Massachusetts Registration

[grk]

Massachusetts has concluded tha Brammo is a motor vehicle manufacturer and as such the vehicle must conform to the National Highway Safety Transportation Board's (NHSTA) National Motor Safety Standards. Airbags,bumpers...Even if I got the owner installed drivetrain this would still be their conclusion. The owners manual (which was online and the RMV read) statement "for off road use only " certainly didn't help.

Unless the state is advised by the NHSTA that the Brammo and the Atom does not fall under federal regulations they will not allow it to be registered under Massachusetts kit car regulations. Massachusetts wants the cover of the federal governments blessing if I kill myself or someone else so they are not liable. I'm not holding my breath that the feds will repond at all.

Massachusetts RMV's point on a motorcycle is that it is approved by NHSTA so even though it is more dangerous it is not their call that it is on the road.

[bolus]

too bad,  sounds pretty typical though.  Decisions based on lack of information.  Who ever sued the state after a car accident??

[slowcharles]

From my experience you shouldn't worry about any DMV pronouncements or decisions. DMVs in most states are so messed up that you could probably register a rocket powered monocycle

[grk]

I had a meeting with the head of the RMV and their legal counsel arranged by my state representative after the initial inspection officer denied registration. RMV counsel wrote a four page legal opinion which they also rejected registration. The head of the registry also wrote to NHSTA to confirm the Massachusetts legal opinion. The basis of the RMV's argument is that that they do not consider the Atom to be a kit car based upon previous written decisions by NHSTA on similar vehicles. They also believe Brammo is a manufacturer, as such , Brammo must conform to all applicabe safety standads deemed nessary by the NHSTA. (airbags, bumpers...)The NHSTA has not responded. (I doubt they will). In conclusion, the Atom will not fly under the radar in Massachusetts.

[slowcharles]

[quote="grk"]
I had a meeting with the head of the RMV and their legal council arranged by my state rep after the initial officers denied registration. They wrote a four page legal opinion which they rejected registration. They also wrote to NHSTA to confirm the Massachusetts decision to deny registration. The basis of their argument is that that they do not consider the Atom to be a kit car based upon previous written decisions by NHSTA on similar vehicles . The NHSTA has not responded. (I doubt they will). The Atom will not fly under the radar in Massachusetts.
[/quote]

ok-if you say so.