level surface, when propelled
solely by its electric propulsion system while ridden by an operator
weighing one hundred seventy pounds, is less than [twelve and one-half]
TWENTY miles per hour.
§ 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
114-f to read as follows:
§ 114-F. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE. EVERY
SELF-BALANCING, ONE WHEELED OR TWO TANDEM OR NON-TANDEM WHEELED DEVICE
DESIGNED TO TRANSPORT ONE PERSON BY MEANS OF AN ELECTRIC PROPULSION
SYSTEM THAT EXCEEDS TWENTY MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED LEVEL SURFACE, WHEN
PROPELLED SOLELY BY ITS ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM WHILE RIDDEN BY AN
OPERATOR WEIGHING LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS.
§ 3. Section 121-c of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chap-
ter 931 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
§ 121-c. Limited use vehicle. A motor vehicle, other than one regis-
tered or capable of being registered pursuant to sections four hundred
one [or], four hundred ten, OR FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN of this chapter,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08415-01-5
A. 5446 2
which has a maximum performance speed of not more than forty miles per
hour, as defined in section one hundred twenty-two-b of this chapter.
§ 4. Section 204 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter
464 of the laws of 1960, is amended to read as follows:
§ 204. Subpoenaing hearing referees. No officer or employee of the
department of motor vehicles who has conducted a hearing concerning an
owner or operator of a motor vehicle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE, or motorcycle shall be required to appear in
any court as a witness in a civil action in which such owner or operator
is a party except pursuant to a subpoena signed by a judge of a court of
record, or a judge of the court in which the action is pending, issued
upon an application to such judge after, at least, one day's notice to
the commissioner or a deputy commissioner of motor vehicles.
§ 5. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new article
12-E to read as follows:
ARTICLE 12-E
EQUIPMENT OF HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
SECTION 399-AA. DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE.
399-BB. TURNING INDICATORS.
399-CC. BELLS.
399-DD. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY STANDARDS.
399-EE. PROHIBITED CHARGERS.
399-FF. OPERATOR'S MANUAL.
399-GG. LAW GOVERNING DISPUTES OVER DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND
SAFETY.
§ 399-AA. DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. OTHER THAN THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS
UNDER THIS ARTICLE, A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE MAY BE MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT
SAFETY AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES.
§ 399-BB. TURNING INDICATORS. A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TURNING INDICATOR.
§ 399-CC. BELLS. NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE UNLESS IT IS EQUIPPED WITH, OR THE
OPERATOR IS HOLDING, A BELL OR OTHER DEVICE CAPABLE OF GIVING A SIGNAL
AUDIBLE FOR A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED FEET, EXCEPT THAT SUCH
DEVICE SHALL NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH NOR SHALL ANY PERSON USE UPON SUCH
DEVICE ANY SIREN OR WHISTLE.
§ 399-DD. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY STANDARDS. ALL HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES SHALL BE MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED
TO MITIGATE THE RISK OF SERIOUS FATAL INJURY IN CHILD AND ADULT PEDES-
TRIAN COLLISIONS.
§ 399-EE. PROHIBITED CHARGING DEVICES. NO HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL BE SOLD OR CHARGED WITH A
UNIVERSAL CHARGER.
§ 399-FF. OPERATOR'S MANUAL. EVERY HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSIS-
TIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL COME WITH AN OPERATION MANUAL THAT MAY BE
EITHER PRINTED OR READILY ACCESSIBLE VIA THE INTERNET.
§ 399-GG. LAW GOVERNING DISPUTES OVER DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY, AND FAILURE TO WARN. ALL DISPUTES RELATED TO THE DESIGN, THE
MANUFACTURE, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, AND FAILURE TO WARN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
THE STATE'S COMMON LAW ON PRODUCT LIABILITY AND IF NO APPLICABLE COMMON
LAW EXISTS, THEN BY STATUTE.
§ 6. Subdivision a of section 400 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
added by chapter 776 of the laws of 1959, is amended to read as follows:
A. 5446 3
a. Upon the registration, numbering and regulation of motor vehicles,
HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES, and motorcy-
cles; and
§ 7. Section 403-a of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chap-
ter 61 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
§ 403-a. Temporary indicia of registration. The commissioner may
promulgate regulations to provide for temporary indicia of registration
which shall permit a person to operate or park a motor vehicle, HIGH-
SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or trailer on the
public highways of this state without number plates OR NUMBER DECALS
issued by the commissioner or validating stickers for a period not to
exceed fifteen days when the number plate or plates, NUMBER DECAL or
validating sticker for such motor vehicle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or trailer has been lost, stolen, mutilated or
destroyed. Such regulations may provide for the charging of a fee of not
more than three dollars for any issuance of temporary indicia of regis-
tration. Any person who operates or parks a motor vehicle, HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or trailer on the public
highways of this state, which motor vehicle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or trailer is in fact validly regis-
tered pursuant to the provisions of section four hundred one [or], four
hundred ten, OR FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN of this [chapter] TITLE, without a
number plate or plates, NUMBER DECAL or validating sticker, and who has
complied with any such regulations promulgated by the commissioner under
this section shall not be deemed to be operating or parking a motor
vehicle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or
trailer in violation of subdivision one or three of section four hundred
two or section four hundred three of this [chapter] TITLE. Falsifying
any temporary indicia of registration prescribed by any regulation of
the commissioner issued pursuant to this section shall be a traffic
infraction.
§ 8. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new article
15-B to read as follows:
ARTICLE 15-B
REGISTRATION OF HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
SECTION 414. REGISTRATION OF HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICES; FEES; RENEWALS.
414-A. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE
SAFETY PROGRAM.
414-B. DISTINCTIVE NUMBER; FORM OF NUMBER DECALS.
414-C. FINANCIAL SECURITY.
414-D. PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATION.
§ 414. REGISTRATION OF HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICES; FEES; RENEWALS. 1. REGISTRATION BY OWNERS. NO HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES SHALL BE OPERATED OR DRIVEN
UPON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OF THIS STATE WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF LESS
THAN FORTY MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT FIRST BEING REGISTERED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY
PROVIDED IN THIS CHAPTER. EVERY OWNER OF A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE WHICH SHALL BE OPERATED OR DRIVEN UPON THE
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OF THIS STATE WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF LESS THAN
FORTY MILES PER HOUR SHALL, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED,
CAUSE TO BE FILED, BY MAIL OR OTHERWISE, IN THE OFFICE OR A BRANCH
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER, OR WITH AN AGENT OF THE COMMISSIONER,
CONSTITUTED AS PROVIDED IN THIS CHAPTER, AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRA-
TION, ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSIONER, AND ON A BLANK TO BE PREPARED UNDER
A. 5446 4
THE DIRECTION OF AND FURNISHED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THAT PURPOSE,
CONTAINING:
(A) A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE TO BE REGISTERED, INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE MANUFACTURER
AND FACTORY NUMBER OF SUCH DEVICE; AND
(B) THE NAME, RESIDENCE, INCLUDING COUNTY AND BUSINESS ADDRESS OF THE
OWNER OF SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE.
2. REGISTRATION RECORD. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A SUFFICIENT APPLICATION
FOR REGISTRATION, AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE COMMISSIONER OR AGENT
RECEIVING IT SHALL REGISTER SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE, AND MAINTAIN A RECORD OF THE REGISTRATION OF SUCH HIGH-
SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE UNDER THE DISTINCTIVE
NUMBER ASSIGNED TO SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE, AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, AND THE INFORMATION IN SUCH RECORD
MAY BE OBTAINED UPON PAYMENT OF THE FEES SPECIFIED IN SECTION TWO
HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
3. CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. (A) UPON THE FILING OF SUCH APPLICA-
TION AND THE PAYMENT OF THE FEE HEREINAFTER PROVIDED, THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL ASSIGN TO SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE A DISTINCTIVE NUMBER AND, WITHOUT EXPENSE TO THE APPLICANT, ISSUE
AND DELIVER IN SUCH MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY SELECT TO THE OWNER A
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION, IN SUCH FORM AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY
PRESCRIBE, AND A NUMBER DECAL AT A PLACE WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
NAMED BY THE APPLICANT IN SUCH APPLICANT'S APPLICATION. IN THE EVENT OF
THE LOSS, MUTILATION OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
OR NUMBER DECAL, THE OWNER OF A REGISTERED DEVICE MAY FILE SUCH STATE-
MENT AND PROOF OF THE FACTS AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REQUIRE, WITH A
FEE OF THREE DOLLARS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER, OR, UNLESS AND
UNTIL THE COMMISSIONER SHALL OTHERWISE DIRECT, IN THE OFFICE OF THE
AGENT WHO ISSUED THE CERTIFICATE OR DECAL AND THE COMMISSIONER OR THE
COMMISSIONER'S AGENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL ISSUE A DUPLICATE OR
SUBSTITUTE. NO APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION SHALL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS THE
APPLICANT IS AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
(B) UPON THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION, THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL PROVIDE THE OWNER OF SUCH DEVICE WITH A NOTICE REGARDING
THE LAWS GOVERNING UNIDENTIFIABLE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE PARTS, IN SUCH FORM AND MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY
PRESCRIBE.
4. TIMES FOR REGISTRATION AND REREGISTRATION. REGISTRATION APPLIED FOR
AND CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER ANY APPLICATION SHALL EXPIRE ON A DATE
DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER. REGISTRATION SHALL BE RENEWED PERIOD-
ICALLY IN THE SAME MANNER AND UPON PAYMENT OF THE SAME ANNUAL FEE AS
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION FOR REGISTRATION, TO TAKE EFFECT AND TO EXPIRE
ON DATES TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO FIX THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR
WHICH ANY SUCH DEVICE WHICH IS REGISTERED WITHOUT FEE SHALL BE REGIS-
TERED. PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, THAT RENEWAL OF A REGISTRATION MAY BE
USED PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION DATE OF SUCH REGISTRATION INCLUDING SUCH
EXPIRATION DATE.
5. REGISTRATION FEES. (A) THE ANNUAL FEE FOR REGISTRATION OR REREGIS-
TRATION OF A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE
SHALL BE SEVENTEEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS.
(B) WHERE A REGISTRATION IS MADE FOR A PERIOD OF MORE OR LESS THAN ONE
CALENDAR YEAR, THE REGISTRATION FEE SHALL NOT BE PRORATED. THE
PROVISIONS HEREOF WITH RESPECT TO THE PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES SHALL
NOT APPLY TO HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
A. 5446 5
OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE STATE, A CITY, COUNTY, VILLAGE OR TOWN OR ANY
OF THE DEPARTMENTS THEREOF, OR ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT OR COUNTY EXTENSION
SERVICE ASSOCIATION, BUT IN OTHER RESPECTS SHALL BE APPLICABLE.
6. FEES IN LIEU OF TAXES. THE REGISTRATION FEES IMPOSED BY THIS ARTI-
CLE UPON SUCH DEVICES SHALL BE IN LIEU OF ALL TAXES, GENERAL OR LOCAL,
TO WHICH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES MAY BE
SUBJECT.
§ 414-A. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY
PROGRAM. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY PROGRAM WHICH SHALL
CONSIST OF APPROVED HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE RIDER TRAINING COURSES, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE COURSE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING, PROGRAM PROMOTION, AND
PUBLIC AWARENESS. APPROVED RIDER TRAINING COURSES SHALL BE APPROVED BY
THE DEPARTMENT. APPROVED COURSES SHALL INCLUDE AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS OF
INSTRUCTION IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE. MONIES FROM THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
NINETY-TWO-KK OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW SHALL BE USED FOR THE ESTABLISH-
MENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM.
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE COOR-
DINATION OF A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE
SAFETY PROGRAM WHICH SHALL SET REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BIDS.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT, FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE
YEARS, WITH A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE
RIDER TRAINING COORDINATING ORGANIZATION SELECTED PURSUANT TO SUCH PROC-
ESS. THE CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FOLLOWING THE CONSIDERATION OF
FACTORS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE MOST FAVORABLE
FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE FOR THE STATE, THE GREATEST UTILITY TO THE RIDER,
THE COMPREHENSIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH ORGANIZATION AND ITS
COMPATIBILITY WITH THE EXISTING RIDER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER TRAINING COORDINATION
ORGANIZATION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ESTAB-
LISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OUTLINING THE ADMINISTRATION AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF ITS PROGRAM AND AN ITEMIZATION OF ALL HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY FUND ALLOCATIONS. SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER TRAINING COORDINATING
ORGANIZATION SHALL HAVE AS ITS ADMINISTRATOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NO
FINANCIAL OR PROPRIETARY INTEREST IN A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE TRAINING SCHOOL OR FACILITY.
3. THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER
TRAINING COORDINATING ORGANIZATION SHALL SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR
APPROVAL REQUESTS FOR ADVANCES PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT AND REIMBURSEMENTS
FROM THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY
FUND FOR EQUIPMENT, OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND OTHER
EXPENSES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL APPROVE ALL SUCH REQUESTS FOR EXPENDITURES THAT ARE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
4. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY FILE A REPORT ON EXPENDITURES FROM
THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY FUND,
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-TWO-KK OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW,
WITH THE LEGISLATURE. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE FUNDED
HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER TRAINING
COORDINATING ORGANIZATION AND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO IT AND
SHALL PROVIDE AN EVALUATION OF THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FUNDED
PROGRAMS AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAMMATIC CHANGES.
A. 5446 6
§ 414-B. DISTINCTIVE NUMBER; FORM OF NUMBER DECALS. 1. NO PERSON SHALL
OPERATE OR DRIVE A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OF THIS STATE WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF
LESS THAN FORTY MILES PER HOUR UNLESS SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL HAVE A DISTINCTIVE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO IT
BY THE COMMISSIONER AND A NUMBER DECAL ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER WITH A
NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION CONSPIC-
UOUSLY DISPLAYED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE WHICH IS READILY VISIBLE.
2. SUCH NUMBER DECALS SHALL BE OF SUCH MATERIAL, FORM, DESIGN AND
DIMENSIONS AND CONTAIN OR SET FORTH SUCH DISTINGUISHING NUMBER OR OTHER
IDENTIFICATION MARKS AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PRESCRIBE, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THERE SHALL BE AT ALL TIMES A MARKED CONTRAST BETWEEN THE
COLOR OF THE NUMBER DECALS AND THAT OF THE NUMERALS OR LETTERS THEREON,
AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT NO HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL DISPLAY THE NUMBER DECALS OF MORE THAN ONE STATE
AT A TIME, NOR SHALL ANY DECAL BE USED OTHER THAN THOSE ISSUED BY THE
COMMISSIONER.
3. NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE OR DRIVE A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE UPON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OF THIS STATE WITH A
POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF LESS THAN FORTY MILES PER HOUR HAVING DISPLAYED
THEREON A NUMBER DECAL NOT PROPER FOR SUCH HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER AND, UPON
CONVICTION FOR THIS OFFENSE, THE NUMBER DECAL SHALL BE DESTROYED WITH
PROOF OF SUCH DESTRUCTION SUBMITTED TO THE COURT FOR DELIVERY TO THE
COMMISSIONER.
4. NO PERSON SHALL KNOWINGLY AUTHORIZE OR PERMIT A NUMBER DECAL ISSUED
FOR A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE OWNED AND
REGISTERED BY SUCH PERSON TO BE DISPLAYED ON ANY HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE OTHER THAN A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE TO WHICH SUCH NUMBER DECAL HAS BEEN
ASSIGNED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
§ 414-C. FINANCIAL SECURITY. NO EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SECURITY SHALL
BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILI-
TY DEVICE.
§ 414-D. PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATION. THE VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY NOR MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED
DOLLARS, OR BY IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN DAYS, OR BY BOTH
SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT EXCEPT, IF THE VIOLATION CONSISTS OF FAILURE
TO RENEW A REGISTRATION WHICH WAS VALID WITHIN SIXTY DAYS, THE FINE
SHALL BE NOT LESS THAN TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. A VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TWENTY-FIVE NOR MORE THAN TWO
HUNDRED DOLLARS OR BY IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN DAYS, OR BY
BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
§ 9. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new article
34-E to read as follows:
ARTICLE 34-E
OPERATION OF HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
SECTION 1295. TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO PERSONS OPERATING HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES.
1296. RIDING ON HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE.
1297. OPERATING HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE ON HIGHWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC.
A. 5446 7
1298. CLINGING TO OTHER VEHICLES.
§ 1295. TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO PERSONS OPERATING HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES. EVERY PERSON OPERATING A HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL BE GRANTED ALL OF THE
RIGHTS AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE DUTIES APPLICABLE TO THE DRIV-
ER OF ANY OTHER VEHICLE UNDER THIS TITLE, EXCEPT AS TO SPECIAL REGU-
LATIONS IN THIS ARTICLE AND EXCEPT AS TO THOSE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE
WHICH BY THEIR NATURE CAN HAVE NO APPLICATION.
§ 1296. RIDING ON HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE. 1. A PERSON OPERATING A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL RIDE ONLY IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE MANUFAC-
TURER OF SUCH DEVICE, AND SUCH RIDER SHALL NOT CARRY ANY OTHER PERSON
NOR SHALL ANY OTHER PERSON RIDE ON A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSIS-
TIVE MOBILITY DEVICE.
2. NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE WHILE CARRYING ANY PACKAGE, BUNDLE OR OTHER ARTICLE
WHICH PREVENTS SUCH PERSON FROM OPERATING SUCH DEVICE IN THE MANNER
PRESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
3. NO PERSON SHALL CARRY ANY PERSON, NOR SHALL ANY PERSON RIDE, IN A
POSITION THAT WILL INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF CONTROL OF THE HIGH-
SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE OR THE VIEW OF THE
OPERATOR.
§ 1297. OPERATING HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE ON HIGHWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC. 1. ALL HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES ARE ENTITLED TO FULL USE OF A LANE
AND NO MOTOR VEHICLE OR HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE SHALL BE DRIVEN IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO DEPRIVE ANY HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE OF THE FULL USE OF A LANE.
HOWEVER, THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE FROM BEING OPERATED TWO ABREAST
IN A SINGLE LANE.
2. THE OPERATOR OF A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE SHALL NOT OVERTAKE AND PASS IN THE SAME LANE OCCUPIED BY THE
VEHICLE BEING OVERTAKEN.
3. NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE BETWEEN LANES OF TRAFFIC OR BETWEEN ADJACENT LINES OR
ROWS OF VEHICLES.
4. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES SHALL NOT
BE OPERATED MORE THAN TWO ABREAST IN A SINGLE LANE.
5. NO HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL BE
OPERATED ON A HIGHWAY WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF GREATER THAN FORTY
MILES PER HOUR.
6. EVERY HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE WHEN
IN USE DURING THE PERIOD FROM ONE-HALF HOUR AFTER SUNSET TO ONE-HALF
HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH A LIGHT ON THE FRONT WHICH
SHALL EMIT A WHITE LIGHT VISIBLE DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS FROM A
DISTANCE OF AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED FEET TO THE FRONT AND WITH AN ADDI-
TIONAL RED LIGHT VISIBLE TO THE REAR FOR THREE HUNDRED FEET. AT LEAST
ONE OF THESE LIGHTS SHALL BE VISIBLE FOR TWO HUNDRED FEET FROM EACH
SIDE.
7. EVERY HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL
BE EQUIPPED WITH A SYSTEM THAT ENABLES THE OPERATOR TO BRING THE DEVICE
TO A CONTROLLED STOP.
§ 1298. CLINGING TO OTHER VEHICLES. NO PERSON RIDING UPON A HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL ATTACH THEMSELF OR THE
A. 5446 8
HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE TO ANY OTHER
VEHICLE OR STREETCAR ON A HIGHWAY.
§ 10. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 92-kk
to read as follows:
§ 92-KK. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY
FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE STATE
COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND
TO BE KNOWN AS THE "HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE SAFETY FUND".
2. MONEYS OF THE FUND, FOLLOWING APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE,
SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES ONLY FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE SAFETY PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN-A OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW. NO MORE THAN TEN
PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL RECEIPTS OF THE FUND MAY BE USED FOR ADMINISTRA-
TIVE AND PERSONNEL COSTS OF THE DEPARTMENT NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT AND
ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. REMAINING MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE USED FOR
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER TRAINING COORDINATING ORGANIZA-
TION DESIGNATED UNDER SECTION FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN-A OF THE VEHICLE AND
TRAFFIC LAW.
3. THE MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE PAID OUT ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT
OF THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS CERTIFIED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER
OF MOTOR VEHICLES, INCLUDING ADVANCES OF FUNDS PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT TO
A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE RIDER TRAINING
COORDINATING ORGANIZATION. AT THE END OF EACH YEAR ANY MONEYS REMAINING
IN THE FUND SHALL BE RETAINED IN THE FUND AND SHALL NOT REVERT TO THE
GENERAL FUND. THE INTEREST AND INCOME EARNED ON MONEY IN THE FUND, AFTER
DEDUCTING ANY APPLICABLE CHARGES, SHALL BE CREDITED TO THE FUND.
§ 11. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 501 of the vehicle and
traffic law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (ix) to read as
follows:
(IX) CLASS E1. SUCH LICENSE SHALL BE VALID TO OPERATE ANY HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION ONE
HUNDRED FOURTEEN-F OF THIS CHAPTER.
§ 12. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 502 of the vehicle and
traffic law, as amended by chapter 618 of the laws of 2021, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this subdivision an appli-
cant for a class A, B, C [or], E OR E1 license shall be at least eigh-
teen years of age.
§ 13. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 502 of the vehicle and
traffic law, as amended by chapter 520 of the laws of 1991, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this subdivision an appli-
cant for a class B, C [or], E OR E1 license shall be at least eighteen
years of age.
§ 14. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraphs (b), (c-3) and
(d) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law,
subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) as amended by chap-
ter 379 of the laws of 2022, paragraph (c-3) as added by chapter 355 of
the laws of 2017 and paragraph (d) as amended by chapter 477 of the laws
of 2024, are amended to read as follows:
(i) Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the
applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit evidence
of passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the
A. 5446 9
laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while intoxicat-
ed, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", "Work Zone Safety"
awareness, "Motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBIL-
ITY DEVICE Safety" awareness and "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety"
awareness as defined by the commissioner, "School Bus Safety" awareness,
the law relating to exercising due care to avoid colliding with a
parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehi-
cle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the
ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such other
matters as the commissioner may prescribe, and to satisfactorily
complete a course prescribed by the commissioner of not less than four
hours and not more than five hours, consisting of classroom driver
training and highway safety instruction or the equivalent thereof. Such
test shall include at least seven written questions concerning the
effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability of a person to
operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences result-
ing from violations of section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chap-
ter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs. Such test shall include one or more written
questions concerning the devastating effects of "Road Rage" on the abil-
ity of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial
consequences resulting from assaulting, threatening or interfering with
the lawful conduct of another person legally using the roadway. Such
test shall include one or more questions concerning the potential
dangers to persons and equipment resulting from the unsafe operation of
a motor vehicle in a work zone. Such test may include one or more ques-
tions concerning motorcycle safety. Such test may include one or more
questions concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding
with a parked, stopped or standing vehicle pursuant to section eleven
hundred forty-four-a of this chapter. Such test may include one or more
questions concerning school bus safety. Such test may include one or
more questions concerning pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Such test
shall be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner shall cause
the applicant to take a vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon
passage of the vision test, the application may be accepted and the
application fee shall be payable.
(b) Upon successful completion of the requirements set forth in para-
graph (a) of this subdivision which shall include an alcohol and drug
education component as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, a
"Road Rage" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-1) of this
subdivision, a "Work Zone Safety" awareness component as described in
paragraph (c-2) of this subdivision, a "Motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE Safety" awareness component as
described in paragraph (c-3) of this subdivision, a "School Bus Safety"
awareness component as described in paragraph (c-4) of this subdivision,
and a "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness component as described
in paragraph (c-5) of this subdivision, the commissioner shall cause the
applicant to take a road test in a representative vehicle of a type
prescribed by the commissioner which shall be appropriate to the type of
license for which application is made, except that the commissioner may
waive the road test requirements for certain classes of applicants.
Provided, however, that the term "representative vehicle" shall not
include a three-wheeled motor vehicle that has two wheels situated in
the front and one wheel in the rear, has a steering mechanism and seat-
ing which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, is
equipped with safety belts for all occupants and is manufactured to
A. 5446 10
comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for motorcycles
including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. part 571. The commissioner
shall have the power to establish a program to allow persons other than
employees of the department to conduct road tests in representative
vehicles when such tests are required for applicants to obtain a class
A, B or C license. If [she] THE COMMISSIONER chooses to do so, [she] THE
COMMISSIONER shall set forth [her] THE COMMISSIONER'S reasons in writing
and conduct a public hearing on the matter. [She] THE COMMISSIONER shall
only establish such a program after holding the public hearing.
(c-3) "Motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE Safety" awareness component. The commissioner shall provide in
the pre-licensing course, set forth in paragraph (b) of this subdivi-
sion, a mandatory component in "Motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC
PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE Safety" awareness education as a
prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle. The
purpose of the component is to educate prospective licensees on the
potential dangers to persons operating motorcycles AND HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES on the roadway.
(d) (i) The commissioner shall make available for distribution upon
registration at each location where the pre-licensing course will be
given (1) instructional handbooks outlining the content of the entire
curriculum of the pre-licensing course including the information
required to be included in the course pursuant to paragraphs (c), (c-1),
(c-2), (c-3), (c-4) and (c-5) of this subdivision, and (2) information
as to how a person may register in the New York state organ and tissue
donor registry under section forty-three hundred ten of the public
health law.
(ii) The commissioner shall also provide for the additional training
of the instructors necessary for the competent instruction of the alco-
hol and drug education, "Road Rage" awareness, "Work Zone Safety" aware-
ness, "Motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY
DEVICE Safety" awareness, "School Bus Safety" awareness and "Pedestrian
and Bicyclist Safety" awareness subject matters of the pre-licensing
course.
§ 15. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b), subparagraph (iii) of para-
graph (c) and paragraph (c-1) of subdivision 2 of section 503 of the
vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) and subpara-
graph (iii) of paragraph (c) as amended by section 1 of part F of chap-
ter 59 of the laws of 2009 and paragraph (c-1) as amended by section 3
of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, are amended to read as
follows:
(ii) Upon passage of the knowledge test required to obtain a learner's
permit, the applicant for a class C license which does not have an H, P
or X endorsement or a class E license shall be required to pay six
dollars and twenty-five cents for each six months or portion thereof of
the period of validity of a learner's permit or license which is or may
be issued, and an applicant for a class D, DJ, E1, M or MJ license shall
be required to pay three dollars and twenty-five cents for each six
months or portion thereof of the period of validity of a learner's
permit or license which is or may be issued. No additional fee shall be
required of any such applicant to take up to two road tests. Such road
test must be passed before a license will be issued.
(iii) For a class D, DJ, E1, M or MJ license, three dollars and twen-
ty-five cents, for each six months or portion thereof.
(c-1) In addition to the fees established in paragraphs (b) and (c) of
this subdivision, a fee of fifty cents for each six months or portion
A. 5446 11
thereof of the period of validity shall be paid upon the issuance of any
permit, license or renewal of a license which is valid for the operation
of a motorcycle, except a limited use motorcycle, OR A HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE.
§ 16. Subdivisions 2 and 4 of section 506 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as added by chapter 780 of the laws of 1972, are amended to read as
follows:
2. The commissioner may require every person holding a license issued
pursuant to this article to submit to such an examination as shall be
determined by [him] THE COMMISSIONER to be appropriate if such person
has been involved in three accidents while driving a motor vehicle,
HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE, or motorcycle
within a period of eighteen months, if such accidents were required to
be reported by section six hundred five of this chapter.
4. Any person holding a license issued pursuant to this chapter who
suffers permanent loss of use of one or both hands or arms or of one or
both feet or legs, or one eye shall, before operating any motor vehicle,
HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE, or motorcycle
make report thereof to the commissioner, who shall take such reasonable
action as may be proper under the provisions of this section.
§ 17. Subdivision (c) of section 605 of the vehicle and traffic law,
as amended by chapter 196 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as
follows:
(c) The report required by this section shall be made in such form and
number as the commissioner may prescribe. Such report shall include
information on the width and length of trucks, tractors, trailers and
semitrailers, which are in excess of ninety-five inches in width or
thirty-four feet in length and which are involved in such accidents,
whether such accident took place in a work area and whether it was being
operated with an overweight or over dimension permit. Such report shall
distinctly indicate and include information as to whether the inflatable
restraint system inflated and deployed. Such report shall include infor-
mation on the type or types of vehicles involved, including passenger
motor vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, limited use
motorcycles, off-highway motorcycles, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL
ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES, electric scooters, bicycles with electric
assist, and/or bicycles.
§ 18. Section 1604 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chap-
ter 247 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1604. Local ordinances prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in
this chapter, local authorities shall have no power to pass, enforce or
maintain any ordinance, rule or regulation requiring from any owner of a
motor vehicle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE,
or motorcycle, or from any operator or chauffeur to whom this chapter is
applicable, any tax, fee, license or permit for the use of the public
highways, or excluding any such owner, operator or chauffeur from the
free use of such public highways, excepting such driveway, speedway or
road as has been or may be expressly set apart by law for the exclusive
use of horses and light carriages, or in any other way restricting motor
vehicles, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES, or
motorcycles or their speed upon or use of the public highways; or
setting aside for any given time a specified public highway or any part
thereof constructed in whole or in part at the expense of the state for
exhibitions, shows, exercises, entertainments or meetings; and no ordi-
nance, rule or regulation contrary to or in any wise inconsistent with
A. 5446 12
the provisions of this chapter, now in force or hereafter enacted shall
have any effect.
Provided, however, that the power given to local authorities to
license and regulate vehicles offered to the public for hire, and proc-
essions, assemblages or parades in the streets or public places, and all
ordinances, rules and regulations which may have been or which may be
enacted in pursuance of such powers shall remain in full force and
effect.
§ 19. Subdivision 1 of section 806-a of the education law, as amended
by chapter 644 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all school districts
providing instruction in driver education shall include in such instruc-
tion: (a) a driver safety component with an emphasis on the effects of
alcohol and drug use, (b) instruction in motorcycle AND HIGH-SPEED ELEC-
TRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE safety awareness. The commis-
sioner, upon approval by the commissioner of motor vehicles, shall
establish a curriculum for the alcohol and drug education component
which shall include but not be limited to: instruction describing the
hazards of driving while impaired or intoxicated; the penalties for
alcohol related motor vehicle violations including sanctions set forth
in the penal law that apply to homicides and assaults arising out of the
operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated and those sanctions set
forth in the vehicle and traffic law relating to driving while intoxi-
cated; and the medical, biological and physiological effects of the
consumption of alcohol and their impact on the operation of a motor
vehicle.
§ 20. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 of section 420 of the vehicle
and traffic law, subdivisions 1 and 5 as amended by chapter 394 of the
laws of 1979, subdivision 2 as amended by section 2 of part G of chapter
59 of the laws of 2009, subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 402 of the
laws of 1990, subdivision 7 as amended by chapter 139 of the laws of
1988, and subdivision 8 as amended by section 26 of part G of chapter 59
of the laws of 2009, are amended to read as follows:
1. Upon the transfer of ownership or the destruction of a motor vehi-
cle, motorcycle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE
or trailer, its registration shall expire; and the seller, or the owner
in case of destruction, shall remove the number plates from the vehicle.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE
MOBILITY DEVICE SHALL BE CONSIDERED A "VEHICLE" AND SUCH DECALS REQUIRED
TO BE AFFIXED TO THEM SHALL BE CONSIDERED "PLATES" EXCEPT WHEN A
PROVISION CONTAINING THE TERMS "VEHICLE" OR "PLATE" RELATES TO A DEALER.
2. Such seller or owner may, however, register another vehicle and use
said number plates thereon, if appropriate, upon making application for
such registration, paying a transfer fee of ten dollars, and paying the
proportional excess, if any, of the annual fee for registering the
second vehicle over the annual fee for registering the first vehicle for
each day or fraction thereof constituting the unexpired registration
period. If the number plates of the first vehicle are not appropriate
for the second vehicle, the commissioner or [his or her] THE COMMISSION-
ER'S agent shall, upon the surrender of such number plates, furnish
appropriate number plates.
3. Provided, however, that upon the death of an owner of a registered
motor vehicle, motorcycle, HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBIL-
ITY DEVICE or trailer, its registration shall, unless the vehicle is
destroyed, be deemed to continue in force as a valid registration until
the end of the year or until the ownership of such vehicle is trans-
A. 5446 13
ferred by the executor or administrator of the estate of such owner or
by the distributees of [his] SUCH OWNER'S personal property, whichever
occurs first. If the ownership of such vehicle is transferred as exempt
property under section 5-3.1 of the estates, powers and trusts law to
the surviving spouse of the owner, the fee for the initial registration
issued to such surviving spouse shall be the fee for such registration
reduced by the amount of the fee remaining for the unexpired term of the
registration issued to the deceased.
5. Provided, further, that a holder of manufacturers' and dealers'
registration having a motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer registered in
[his or its] SUCH HOLDER'S name under the provisions of this chapter
may, if such vehicle is placed in stock for sale, also remove the number
plates and be entitled to the same privileges as though the vehicle had
been sold or destroyed.
7. Where a dealer having registration under the provisions of section
four hundred fifteen of this chapter sells or trades a vehicle to a
person who has another vehicle duly registered under this chapter, or
who had another vehicle previously so registered, and the registration
of such vehicle is eligible for transfer to the purchased vehicle under
the provisions of this section and the number plates of the first vehi-
cle are appropriate, such dealer may issue on any date on which the
registration of a motor vehicle may be used a temporary certificate of
registration of the second vehicle under which such vehicle may be oper-
ated as a duly registered vehicle for a period of thirty days from the
date of issuance, other provisions of this chapter notwithstanding.
Such temporary certificate of registration may be extended by the
commissioner for an additional thirty days, except that in no event
shall any such temporary certificate of registration be valid after the
expiration date of the registration for the first vehicle. Such certif-
icate shall be issued upon a form furnished by the commissioner and
shall be executed in such manner as [he] THE COMMISSIONER shall
prescribe.
8. The owner of a registered motor vehicle, motorcycle, HIGH-SPEED
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE or trailer may transfer the
registration and, if appropriate, the number plates thereof to another
vehicle owned by [him or her] SUCH OWNER upon making application for
such transfer, paying a transfer fee of ten dollars, and paying the
proportionate excess, if any, of the annual fee for registering the
second vehicle over the annual fee for registering the first vehicle for
each day or fraction thereof constituting the unexpired registration
period, provided, however, that the registration and number plates for
the second vehicle, if such vehicle is registered in this state, are
either surrendered to the commissioner or transferred to another vehicle
as provided herein. If the number plates of the first vehicle are not
appropriate for the second vehicle, the commissioner or [his or her] THE
COMMISSIONER'S agent shall, upon the surrender of such number plates,
furnish appropriate number plates. Whenever a total fee for reregistra-
tion prescribed in this section shall amount to a fee other than a whole
dollar amount, the fee required to be paid shall be rounded to the near-
est twenty-five cents.
§ 21. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a
law; provided, however that the amendments to paragraph (b) of subdivi-
sion 2 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law made by section
twelve of this act shall be subject to the repeal and reversion of such
paragraph pursuant to section 4 of chapter 618 of the laws of 2021, as
amended, when upon such date the provisions of section thirteen of this
A. 5446 14
act shall take effect; provided, further, that if section 1 of chapter
477 of the laws of 2024 has not taken effect than the amendments to
paragraph (d) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic
law, made by section fourteen of this act shall take effect on the same
date and in the same manner as section 1 of chapter 477 of the laws of
2024, takes effect; and provided, further, that if section 4 of chapter
196 of the laws of 2024 has not taken effect than the amendments to
subdivision (c) of section 605 of the vehicle and traffic law made by
section seventeen of this act shall take effect on the same date and in
the same manner as section 4 of chapter 196 of the laws of 2024, takes
effect.
Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.
Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.
Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.