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 11.14.02.04 - Wheels and Tires

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Reference is
				made to the figures in additional wheel and tire information for visual aid in
				determining tire wear. This inspection is visual.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect for tire wear. (a) Tires without tread wear
						  indicators. (b) Tires with tread wear indicators. (c) Inspect for cord
						  exposure.
(1) (a) Tire is worn so that less than 2/32 inch tread
						  remains when a measurement is made in any major groove at three locations
						  spaced equally around outside of tire. Exception: 4/32" on front tires or
						  steering axle of type II school vehicles. (b) Tire is worn so that the tread
						  wear indicators contact the road in any major groove at three locations spaced
						  equally around outside of tire. (c) Tire has a worn spot that exposes the cord
						  through the thread.
(2) Inspect for tread cuts, snags, or sidewall
						  cracks.
(2) Tire has tread cuts, snags, or sidewall cracks in any
						  direction, and deep enough to expose cords.
(3) Inspect for bumps, bulges, or knots.
(3) Tire has visible bumps, bulges, or knots indicating
						  partial failure or separation of the tire structure.
(4) Inspect for fabric breaks, and exposed or damaged
						  body cords.
(4) Tire has unrepaired fabric break or sidewall has
						  damaged body cords.
(5) Inspect for regrooved or recut tires. Regrooved tires
						  are not permitted on type II school vehicles.
(5) Tire has been regrooved or recut below original
						  groove depth, except as authorized by Transportation Article, §
													22-405.1, and can be
						  readily identified as regroovable.
(6) Visually inspect for mismatching of tires.
(6) Tires are not the same type of construction or size
						  on the same axle of the vehicle. (Difference in brand or tread design is not
						  cause for rejection.) Tire construction types are mismatched. (Difference in
						  brand, rating, or identification is not cause for rejection) (a) If vehicle is
						  equipped with radial-type tires, all four shall be radials. (b) If vehicle is
						  equipped with conventional-type tires, bias ply, or belted bias, all four shall
						  be conventional, bias ply, or belted bias.
(7) Visually inspect diameter or circumference of tires
						  for tire size.
(7) By visual comparison, tire sizes differ
						  significantly, as follows: (a) Tires of more than two graduations in size on
						  the same axle; (b) Tires are significantly smaller than manufacturer's
						  specified minimum or of such a significantly larger size that require
						  suspension modification to prevent tire and body contact during different
						  vehicle attitudes.
(8) Visually inspect for restricted usage marking on tire
						  (such as reclassified tires).
(8) Tire is: (a) Marked "For farm use only"; (b) Marked
						  "Off highway use only"; (c) Marked "For racing use only"; (d) A metal studded
						  snow tire in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties
						  during period when prohibited (April 1 thru October 31). Reject in other areas
						  at any time.
(9) Inspect wheel bolts, nuts, or lugs.
(9) Wheel bolts, nuts, studs, or lugs are loose, missing,
						  damaged, or of improper design to properly secure the type of wheel.
(10) Inspect for wheel damage.
(10) Any part of the wheel is bent, cracked, rewelded, or
						  damaged, to affect safe operation of the vehicle; loose or missing spokes on
						  spoke-type wheels; or any wheel not the original or equivalent. Speciality
						  Equipment Markets Association (SEMA) or U.S./D.O.T. approved wheels and
						  adapters are acceptable.
(11) Inspect for recapped tires on a school vehicle.
(11) Recapped tires are used on a type II school vehicle
						  except mud or snow tire recaps may be used on the drive axle between October 31
						  and April 1 of each year.