Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.02 - Safety Standards for Passenger Cars, Taxicabs, Light Trucks, Vans, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, and Type II School Vehicles › Section 11.14.02.07 - Bumpers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Bumpers shall be
				inspected for broken or missing parts, abnormal protrusions, sharp edges, or
				conditions that could be hazardous to persons. The bumpers shall be securely
				mounted to the vehicle and be capable of absorbing a reasonable degree of
				impact. They shall be the original equipment or equivalent and extend the full
				width of the vehicle. Bumper extensions or modifications to compensate for
				suspension changes are not acceptable. Bumper height shall be no higher than 20
				inches for Class A passenger vehicles and no higher than 28 inches for Class E
				light trucks or Class M multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Bumpers. Inspect bumpers for condition, mounting,
						  size, and height.
(1) Bumper is broken or missing. A bumper concealed by
						  design behind body components is not cause for rejection as long as it meets
						  all other criteria.
(a) Measure from level surface on which vehicle stands
						  to the bottom edge of the main horizontal bar of the bumper, exclusive of any
						  horizontal or vertical extension bars or bumper guards. On vehicles equipped
						  with soft bumper covering, the measurement will be made on the reinforcing
						  horizontal bar. Class E truck and Class M multipurpose vehicle measurement
						  shall be made from the level surface on which the vehicle stands to the bottom
						  edge of the main horizontal bar of the bumper exclusive of any horizontal or
						  vertical extension bars or bumper guards. If the vehicle is not equipped with a
						  rear bumper, the measurement shall be made from the level surface to the bottom
						  edge of the frame side rails. A rear bumper is not required on a pickup
						  truck.
(2) Abnormal protrusions or conditions are present which
						  could be hazardous to persons.
(b) Replacement bumpers which are made of wood shall
						  meet the following criteria to be considered equivalent to original:
(3) Bumpers are not securely mounted or capable of
						  absorbing a reasonable of impact.
(i) The wood shall be at least 3" x 6" hardwood (maple,
						  oak, etc.) without metal reinforcement and be adequately secured to the
						  original bumper brackets or in the same location as the original by at least
						  3/16 inch steel brackets;
(4) Bumpers are not the original equipment or equivalent
						  or do not extend the full width of the vehicle.
(ii) The wood shall be at least 2" x 6" hardwood (maple,
						  oak, etc.), be reinforced by at least 3/16 inch flat steel, and be adequately
						  secured to the original bumper brackets or in the same location as original by
						  at least 3/16 inch steel brackets.
(5) Bumpers are modified or extended to compensate for
						  suspension changes or modifications.
(6) Bumpers are higher than 20 inches for Class A
						  passenger vehicles or 28 inches for Class E light trucks or Class M
						  multipurpose vehicles.
(7) Replacement wooden bumpers do not meet established
						  criteria or are present on any school vehicle.
Figure 18 BUMPER HEIGHT.
Click
				  here to view Image