The Slingshot is Legal!
Great news for you 3-wheeler fans. On Friday May 22nd, Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas signed in to law SB 449. This bill created a new classification for 3 wheeled vehicles (i.e. the Slingshot) called an Autocycle. As the bill was passed with no dissenting votes, it takes effect immediately.
Our initial reading of the bill leads us to believe that Slingshot operators will only need to have a standard automotive license (and not a class M/Motorcycle license). We are not sure if a helmet will be required to operate an Autocycle.
Woods Cycle Country will begin scheduling demo rides in our Slingshot on Wednesday, May 27th. If you would like to schedule a demonstration ride then click here.
Currently all 3 Slingshot models are available by special order only. Current wait times are approximately 3 months from the time you place a down payment until your new ride will be ready for pickup.
Text of SB 449
| S.B. No. 449 | ||
| relating to the titling, registration, and operation of an | ||
| autocycle. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 501.008 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 501.008. TITLE FOR 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. | ||
| (b) For purposes of issuing a title under this chapter, an | ||
| autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle. | ||
| SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 502.004 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 502.004. 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. | ||
| (b) For purposes of registering a vehicle under this | ||
| chapter, an autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle. | ||
| SECTION 3. Section 521.084, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
| to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 521.084. CLASS M LICENSE. A Class M driver’s license | ||
| authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motorcycle or | ||
| moped as defined by Section 541.201. | ||
| SECTION 4. Section 521.085(b), Transportation Code, is | ||
| amended to read as follows: | ||
| (b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a license holder from | ||
| operating a lesser type of vehicle that is a motorcycle described by | ||
| Section 521.001(a)(6-a) or an autocycle as defined by Section | ||
| 501.008. | ||
| SECTION 5. Section 545.416, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
| by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: | ||
| (f) For purposes of Subsections (c) and (d), an autocycle as | ||
| defined by Section 501.008 is considered to be a motorcycle. | ||
| SECTION 6. Section 547.617, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
| to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 547.617. MOTORCYCLE FOOTRESTS AND HANDHOLDS REQUIRED. | ||
| (a) A motorcycle that is designed to carry more than one person | ||
| must be equipped with footrests and handholds for use by the | ||
| passenger. | ||
| (b) This section does not apply to an autocycle as defined | ||
| by Section 501.008 or a motorcycle as defined by Section | ||
| 521.001(a)(6-a). | ||
| SECTION 7. Chapter 661, Transportation Code, is amended by | ||
| adding Section 661.0015 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 661.0015. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR FOR 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. | ||
| (b) For purposes of this chapter, an autocycle is considered | ||
| to be a motorcycle. | ||
| SECTION 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
| a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
| provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
| Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
| Act takes effect September 1, 2015. | ||
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#Slingshot
What is the waiting period for the persons putting down a deposit? I placed $1,000 down back on August 2014 and I believe am the 6th one in line. Does Polaris already have these Slingshots on ordered ready to be shipped out?
Mr. Rigal.
The legislation was only enacted last night after Polaris had already shut down for the Memorial day weekend. We have been told that we should have some more information concerning our shipments later next week. The order for your Slingshot was placed with Polaris when you gave us your down payment, so we believe that you will get some priority on your shipments. If your salesperson should be able to provide you some more information near the end of next week. We will do all that we can to get you on the road as quickly as we can.
Thanks and have a nice Memorial day weekend.