Definitions. In this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply: (a) “Bicycle” means any motorless contrivance operated with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and propelled by human power. (b) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles established by this title. (c) “Chauffeur” means a person who is employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle on the highways for compensation. (d) “Chief” means the Chief of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles established by this title. (e) “Commercial vehicle” means a vehicle of a type required to be registered by this title, used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation or profit, or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. (f) A “Crosswalk” means: (1) That portion of a highway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting highways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of any such lines from an alley; or (2) Any portion of a highway distinctly indicated for use as a pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. (g) “Dealer” means a person engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered by this title who has an established place of business for that purpose in the Commonwealth. (h) “Department” means the Department of Public Safety. (i) “Director” means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, except where otherwise delineated in the Title. (j) “Emergency brake” means any braking gear or mechanism for applying braking effort to at least two wheels of a vehicle, normally operated by the operator’s hand. If any vehicle has two brakes, both designed to be operated by the foot, a brake with a ratchet or other device for holding the brake in the applied position shall be construed as an emergency brake. (k) “Established place of business” means a place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a dealer, or where the dealer’s books and records are kept, or where a substantial part of a business is transacted. (l) “Explosive” means any chemical, compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion sufficient to produce destructive effects upon persons or property. (m) “Garage” means a building or other place in which the business of storing or safekeeping of vehicles belonging to members of the public is conducted. (n) “Headlight” means a complete road illuminating device located upon the front of a vehicle, the rays of which are projected forward, other than a sidelight, auxiliary driving light, searching or spot light.
(o) “Heavy equipment vehicle” means any motor vehicle weighing over a gross weight of 2.5 tons and manufactured with an open area separate from the driver’s compartment and designed primarily for the transportation of property. (p) “Highway” means a way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic, including ways or places that are privately owned or maintained. (q) “Intersection” means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then of the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways which join one another at approximately right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may intersect. (r) “Moped” means a motor-driven vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, with or without pedals to permit propulsion by human power, and with a motor or engine size of less than 50 cubic centimeters. (s) “Motor bus” means a motor vehicle operated for the carriage of passengers for hire or a school bus which is designed to carry more than eight passengers. (t) “Motor carrier” means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle: (1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds; (2) The vehicle is designed to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver; or (3) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act [49 U.S.C. Appx. §§ 1801 et seq.] which require motor vehicles to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F). (u) “Motorcycle” means a motor vehicle, other than a bicycle, moped, motor scooter, or tractor, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground with an engine size greater than 250 cubic centimeters. (v) “Motor scooter” means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, with an engine size greater than 50 cubic centimeters but less than 250 cubic centimeters, and with a step-through frame. (w) “Motor truck” means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. (x) “Motor vehicle” means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways, but does not include a vehicle operated only on a rail line.[footnote 2] (y) “Pickup truck” means any motor vehicle weighing under a gross weight of 2.5 tons and manufactured with an open area separate from the driver’s compartment and designed primarily for the transportation of property. [footnote 2]
49 U.S.C. § 30102(a)(7).
Source: PL 3-61, § 1 (§ 102); amended by PL 6-20, § 4; PL 7-29, § 2; PL 1011 § 3, modified; (i) amended by PL 15-25, § 4(a); (r) repealed and reenacted, (u) amended, new (v) created, and prior (v)-(x) renumbered to (w)-(y), respectively, by PL 15-29, § 3; amended by PL 22-26, § 3 (Jan. 6, 2023), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission originally modified this section by placing defined terms in alphabetical order and redesignating some subsection signals. With respect to the reference to the “Director of the Department of Public Safety” and to the agency itself, see Executive Order 94-3 (effective Aug. 23, 1994), reorganizing the executive branch, changing agency names and official titles, and effecting other changes, set forth in the Commission comment to 1 CMC § 2001. PL 15-25 was enacted on August 25, 2006, and did not include any findings or intent provisions but did contain a title section (“The Mandatory Driver Education Act of 2006”) and other amendments, in addition to severability and savings clauses. PL 15-29 took effect on September 26, 2006, and contained the following title, findings, and global amendment sections, in addition to other amendments and severability and savings clauses. Section 1. Title. This Act may be cited as the “Motor Scooter Act of 2006.” Section 2. Findings. The Legislature finds that motor scooters have become a popular mode of transportation for residents and tourists in the Commonwealth. The Legislature further finds that motor scooter businesses have flourished in the past few years as well. However, the Legislature finds that traffic accidents involving motor scooters have also increased due to the increased use of motor scooters on public highways. Furthermore, there was at least one reported traffic fatality involving a motor scooter the past year. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Legislature finds that motor scooters must be better regulated to protect the health and welfare of CNMI residents as well as tourists visiting the Commonwealth. The purpose of this legislation is to classify motor scooters in a distinct category from mopeds and motorcycles, to make applicable to motor scooters certain rights and duties applicable to other motor vehicles, and to require certain safety equipment on motor scooters and mopeds operated in the Commonwealth. … Section 9. Global Amendment. The term “motor vehicle” shall be amended and construed to include “motor scooter” throughout Title 9 of the Commonwealth Code. Legislative Findings of 2023 Amendment.— For Findings and Purpose of PL 22-26, see Commission comment to 9 CMC § 2101.