An Act To Promote Fuel Conservation by Allowing the Use of Mini-trucks Qn Public Ways
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0875
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: AYOTTE, JACKSON, BROWNE, CEBRA, EDGECOMB, MARTIN, SUTHERLAND
Amends: 29-A MRSA §102, 29-A MRSA §501, 29-A MRSA §652

. Legislative Document 
No. 875 
H.P. 
House of Representatives, March 5, 2009 
An Act To Promote Fuel Conservation by Allowing the Use of Mini-
trucks Qn Public Ways 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative AYOTTE of Caswell. 
Cosponsored by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook and 
111~ 
1/7. 7l/ac~( 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
. 
Clerk 
Representatives: BROWNE of Vassalboro, CEBRA of Naples, EDGECOMB of Caribou, JOy. 
of Crystal, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, SUTHERLAND of Chapman, THERIAULT of 
' 
Madawaska, THOMAS ofJlipley. 
Printed on recycled pnper 
Be it enacted by the People ofthe State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 29"'A MRSA §l01, sub-§33-A is enacted to read: 
33-A. Mini-truck. "Mini-truck" means a 4:..wheeled motor vehicle that: 
A. Is able to attain a speed of at least 25 miles per hour but not more than 60 riles 
per hour; 
B. Does not exceed 2,000 pounds in unloaded weight; 
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C. Is powered by a 2-cylinder, 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder gasoline engine; and 
. 
. 
D. 
Meets or exceeds the motor vehicle inspection requirements of chapter 15, 
subchapter 1. 
. 
"Mini-truck" does not inClude a low-speed vehicle. 
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §102, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 
3. Limited operation of mini-trucks; beginning October 1,2009. The registration 
and operation of mini-trucks in accordance with section 501, subsection 12 and section 
2093 are authorized beginning October 1, 2009. A municipality may prohibit the use of 
mini-trucks by municipal ordinance or restrict the use of mini-trucks in accordance with. 
section 2093, subsection 2. 
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §501, sub-§12 is enacted to read: 
12. Mini-trucks. The Secretary of State may issue a registration for a mini-truck 
upon application and payment of an annual fee of $35. The registrant must provide a 
certificate of title required by section 651, proof of [mancial responsibility required by 
section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 
1482. A mini-truck registered under this section is issued a registration plate with the 
word "mini-truck" instead of "Vacationland." The Secretary of State may issue a 
facsimile plate for a 60-day period. 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§13, as repealed and replaced by PL 1999, c. 470, 
§9, is amended to read: 
13. Certain automobiles, commercial vehicles and vehicles. Automobiles and all 
over-the-road commercial vehicles and vehicles, including mini-trucks, that are more than 
years old, except when the Secretary of State determines it is in the best interest of the 
State and the applicant to issue a title to a vehicle more than 15 years old; 
Sec. 5. 29:-A MRSA §2093 is enacted to read: 
§2093. Operation of mini-trucks 
. 33 
A person operating a mini-truck on a public way shall comply with the provisions of' 
this chapter as they apply to the operator of an automobile and with this section. 
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) 
) 
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.1. .License required. A person operating a mini-truck must possess a valid Class A, 
Crass B or Class C driver's license pursuant to section 1252. 
2. 
Distance and road restrictions. A mini-truck maybe operated only on a 
highway, road or street within 100 miles of the address at which the vehicle is registered. 
The department may prohibit the operation of a mini-truck on any highway or segment of 
highway under its jurisdiction if it detenniiies that the prohibition is necessary in the 
interest of public safety .. A municipality may prohibit the operation of a mini-truck on any 
road under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest 
of public safety. 
. 
3. Violation. A person who operates a mini-truck in violation of subsection 2 
commits a traffic infraction. 
4. Rulemaking. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of 
Transportation and the Commissioner of Public Safety, may adopt routine technical rules 
in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this section, 
monitor the registration and use of mini-trucks and provide for the safe operation ofmini-. 
trucks. 
SUMMARY 
This bill permits mini-trucks to. be ~perated on public ways, but only within 100 
'miles of the address at which the mini-truck is registered. The mini-truck, a 4-wheeled 
motor vehicle with a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour and a maximum weight of 
2,000 pounds, must be registered and meet the same inspection standards as other motor 
vehicles in order to be operated on a public way.