Polaris Slingshot Now Legal in Texas

Residents of the Lone Star State can finally purchase the Polaris Slingshot after Texas passed a new law allowing three-wheeled “autocycles” to be registered in the state.

“Slingshot is an entirely new driving and riding experience designed for one purpose – exhilaration,” says Craig Scanlon, Polaris vice president of Slingshot. “We understand how much excitement was built among Texas residents when the Slingshot first came out. After a long wait, we’re excited to get Slingshot riders on the road in Texas and we encourage them to experience this one-of-a-kind roadster for themselves.”

Back in November, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles refused to register Slingshots because they fell into the no-man’s land between motorcycles and cars. The DMV did not consider the Slingshot to be a motorcycle because it had seats instead of a saddle, nor did it consider it a car because it lacked the features of an automobile including a fourth wheel.

State legislators went to work, introducing two separate bills, HB439 and SB449, intended to correct the issue. Earlier this month, the House voted 142-0 (with two members not voting and another six not present) in favor of SB449. Governor Greg Abbott signed SB449 on May 22, officially legalizing three-wheelers like the Slingshot.

Discuss this at our Polaris Slingshot Forum.

SB449 defined vehicles with seats, a steering wheel and propelled by “not more than three wheels” as “autocycles”. The bill also allowed autocycles to be registered as motorcycles and operated by those holding a Class M license. That also means motorcycle helmet laws apply for the Slingshot which, in Texas, means all riders under the age of 21 or those who haven’t completed an approved safety course or additional insurance coverage must wear the proper headgear.

Polaris Slingshots are now available at dealerships in Texas in all three trims, the base model, Slingshot SL and Slingshot SL LE.

[Source: Polaris, Texas Legislature]