Ch. 582

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) If a disabled motor vehicle or disabled vehicle combination is carrying a
perishable commodity, the vehicle may be towed directly by the safest and shortest
practical route possible to the commodity's destination.

(f)      (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, a person may not
engage in any emergency or secondary tow or any other tow of a motor vehicle or vehicle
combination that exceeds any applicable statutory weight and size restrictions under Title
24 of this article unless the person has obtained the appropriate annual blanket permit
under this subsection.

(2)     The State Highway Administration and the State Police, jointly, shall
adopt regulations to implement this section.

(3)     The regulations adopted under this subsection shall specify criteria for:

(i) The issuance of appropriate annual blanket permits to those
vehicles which are of adequate size to safely perform any towing allowed under this
section;

(ii) The maximum weight, gross weight, axle weight, axle loads, or size
of vehicles and vehicle combinations that may be towed under this section;           

(iii) The minimum size and equipment required of a tow truck that
tows vehicles or vehicle combinations under this section; and

(iv) An annual permit fee, not to exceed the lesser of $50 or the actual
cost of issuing permits under this subsection.

(4)     The State Highway Administration shall issue an appropriate annual
blanket permit to an eligible tow truck registered under this section that meets the
requirements of regulations adopted under this subsection.

(g)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, while engaged in towing,
a tow truck registered under this section is subject to:

(1)     Weight restrictions imposed on restricted bridges; and

(2)     All applicable statutory weight and size restrictions under Title 24 of this
article while being operated within the limits of Baltimore City, unless the vehicle is being
operated on an interstate highway.

(h) Except for tow trucks operated by dealers, automotive dismantlers and
recyclers, and scrap processors displaying special registration plates issued under Title 13
of this article, the vehicle shall display a distinctive registration plate as authorized by the
Administration.

(i) A person who registers a tow truck under this section shall [obtain] :

(1)      OBTAIN commercial liability insurance in the amount of at least
$100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury liability, and $100,000^: per
occurrence property damage liability; AND

(2)      PROVIDE A FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND:

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