§ 13-2-335. ELECTRIC LOW-SPEED VEHICLE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT MINIMUM STANDARDS.

(A)

An electric low-speed vehicle must be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(B)

The frame of an electric low-speed vehicle must be constructed of iron, steel, or aluminum alloy extrusions.

(C)

All seats of the electric low-speed vehicle must be forward facing.

(D)

An electric low-speed vehicle is limited to a maximum passenger capacity equal to the number of approved seatbelts installed in the vehicle, not to exceed a maximum of 6, excluding the driver.

(E)

An electric low-speed vehicle must be painted in the same color scheme and with the same markings as other electric low-speed vehicles in the holder's fleet and must be easily distinguishable from the color and marking scheme of other ground transportation services in the city.

(F)

Radio scanners are prohibited within an electric low-speed vehicle.

(G)

An electric low-speed vehicle must be equipped with the following equipment, or equipment that the department determines is equivalent:

(1)

hinged doors that are solid molded plastic or metal, with latches;

(2)

U. S. Department of Transportation approved 3-point shoulder harness seatbelts for the driver and each passenger;

(3)

rack and pinion steering;

(4)

four U.S. Department of Transportation approved street tires of 10 inch minimum diameter;

(5)

a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved windshield, made of scratch-resistant acrylic or AS-1 safety glass;

(6)

motorized windshield wipers;

(7)

a horn;

(8)

driver's side, passenger side, and inside rearview mirrors;

(9)

front disc and rear drum brakes, or four wheel disc brakes, which must be able to stop the electric low-speed vehicle within 10 feet at speeds up to 25 miles per hour;

(10)

a separate emergency brake pedal/ handle system capable of keeping the electric low-speed vehicle in a fixed position on both an incline and level terrain;

(11)

a volt or amp meter, turn signal indicator, headlight switch, and horn button, each of which must be fixed to the dash;

(12)

a slow-moving vehicle emblem compliant with Section 547.104 of the Texas Transportation Code, which must be mounted on the rear of the vehicle in a manner approved by the department;

(13)

two-way communication equipment, while providing service; and

(14)

the following equipment:

(a)

two headlights;

(b)

two front turn signals;

(c)

two reflectorized rear turn signals;

(d)

two reflectorized brake lights;

(e)

two reverse lights; and

(f)

unobstructed four-way hazard lights.

(H)

An electric low-speed vehicle must display the following:

(1)

a company name, telephone number, and individual unit number, with clear and legible lettering displayed in characters at least 2½ inches in height and at least 5/16 of an inch in stroke width, with colors contrasting the color of the electric low-speed vehicle; and

(2)

a permit decal, a valid annual city inspection decal, a rate card, a complaint notice decal, and a sign limiting the passenger capacity to 4 passengers.

(I)

An electric low-speed vehicle is not subject to the requirements in Subsections (D) and (F) of Section 13-2-142 ( Inspection Standards ).

Source: Ord. 20111020-053; Ord. 20120927-074; Ord. No. 20141106-054, Pt. 11, 11-17-14 .