To Develop and Implement a Universal Definition and the Classification of a "Motor Vehicle" Differentiated From a "Vehicle" as it Pertains to Motor Vehicle Theft

Submitted by: Vehicle Crimes Committee

VCC.017.t2017

WHEREAS, For the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Incident-Based Reporting System (Ni-BRS), as defined by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, a motor vehicle is a self-propelled vehicle that runs on the surface of land and not on rails and that fits one of the following descriptions: (1) Automobiles—sedans, coupes, station wagons, convertibles, taxicabs, or other similar motor vehicles serving the primary purpose of transporting people; and

WHEREAS, this classification also includes automobiles used as taxis; sport-utility vehicles, and automobile derivative vehicles; and

WHEREAS, (2) Buses—motor vehicles specifically designed (but not necessarily used) to transport groups of people on a commercial basis; and

WHEREAS, (3) Recreational Vehicles—motor vehicles specifically designed (but not necessarily used) to transport people and provide temporary lodging for recreational purposes; and

WHEREAS, (4) Trucks—motor vehicles specifically designed (but not necessarily used) to transport cargo on a commercial basis; and

WHEREAS, (5) Pickup trucks and pickup trucks with campers, as they meet the definition specifically designed, but not necessarily used, to transport cargo; and

WHEREAS, (6) Other Motor Vehicles-other motorized vehicles, e.g., motorcycles, motor scooters, trail bikes, mopeds, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, or golf carts whose primary purpose is to transport people; and

WHEREAS, For the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Operating Manual, for NCIC 2000 purposes, a vehicle is any motor-driven conveyance (except a boat) designed to carry its operator; and

WHEREAS, in addition to conveyances meeting this definition, aircraft and trailers are also to be entered in the Vehicle File; and

WHEREAS, a part is defined as any serially-numbered vehicle component which has been stolen from a

Vehicle; and

WHEREAS, if the uniquely serialized part is stolen in conjunction with a vehicle, the part information should be added on to the base vehicle record; and

WHEREAS, the NCIC Manual identifies nine (9) vehicle styles, including: (1) aircraft, (2) all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, go-carts, golf carts, motorized ride-on toys and motorized wheelchairs, (3) automobiles, (4) construction equipment, (5) farm and garden equipment, (6) motorcycles, (7) snowmobiles, (8) trailers, and (9) trucks; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Manufactured Vehicle Classifications—For NHTSA purposes, "motor vehicles are defined by statute as vehicles that are driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, or highways."; and

WHEREAS, in regulating the manufacture of motor vehicles, NHTSA has established nine various type classifications, which include the following: (1) Passenger Car—A motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle, multipurpose passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer, designed for carrying 10 persons or less; and

WHEREAS, (2) Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle—A motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle or trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation; and

WHEREAS, (3) Truck—A motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment; and

WHEREAS, (4) Bus—A motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for carrying more than 10 persons; and

WHEREAS, (5) Motorcycle—A motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground; and

WHEREAS, (6) Motor-driven Cycle—A motorcycle with a motor that produces 5-brake horsepower or less; and

WHEREAS, (7) Trailer—A motor vehicle with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by another motor vehicle; and

WHEREAS, (8) Low-Speed Vehicle—A motor vehicle, that is 4-wheeled, whose speed attainable in 1 mile (1.6 km) is more than 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) and not more than 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) on a paved level surface, and whose GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is less than 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms); and

WHEREAS, (9) Pole Trailer—A motor vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another motor vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes, or structural members capable generally of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections; and

WHEREAS, 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 523 Vehicle Classifications—The U.S. Code provides for seven classifications of motor vehicles subject to Title V of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, including (1) automobiles, (2) passenger automobiles, (3) non-passenger automobiles, (4) heavy-duty vehicles, (5) heavy-duty pickup truck and vans, (6) heavy-duty vocational vehicles, and (7) truck tractors; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police calls upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to jointly develop and implement a universal definition and classification of a "motor vehicle" differentiated from a "vehicle" as it pertains to motor vehicle theft within the reporting systems of the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC), FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR), and the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).