Hawaii Administrative Rules › Title 19 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 5 - MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OFFICE › Chapter 133.2 - PERIODIC INSPECTION OF VEHICLES › Subchapter 3 - GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTION › Section 19-133.2-40.5 - Specific inspection procedures and standards for neighborhood electric vehicles

Current through June, 2024
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.