Licensing of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

The State Legislature in 2003 authorized the licensing of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) for on-road use in Washington State.  Senate Bill 5450 became effective August 1, 2003.

Definitions:  Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) are essentially four-wheeled electric vehicles with a top speed of 25 miles per hour.  

RCW 46.04 reads as follows: “Neighborhood electric vehicle” means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour and not more then twenty-five miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under Title 49 CFR Part 571.500. (see below)

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• NEVs must be properly licensed and display a vehicle license plate in compliance with RCW 46.16.
• NEVs must conform to federal regulations under Title 49 CFR Part 571.500.
• Vehicle operators must hold a valid driver’s license in compliance with RCW 46.20.
• Vehicle operators must comply with motor vehicle insurance requirements under RCW 46.30.

Specific Provisions and Restrictions:

• A licensed NEV may access roadways having a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
• NEVs may NOT operate on state highways listed in RCW 47.17.
• NEVs may not cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of 35 miles per hour, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less and occurs at an intersection of approximately 90 degrees. Except: an NEV must not cross an uncontrolled intersection of streets and highways that are state highways listed in RCW 47.17 unless that intersection has been authorized by local authorities.
• NEV operators and passengers must comply with Washington State safety belt and child restraint device requirements under RCW 46.61.688 and 46.61.687.
• Local governments have discretion to control access to particular streets within their jurisdiction, but may not prohibit NEV access to streets having a speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

Federal Regulations 49 CFR Part 571.500 Standard No. 500 Low-speed vehicles*

Each low-speed vehicle shall be equipped with:
(1)   headlamps,
(2)   front and rear turn signal lamps,
(3)   tail lamps,
(4)   stop lamps,
(5)   reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the rear as practicable, and one red on the rear,
(6)   an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or an interior mirror,
(7)   a parking brake,
(8)   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," Z-26.1-1977, January 28, 1977, as supplemented by Z26.1a, July 3, 1980 (incorporated by reference; see 49 CFR 571.5).
(9)   a VIN that conforms to the requirements of part 565 Vehicle Identification Number of this chapter, and
(10) a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly conforming to Sec. 571.209 of this part, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, Seat belt assemblies, installed at each designated seating position.

* ‘Neighborhood Electric Vehicles’ (NEVs) are a subset of the category ‘Low-Speed Vehicles’ (LSVs). NEVs are electric, whereas LSVs includes vehicles other than electric.

More information on Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), including pictures and prices of available models, is available.

< top of page >