Haw. Code R. § 19-133.2-40.5 - Specific inspection procedures and standards for neighborhood electric vehicles

In general, neighborhood electric vehicles and other electric vehicles are inspected the same way as other vehicles; when an item is not applicable, the item on the inspection sheet is left blank. The following specific items need special attention when inspecting a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV).

(1) Intake & Fuel System: Although an electric vehicle has no intake system, it does have a fuel system of batteries, which must not leak or have excessive corrosion on the terminals. The batteries must be secure, the terminal connections tight and cell caps in place. Batteries must also be separated from occupants and be vented;

(2) Headlamps: High beams are not required for neighborhood electric vehicles. If the regular headlamps operate correctly, a check is placed in the inspection sheet " appd" box;

(3) Warning lamps: It is not a federal or state requirement for neighborhood electric vehicles to have 4-way flashers. The boxes are left blank to indicate that the item is not applicable;

(4) Window Tint: Tint inspection will usually not be made on these vehicles, because they typically have only a windshield. Light transmittance of a strip of tint above the AS-1 mark near the top of the windshield is not measured; however, tint cannot encroach the AS-1 portion. Should a later model vehicle have windows in addition to the windshield, they must comply with section 291-21.5, HRS;

(5) Windshield: A NEV may have either an AS-1 or AS-5 windshield;

(6) Windshield wipers: These are not required on NEVs;

(7) Rear View Mirrors: NEVs are required to have an exterior mirror on the driver's side and either an interior rear-view mirror in the middle or an exterior mirror on the passenger side;

(8) Door Latches: NEVs have no doors;

(9) Hood Latches: NEVs usually do not have forward opening hood or trunk lids. Some models have latches on the front " hood", which covers the motor and two batteries. Some earlier models have screws that hold this cover in place. Neither of these is forward opening. The boxes of the inspection sheet will be blank if the item is not applicable, or marked apvd or defect as appropriate;

(10) Seat belts: NEVs may use either Type 1 or Type 2 seat belts. A Type 1 seat belt assembly is a lap belt for pelvic restraint. A Type 2 seat belt is a combination of pelvic and upper torso restraints;

(11) Bumpers: NEVs are not required to have a bumper. If a NEV has a bumper, it must be inspected in accordance with section 19-133.2-35(b)(4);

(12) Speedometer and Odometer: NEVs are not required to have either, but nearly all NEVs have both a speedometer and an odometer. The ignition must be turned on to read the speedometer. The meter alternates between showing the vehicle speed and the percent of battery charge. When the ignition is turned off, the odometer will be displayed briefly. Record the odometer reading when it is available;

(13) NEVs are required by section 291C-130, HRS to have a triangular slow moving vehicle emblem displayed at the rear. The triangular emblem must be 14 inches high and 16 inches wide, mounted with the base down and at a height of not less than three nor more than five feet from the ground to base; and

(14) NEVs must have a permanently attached or painted sign that is visible to the driver stating that the vehicle must not be driven on roads with a speed limit greater than 35 mph and that the NEV may not travel faster than 25 mph.

Notes

Haw. Code R. § 19-133.2-40.5

[Eff and comp DEC 02 2005] (Auth: HRS §§ 286-16, 26, 291C-134) (Imp: HRS §§ 286-16, 26, 291C-134) [am and comp 8/13/2011; am and comp Nov 1, 2013; Eff and Comp 9/30/2018] [Comp 9/4/2021]