Laws

FEDERAL LAW:

Code of Federal Regulations:

Sec. 571.500  Standard No. 500; Low-speed vehicles.

    S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for low-speed vehicles.

    S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to ensure that low-speed vehicles 
	operated on the public streets, roads, and highways are equipped with the minimum 
	motor vehicle equipment appropriate for motor vehicle safety.

    S3. Applicability. This standard applies to low-speed vehicles.

    S4. [Reserved]

    S5. Requirements.

    	(a) When tested in accordance with test conditions in S6 and test procedures in S7, 
	the maximum speed attainable in 1.6 km (1 mile) by each low-speed vehicle shall 
	be not more than 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour.

    	(b) Each low-speed vehicle shall be equipped with:

    		(1) Headlamps,

    		(2) Front and rear turn signal lamps,

    		(3) Taillamps,

    		(4) Stop lamps,

    		(5) Reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the rear as practicable, 
		and one red on the rear,

    		(6) An exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either 
		an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or 
		an interior mirror,

    		(7) A parking brake,

                (8) A windshield that conforms to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on 
		glazing materials (49 CFR 571.205).

    		(9) A VIN that conforms to the requirements of part 565 Vehicle Identification 
		Number of this chapter, and

    		(10) A Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly conforming to Sec. 571.209 of this part, 
		Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, Seat belt assemblies, 
		installed at each designated seating position.

    S6. General test conditions. Each vehicle must meet the performance limit specified in S5(a) 
	under the following test conditions.

    	S6.1. Ambient conditions.

        	S6.1.1. Ambient temperature. The ambient temperature is any temperature between 
		0 [deg]C (32 [deg]F) and 40 [deg]C (104 [deg]F).

        	S6.1.2. Wind speed. The wind speed is not greater than 5 m/s (11.2 mph).

	S6.2. Road test surface.

    		S6.2.1. Pavement friction. Unless otherwise specified, the road test surface produces 
		a peak friction coefficient (PFC) of 0.9 when measured using a standard reference 
		test tire that meets the specifications of American Society for Testing and Materials 
		(ASTM) E1136, ``Standard Specification for A Radial Standard Reference Test Tire,'' 
		in accordance with ASTM Method E 1337-90, ``Standard Test Method for Determining 
		Longitudinal Peak Braking Coefficient of Paved Surfaces Using a Standard Reference 
		Test Tire,'' at a speed of 64.4 km/h (40.0 mph), without water delivery (incorporated 
		by reference; see 49 CFR 571.5).

    		S6.2.2. Gradient. The test surface has not more than a 1 percent gradient in the 
		direction of testing and not more than a 2 percent gradient perpendicular to the 
		direction of testing.

    		S6.2.3. Lane width. The lane width is not less than 3.5 m (11.5 ft).

 	S6.3. Vehicle conditions.

    		S6.3.1. The test weight for maximum speed is unloaded vehicle weight plus a mass 
		of 78 kg (170 pounds), including driver and instrumentation.

    		S6.3.2. No adjustment, repair or replacement of any component is allowed after 
		the start of the first performance test.

    		S6.3.3. Tire inflation pressure. Cold inflation pressure is not more than the 
		maximum permissible pressure molded on the tire sidewall.

    		S6.3.4. Break-in. The vehicle completes the manufacturer's recommended break-in 
		agenda as a minimum condition prior to beginning the performance tests.

    		S6.3.5. Vehicle openings. All vehicle openings (doors, windows, hood, trunk, 
		convertible top, cargo doors, etc.) are closed except as required for instrumentation 
		purposes.

    		S6.3.6. Battery powered vehicles. Prior to beginning the performance tests, 
		propulsion batteries are at the state of charge recommended by the manufacturer 
		or, if the manufacturer has made no recommendation, at a state of charge of not 
		less than 95 percent. No further charging of any propulsion battery is permissible.

    	S7. Test procedure. Each vehicle must meet the performance limit specified in S5(a) under the 
	following test procedure. The maximum speed performance is determined by measuring the maximum 
	attainable vehicle speed at any point in a distance of 1.6 km (1.0 mile) from a standing start 
	and repeated in the opposite direction within 30 minutes.

    [63 FR 33216, June 17, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 43972, July 25, 2003]

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