§299.2. Off-road vehicles; mini-trucks

A. A mini-truck may be operated upon a highway of this state where the posted speed limit is fifty-five miles per hour or less except an interstate or controlled access highway or a multi-lane divided highway which has partial or no control of access.

B. Subject to Subsection A of this Section, a mini-truck operated upon a highway of this state shall be equipped with head lamps, front and rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, 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, a parking brake, a windshield wiper, speedometer, odometer, braking for each wheel, a seat belt assembly installed at each designated seating position, and a vehicle identification number.

C. Any mini-truck operated upon a highway of this state shall register as an off-road vehicle and shall display a decal issued by the office of motor vehicles. The office of motor vehicles may require presentation of a notarized translation of a mini-truck title presented in a foreign language, if necessary. The translation shall be provided at the expense of the applicant.

D. No mini-truck shall be operated upon a highway of this state by an unlicensed driver.

E. Any mini-truck operated upon a highway of this state shall have liability insurance with the same minimum limits as required by the provisions of R.S. 32:900(B).

F. As used in this Section, "mini-truck" shall mean any four-wheeled, reduced dimension truck that may not have a National Highway Safety Administration classification, with a top speed of sixty-five miles per hour, equipped with a truck bed or compartment for hauling, and having an enclosed passenger cab.

G. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, subject to oversight by the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works, as necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

H.(1) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the Department of Transportation and Development from prohibiting the operation of any mini-truck upon any state highway under its jurisdiction if the department determines that such prohibition is necessary for the safety of the motoring public.

(2) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to prohibit parish or municipal governments from prohibiting the operation of any mini-truck upon any parish or municipal road or highway under its jurisdiction if such parish or municipal government determines that such prohibition is necessary for the safety of the motoring public.

Acts 2010, No. 563, §1; Acts 2010, No. 761, §1.