What federal vehicle standards are low-speed vehicles currently required to meet?
• LSVs may look similar to passenger cars, but LSVs are only required to meet three federally mandated vehicle safety standards compared to 40 for passenger vehicles such as lights, braking, bumpers, windshields, etc. • The three safety standards that an LSV must meet are: (1) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), (2) seatbelt assemblies, and (3) a specially created umbrella standard for LSVs that includes various lamps, mirrors, reflectors, parking brake and a windshield. Only the VIN, seatbelt assemblies and windshield components of the LSV requirements must meet performance standards. The other items are only required to be present and operational. • LSVs are not required to have safety features required of conventional passenger cars, such as doors, windows or airbags. They have limited occupant protection and have performed poorly on crash tests.
