# 40 C.F.R. § 85.1703 (2026): Definition of motor vehicle

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1703

## Section

- **Citation:** 40 C.F.R. § 85.1703 (2026)
- **Heading:** Definition of motor vehicle
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 40 CFR: Protection of Environment / Chapter I / Part 85 / Subpart R / § 85.1703: § 85.1703   Definition of motor vehicle.

## Text

(a) For the purpose of determining the applicability of section 216(2), a vehicle which is self-propelled and capable of transporting a person or persons or any material or any permanently or temporarily affixed apparatus shall be deemed a motor vehicle, unless any one or more of the criteria set forth below are met, in which case the vehicle shall be deemed not a motor vehicle: (1) The vehicle cannot exceed a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour over level, paved surfaces; or (2) The vehicle lacks features customarily associated with safe and practical street or highway use, such features including, but not being limited to, a reverse gear (except in the case of motorcycles), a differential, or safety features required by state and/or federal law; or (3) The vehicle exhibits features which render its use on a street or highway unsafe, impractical, or highly unlikely, such features including, but not being limited to, tracked road contact means, an inordinate size, or features ordinarily associated with military combat or tactical vehicles such as armor and/or weaponry. (b) Note that, in applying the criterion in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, vehicles that are clearly intended for operation on highways are motor vehicles. Absence of a particular safety feature is relevant only when absence of that feature would prevent operation on highways. [39 FR 32611, Sept. 10, 1974, as amended at 45 FR 13733, Mar. 3, 1980; 73 FR 59178, Oct. 8, 2008; 75 FR 22977, Apr. 30, 2010; 81 FR 73972, Oct. 25, 2016]

## Nearby sections

- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1701 (2026) § 85.1701   General applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1701.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1702 (2026) § 85.1702   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1702.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1703 (2026) § 85.1703   Definition of motor vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1703.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1704 (2026) § 85.1704   Who may request an exemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1704.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1705 (2026) § 85.1705   Testing exemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1705.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1706 (2026) § 85.1706   Pre-certification exemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1706.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1707 (2026) § 85.1707   Display exemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1707.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1708 (2026) § 85.1708   National security exemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1708.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1709 (2026) § 85.1709   Export exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1709.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1710 (2026) § 85.1710   Granting of exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1710.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1711 (2026) § 85.1711   Submission of exemption requests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1711.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1715 (2026) § 85.1715   Aircraft meeting the definition of motor vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1715.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 85.1716 (2026) § 85.1716   Approval of an emergency vehicle field modification (EVFM).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1716.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P85_S85_1703. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.