In Texas and some other states, the 3-wheel model is licensed as a motorcycle. The vehicle had many features of a regular 4 wheeled vehicle - driver's seat in the middle with a high backrest, clutch and brake pedals, floor dimmer switch, windshield wiper, seat belt, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, sliding glass windows, bumpers, shocks, leaf springs, differential, etc etc. The engine was a 2 cylinder air-cooled OMC. The Cushman Haulster, nicknamed the "Vanster", was a unique 3-wheel or 4-wheel vehicle with a fiberglass body and 3 steel doors. These scooters have been used for many things including pizza delivery, an advertising "mascot" for businesses and more. Mine came without a speedo and some of the other gauges aren't wired up and I haven't had a need to do so but you can see what it's supposed to be like. The pics of the instrument panel are not of my scooter. These are pics I've come across here and there of other Cushman scooters like mine or similar. The ladies at the courthouse had it wrong and I wasted $28. After about two weeks, I received a new title but it STILL had bonded on it. UPDATE: After about 8 years of having the bonded title, I paid the $28 fee at the courthouse to get my regular title without the word "bonded" on it. A bonded title is transferable just like a regular title.
After about 8 years, I've never received a new title but maybe I have to request it at the courthouse. I was told at the time I applied for it that I would receive a regular title after a couple of years and no liens being found. For the record, my title is a bonded title. I had looked into purchasing a Truckster without a title, but this new requirement is a deal breaker. This would be way too much hassle for me. This service would only be available in major cities, so if you live far from a major city, you'd have to trailer your vehicle and take it for inspection. Supposedly, instead of just filing the proper paperwork and paying the fees, you have to physically take your vehicle to an auto theft officer at a designated police department to inspect it and verify the numbers. I recently contacted the lady who did the title work and she said since the time I titled my Haulster, Texas laws have become more difficult. I went through a title service to get the title and it cost me a few hundred bucks.
This Cushman has badges stamped MOTORCYCLE and has a serial number and a 17-digit VIN, which made the process smoother.
Not all Cushman vehicles are eligible for a title. I'm sure this Cushman never had a title, so I applied for and received a bonded Texas title in 2012.