1. Definition. “Experimental motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle in the developmental stage that has not yet reached production.

[PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers.
Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more
Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 470

A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, fiduciary, trust, estate or any other legal or commercial entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Public way: means a way, owned and maintained by the State, a county or a municipality, over which the general public has a right to pass. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Registration: means the registration certificate, plates and renewal devices pertaining to the registration of a vehicle, including temporary registered gross weight increases. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, bicycles and other conveyances either singly or together using public way for travel. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Vehicle: means a device for conveyance of persons or property on a way. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • 2. Inspection and equipment. An experimental motor vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements under section 1751 but must comply with the equipment standards of chapter 17 to include at a minimum: body components, an exhaust system, reflectors, running gear, tires, a horn, lights, directional signals, brakes, a steering mechanism, windshield wipers, safety seat belts and rearview mirrors.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    3. Experimental motor vehicle inventor registration. A person in the business of developing experimental motor vehicles shall register with the Secretary of State as an experimental motor vehicle inventor. The Secretary of State shall develop and implement an application process, including but not limited to name, address and description and photographs of the experimental motor vehicle in development.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    4. Experimental motor vehicle plate. The Secretary of State shall issue a registration plate for an experimental motor vehicle to a registered experimental motor vehicle inventor. This plate may be used for one or more experimental motor vehicles during the term of the registration provided that those vehicles are owned by the person issued the registration plate. The Secretary of State may issue no more than 2 plates per registered experimental motor vehicle inventor. The registration for an experimental motor vehicle must be renewed annually.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    5. Fee. The Secretary of State shall charge an annual fee of $20 for each plate issued under this section.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    6. Insurance. The Secretary of State may not issue an experimental motor vehicle registration plate until the applicant has procured and filed with the Secretary of State a certificate showing that the applicant is covered by an automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance policy providing coverage against any legal liability when injury, death or damage results from or has been caused by the operation of any vehicle bearing an experimental motor vehicle registration plate.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    7. Limitations on use. A person may not operate an experimental motor vehicle on a public way with a posted speed limit that exceeds the capability of that vehicle to achieve and safely maintain that speed. Experimental motor vehicles are prohibited from operation on the interstate highway system and Maine Turnpike at all times. A person may operate an experimental motor vehicle only in daylight hours.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    8. Rulemaking. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to establish the application criteria and process by which a person may qualify to receive an experimental motor vehicle registration plate. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2?A.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    9. Violations. The operation of any motor vehicle registered under this section that is not in compliance with this section is a traffic infraction.

    [PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).]

    SECTION HISTORY

    PL 2003, c. 125, §1 (NEW).