MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

2247

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 12-404.3 be and it is hereby
added to Article 66 1/2 - Vehicle Laws, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1970 Replacement Volume and 1975
Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 66 1/2 - Vehicle Laws

12-404.3.

(A)    EVERY TRUCK AND TRUCK TRACTOR, AND EVERY BUS,
AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAYS OF
THIS STATE, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS
SECTION, SHALL BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE NAME, TRADE NAME,
OR COMPANY LOGO, AND THE CITY AND STATE OF THE OWNER OR
OPERATOR. HOWEVER, IN LIEU OF THE CITY AND STATE, ONE OF
THE FOLLOWING MAY BE USED:

(1)    THE COMPANY UNIT NUMBER;

(2)    THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
NUMBER; OR

(3)    THE NUMBER ISSUED BY A STATE AGENCY.

THE DISPLAY OF IDENTIFICATION PRESCRIBED BY THIS
SECTION SHALL BE IN LETTERS IN SHARP COLOR CONTRAST TO
THE BACKGROUND AND BE OF SUCH SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOR AS TO
BE READILY LEGIBLE, DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, FROM A
DISTANCE OF 50 FEET WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION.
THE DISPLAY OF IDENTIFICATION MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH
THE USE OF A REMOVABLE DEVICE SO PREPARED AS TO OTHERWISE
MEET THE IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND LEGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION
SHALL PROHIBIT THE DISPLAY OF ADDITIONAL IDENTIFICATION
AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS OF THIS STATE OR ANY
OTHER STATE, OR AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.

(B)    EXCEPTIONS - THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO
(I) VEHICLES OWNED OR OPERATED BY A [[GAS COMPANY OR
ELECTRIC COMPANY AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 78 OF THE
ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND OR TO CONTRACTORS OR AGENTS OF
THESE COMPANIES WHILE ENGAGED IN WORK ON PUBLIC SERVICE
FACILITIES]] GAS, ELECTRIC, TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE OR WATER
COMPANY, AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 78; (II) VEHICLES
REGISTERED AS A FARM TRUCK UNDER SECTION 3-806(E) OR A
FARM TRACTOR REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 3-808(C); (III)
SCHOOL BUSES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 3-810; (IV) TRUCKS
REGISTERED AT THREE-QUARTER TON CAPACITY OR LESS; (V)
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1-103
OF THIS ARTICLE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1977.