County Council Member

District #6

San Juan County, WA

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle - Defined: A self-propelled, electronically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour, and not more than twenty-five miles per hour, and conforms to federal regulations under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Is an NEV the same thing as a golf cart?

No. Although Neighborhood Electric Vehicles closely resemble golf carts, they are not the same.
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Can golf carts be licensed under this new law?

No. Golf carts do not meet federal safety and equipment standards. Federal regulation Title 49 requires the vehicle be equipped with: headlamps, front and rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the back as practical and one red one on the back, an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle or an interior mirror, a parking brake, a windshield of AS-1 or AS-5 composition, that conforms to the American National Standard Institute's "Safety Code for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles operating on Land Highways". They must also be equipped with seat belts for each passenger.

NOTE: Golf carts with after-market modifications do not qualify for licensing as NEV's. To be licensed as a NEV, the vehicle must have been manufactured as such. The Washington State Patrol will not inspect golf carts for the purpose of qualifying them as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.
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Who can operate NEVs?

Basic requirements for driving NEV's are the same as for driving cars. They can only be operated by a licensed driver and must be insured.
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Are there any restrictions as to where I can use my NEV?

Yes. Licensed NEV's can be driven on roads in Washington with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less. NEV's cannot cross any road with a speed greater than 35 MPH unless that crossing begins and ends on a road with a speed of 35 MPH or less, AND occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees.

NEV's must not cross uncontrolled intersections of streets and highways that are part of the state highway system unless authorized by local authorities as provided for in law.

Link to Chrysler's GemCar: www.gemcar.com

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For questions and comments about county business:
bobm@co.san-juan.wa.us

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