Autocycle???

[Raprider]

I was in a group ride last weekend and there was another rider on his 2017 F3 Ltd.
I noticed his license plate was labeled "AUTOCYCLE", while mine (obtained in January of this year) is labeled "MOTORCYCLE".
I asked and he said it was a new New Jersey designation for all 3-wheelers.
Upon further research via NJMVC, I find...

<<<<
A new motor vehicle type has been defined pursuant to P.L.2016, Chapter 35, designating certain three-wheeled motor vehicles as autocycles.
>>>>

I dig a little further and find...
<<<<
Autocycles must have seat belts for the operator and passenger. Children who are required to be in child restraint systems are not permitted as passengers.
>>>>

And further...
<<<<
Prior to mid - 2017, autocycles were issued a motorcycle license plate. Upon renewal they will be issued an autocycle plate. If you registered an autocycle prior to mid - 2017, you will be required, upon renewal, to surrender your motorcycle plate at an MVC agency to obtain your new autocycle plate.
>>>>

And further still...
<<<<
What is the difference between an autocycle and a trike?
The main difference is that an autocycle has a steering wheel and a trike has handle bars. Another difference is that, in an autocycle the driver and passenger sit side by side, unlike a trike.
>>>>

All above info via the NJMVC site and faq's from the site, not general web searches.
So...it seems to me this mainly applies to vehicles such as the Slingshot, Elio and T-Rex (which will soon be selling an Electric version for, get this...$66,000!!!)
Any others states have a specific designation like this?

[prisondude]

wow how weird can ams dont have seatbelts

[2Paw]

I think maybe you should take this info and pictures to your MVC/DMV or whatever and see if you can get this clarified. I think some clerk must have screwed up with the other guys registration, or maybe a dealer could clear it up for you.

[ofdave]

there is an autocycle on our clothes dryer-is that the same?

[Bob Denman]

I just call mine "fun", and couldn't care less what any governmental agency chooses to...

[Chupaca]

I think it is all over the US that the autocycle are all the three wheeled cars. You know seated with a seatbelt and a steering wheel not straddling a seat with handlebars. Someone did mess up on that one...

[DGoebel]

Autocycle.... Think Polaris Slingshot or Morgan 3 wheelers, the ones with a Steering Wheel and side by side seating and ... seat belts, but the F3 should still have been motorcycle tags (handlebars, inline seating, no belts) .....

[Bob Denman]

[Raprider]

Agreed...and I'm not sayin' nuthin' to those MVC folks...let the other guy put a seatbelt on his F3

[RinconRyder]

I was in a group ride last weekend and there was another rider on his 2017 F3 Ltd.
I noticed his license plate was labeled "AUTOCYCLE", while mine (obtained in January of this year) is labeled "MOTORCYCLE".
I asked and he said it was a new New Jersey designation for all 3-wheelers.
Upon further research via NJMVC, I find...

New Joisey seems to be a bit off kilter compared to other states which have created a new class of vehicle.

Originally, an "autocycle" was a three-wheeled vehicle with a steering wheel and other controls like a car (clutch if so equipped, foot brake) in which the driver sat IN rather than ON and had seat belts. With this definition, clearly the Spyder does not fit autocycle.

Most states having the autocycle designation also did not require the driver to wear head protection nor did they have to have a special motorcycle license.

[RinconRyder]

wow how weird can ams dont have seatbelts

Spyders don't have seat belts but other Can Am products do.

You would not want a seat belt on a Spyder for the same reason you would not want them on a motorcycle. If that sucker turns over you want to get off it and not ride it to disaster.

[ruralgirl]

I agree that someone screwed up on your license plate. Around here, people frequently confuse Spyders with Sling Shots. By that I mean, when discussing what I ride when they haven't seen it, they knowingly smile, pleased that they're talking my vernacular, then chat about Sling Shots until I correct them. When I renewed my registration at the SOS office a few weeks ago, I had to correct the gal behind the counter.

[oldguyinTX]

In CT, Spyders are registered as motorcycles, as you sit astride the seat. Slingshots are registered as "Autocars" as you sit in the seat.

[Docster]

I was in a group ride last weekend and there was another rider on his 2017 F3 Ltd.
I noticed his license plate was labeled "AUTOCYCLE", while mine (obtained in January of this year) is labeled "MOTORCYCLE".
I asked and he said it was a new New Jersey designation for all 3-wheelers.
Upon further research via NJMVC, I find...

<<<<
A new motor vehicle type has been defined pursuant to P.L.2016, Chapter 35, designating certain three-wheeled motor vehicles as autocycles.
>>>>

I dig a little further and find...
<<<<
Autocycles must have seat belts for the operator and passenger. Children who are required to be in child restraint systems are not permitted as passengers.
>>>>

And further...
<<<<
Prior to mid - 2017, autocycles were issued a motorcycle license plate. Upon renewal they will be issued an autocycle plate. If you registered an autocycle prior to mid - 2017, you will be required, upon renewal, to surrender your motorcycle plate at an MVC agency to obtain your new autocycle plate.
>>>>

And further still...
<<<<
What is the difference between an autocycle and a trike?
The main difference is that an autocycle has a steering wheel and a trike has handle bars. Another difference is that, in an autocycle the driver and passenger sit side by side, unlike a trike.
>>>>

All above info via the NJMVC site and faq's from the site, not general web searches.
So...it seems to me this mainly applies to vehicles such as the Slingshot, Elio and T-Rex (which will soon be selling an Electric version for, get this...$66,000!!!)
Any others states have a specific designation like this?

Maryland does and requires helmets as well. After all, the Slingshot is a 3-wheeled, 2-passenger hybrid car/cycle IMHO.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

Elio doesn't require seatbelts it requires production

[Motorcycledave]

BINGO !!!!!!
I paid my deposit 4 years ago and still waiting....... I contacted them and said I would love to
have mine sometime before I'm DEAD.....

Elio doesn't require seatbelts it requires production