Circa Vans
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Does a 600cc go kart need reverse to pass inspection and be street legal? Im in NC so it should be the same as the 48 us continental states... not sure about Cali tho. Thanks for taking a look at this post 
1 small question :D
- Thread starter Circa Vans
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. I'm sure the DMV has their laws and regulations up on their website, and if not, you could always go to your local DMV and ask.
ryf
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well.... reverse cant be a state DOT spec (motorcycles would require it), in ohio they dont care what it is as long as you can prove its not stolen. they specifically told me they dont check safety or quality, just verify its not built/rebadged stolen vehicle.
ryf
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quoted from a homebuilt DIY plan selling place I keep on file lol
"Passenger Car Equipment Requirements
Equipment requirements normally concern items such as the correct braking, lighting, window glazing materials, safety equipment, rear view mirrors, defrosters, wipers, and other similar items. Emission controls are also an important consideration in meeting state-level equipment requirements.
Passenger cars must be equipped with hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. Braking system regulations normally require a separate parking brake, independent of the hydraulic braking system, that operates on either the two front or the two rear wheels. The hydraulic braking system must be equipped with a stop light that is activated either by a hydraulic pressure switch or by a mechanical switch on the brake pedal assembly. In most states, the hydraulic braking system must be the type having a dual-chamber master cylinder with two independent brake fluid reservoirs and independent front and rear hydraulic systems. Most states require two tail light fixtures, equipped with running lights and stop lights, but some states still require only a single tail light/stop light fixture.
A system for defogging the windshield (defroster) will likely be required. Requirements for bumpers and fenders vary between states, but fenders and vehicle-width bumpers are required equipment in most states. Some states, however, exempt vehicles of less than a specified weight. Seats belts are another item that may be necessary in order to obtain a license. Side marker lights may or may not be required in your state.
In some instances, vehicle regulations could place limitations on particular customization ideas that you may have in mind. In all states, for example, headlights must be located so the center of the lens is no closer than 24 inches above the ground. In the case of retractable headlights, the center of the lens must be at least 24 inches above the ground when the headlights are extended for night driving. If a special design treatment were to result in headlights that are too close to the ground, your finished vehicle may require extensive modification in order to receive a license. Many states permit acrylic window glazing for side and rear windows, but others require glass safety plate for all window glazing. Laminated safety plate is universally required for windshield glazing, and either tempered safety plate or acrylic glazing will be allowed for side and rear windows, depending on the state in which the vehicle is licensed.
Although homebuilt vehicles are not regulated on a federal level, the vehicle code of many states includes language requiring that all vehicles are equipped according to the federal regulations in effect when the vehicle was built. If you are in one of these state, a vehicle based on an existing automobile chassis will have to be equipped according to the federal regulations in effect when the chassis was built. An entirely scratch built vehicle would have to comply with regulations in effect in the year in which the vehicle is finished.
Three Wheel Vehicles
On a federal level, three wheel cars do not exist in the U.S. If a light duty vehicle operates with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, it is classified as a motorcycle. Manufacturers of three-wheelers must therefore equip their vehicles according to motorcycle regulations, and they do not have to meet the safety and emissions standards that apply to passenger cars. Homebuilt three-wheelers are regulated on a state level and must comply with state-level motor vehicle regulations. But state vehicle code normally does not contradict federal regulations.
In brief, three wheelers can use acrylic window glazing (or none at all), they need only a single headlight and tail light module, they are not required to be equipped with wipers, defrosters, vehicle-width bumpers, fenders, seat belts, turn signals, and parking brakes. Motorcycle emissions standards are also less stringent, or not controlled at all. Recent changes have allowed an emissions exemption - a once in a lifetime exemption - for a homebuilt motorcycle. Recently, California had no emissions regulations for diesel-powered motorcycles. Some of the foregoing may not apply equally in all states.
In most cases, vehicle regulations tend to favor the hobbyist. Motor vehicle regulations are not intended to discourage experimentation or pleasure-fabrication by hobbyists. It is generally assumed that hobbyists do not have a significant impact on highway safety or emissions. Before beginning construction of a three wheel vehicle, visit the agency responsible for inspecting and licensing vehicles in your state and pick up a copy of the pamphlet containing equipment requirements for specially constructed three wheelers. The procedure for obtaining a new title should be the same as for four wheel vehicles. "
"Passenger Car Equipment Requirements
Equipment requirements normally concern items such as the correct braking, lighting, window glazing materials, safety equipment, rear view mirrors, defrosters, wipers, and other similar items. Emission controls are also an important consideration in meeting state-level equipment requirements.
Passenger cars must be equipped with hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. Braking system regulations normally require a separate parking brake, independent of the hydraulic braking system, that operates on either the two front or the two rear wheels. The hydraulic braking system must be equipped with a stop light that is activated either by a hydraulic pressure switch or by a mechanical switch on the brake pedal assembly. In most states, the hydraulic braking system must be the type having a dual-chamber master cylinder with two independent brake fluid reservoirs and independent front and rear hydraulic systems. Most states require two tail light fixtures, equipped with running lights and stop lights, but some states still require only a single tail light/stop light fixture.
A system for defogging the windshield (defroster) will likely be required. Requirements for bumpers and fenders vary between states, but fenders and vehicle-width bumpers are required equipment in most states. Some states, however, exempt vehicles of less than a specified weight. Seats belts are another item that may be necessary in order to obtain a license. Side marker lights may or may not be required in your state.
In some instances, vehicle regulations could place limitations on particular customization ideas that you may have in mind. In all states, for example, headlights must be located so the center of the lens is no closer than 24 inches above the ground. In the case of retractable headlights, the center of the lens must be at least 24 inches above the ground when the headlights are extended for night driving. If a special design treatment were to result in headlights that are too close to the ground, your finished vehicle may require extensive modification in order to receive a license. Many states permit acrylic window glazing for side and rear windows, but others require glass safety plate for all window glazing. Laminated safety plate is universally required for windshield glazing, and either tempered safety plate or acrylic glazing will be allowed for side and rear windows, depending on the state in which the vehicle is licensed.
Although homebuilt vehicles are not regulated on a federal level, the vehicle code of many states includes language requiring that all vehicles are equipped according to the federal regulations in effect when the vehicle was built. If you are in one of these state, a vehicle based on an existing automobile chassis will have to be equipped according to the federal regulations in effect when the chassis was built. An entirely scratch built vehicle would have to comply with regulations in effect in the year in which the vehicle is finished.
Three Wheel Vehicles
On a federal level, three wheel cars do not exist in the U.S. If a light duty vehicle operates with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, it is classified as a motorcycle. Manufacturers of three-wheelers must therefore equip their vehicles according to motorcycle regulations, and they do not have to meet the safety and emissions standards that apply to passenger cars. Homebuilt three-wheelers are regulated on a state level and must comply with state-level motor vehicle regulations. But state vehicle code normally does not contradict federal regulations.
In brief, three wheelers can use acrylic window glazing (or none at all), they need only a single headlight and tail light module, they are not required to be equipped with wipers, defrosters, vehicle-width bumpers, fenders, seat belts, turn signals, and parking brakes. Motorcycle emissions standards are also less stringent, or not controlled at all. Recent changes have allowed an emissions exemption - a once in a lifetime exemption - for a homebuilt motorcycle. Recently, California had no emissions regulations for diesel-powered motorcycles. Some of the foregoing may not apply equally in all states.
In most cases, vehicle regulations tend to favor the hobbyist. Motor vehicle regulations are not intended to discourage experimentation or pleasure-fabrication by hobbyists. It is generally assumed that hobbyists do not have a significant impact on highway safety or emissions. Before beginning construction of a three wheel vehicle, visit the agency responsible for inspecting and licensing vehicles in your state and pick up a copy of the pamphlet containing equipment requirements for specially constructed three wheelers. The procedure for obtaining a new title should be the same as for four wheel vehicles. "
Doc Sprocket
*********
'Round here, reverse is not a safety standards requirement. Frankly, neither is an engine. Bottom line, contact your state motor vehicles department and find out what you need. I suspect that reverse will be the least of the problems.
Circa Vans
New member
Thanks for everyones input!! calling the NCDMV is the 1st place i should have called lol. I found a website called DIY Go Kart Plans which has plans for the same thing which im tryin to build except with a different engine and isnt street legal. Just wanted to know if anyone has visited it, seen the plans or can vouch for them since it costs money for the plans. http://www.buildasupergokart.com
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