An Act To Allow the Use of Mini-trucks on Public Ways
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1071
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: AYOTTE, CHIPMAN, JACKSON, CLARK, EDGECOMB, HAMPER, MARTIN, THERIAULT, SHERMAN, THIBODEAU, THOMAS
Amends: 29-A MRSA §101, 29-A MRSA §102, 29-A MRSA §501, 29-A MRSA §652, 29-A MRSA §2093

Legislative Document 
No. 1071 
H.P. 806 
House of Representatives, March 15, 2011 
An Act To Allow the Use of Mini-trucks on Public Ways 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative AYOTTE of Caswell. 
Cosponsored by Representative CHIPMAN of Portland, Senator JACKSON of Aroostook and 
Representatives: CLARK of Easton, EDGECOMB of Caribou, HAMPER of Oxford, 
MARTIN of Eagle Lake, THERIAULT of Madawaska, Senators: SHERMAN of Aroostook, 
THIBODEAU of Waldo, THOMAS of Somerset. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §101, 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 miles 
per hour; 
B.  Does not exceed 2,000 pounds in unloaded weight; 
C.  Is powered by a 2-cylinder, 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder gasoline or electric 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, 2011.  The registration 
and operation of mini-trucks in accordance with section 501, subsection 13 and section 
2093 are authorized beginning October 1, 2011. 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-§13 is enacted to read: 
13.  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 financial 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 amended by PL 2009, c. 435, §10, is 
further amended to read: 
13.  Certain automobiles, commercial vehicles and vehicles.  Automobiles and all 
over-the-road commercial vehicles and mini-trucks with a model year prior to 1995, 
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 with a model year prior to 1995; 
Sec. 5.  29-A MRSA §2093 is enacted to read: 
§2093.  Operation of mini-trucks 
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. 
1.  License required.  A person operating a mini-truck must possess a valid Class A, 
Class B or Class C driver's license pursuant to section 1252. 
2.  Distance and road restrictions.  A mini-truck may be 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 determines 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 of 
mini-trucks. 
SUMMARY 
This bill permits mini-trucks to be operated 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.