Ch. 364

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article - Transportation

22-105.

(a)     (1) If any Class A (passenger) vehicle, any Class E truck with a
manufacturer's rating or registered gross vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds or less, or any
Class M (multipurpose) vehicle has been altered in any manner that would reduce the
effectiveness of its bumpers or SUSPENSION OR render the vehicle dangerous in the event
of A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR a collision with another vehicle, it. may not be
operated on any highway in this State. [The Motor Vehicle Administration and the
Automotive Safety Enforcement Division of the Maryland State Police jointly shall adopt
rules and regulations relating to bumpers as used in this section.]

(2) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION MAY BE CONSTRUED TO EXEMPT A
VEHICLE FROM THE APPLICATION OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SOLELY
BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION
(B) OF THIS SECTION.

(b)      [Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a] A person may not
operate a vehicle on any highway in the State if [the manufacturer's original design
specifications for the vehicle have been altered in any manner that causes], AS A RESULT
OF POST-MANUFACTURE ALTERATIONS, the height of the vehicle's [bumper to
exceed] FRAME SIDE RAILS OR EITHER OF THE VEHICLE'S BUMPERS EXCEEDS:

(1)     In the case of a Class A (passenger) vehicle, 20 inches;

(2)     In the case of a Class M (multipurpose) vehicle, 28 inches;

(3)     In the case of a Class E truck with a manufacturer's rating or registered
gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less, 28 inches; or

(4)     In the case of a Class E truck with a manufacturer's rating or registered
gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds but not more than 18,000 pounds,
POUNDS:

(I) 30 inches; OR

(II) IF THE TRUCK IS USED FOR SPRAYING AGRICULTURAL CROPS,
32 INCHES.

(C) THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
DIVISION OF THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE JOINTLY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS
RELATING TO BUMPERS, FRAME SIDE RAILS, AND VEHICLE SUSPENSIONS AS
NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1993.

Approved May 11, 1993.

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