Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.04 - Safety Standards for Trucks, Truck Tractors, Commercial Buses, and Type I School Vehicles › Section 11.14.04.12 - Lighting

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. General Lamp and
				Reflector Inspection. This includes all original equipment, exterior lighting
				plus whatever lights are authorized. School vehicles have special marking and
				lighting to assure their identity. Refer to diagrams of front and rear views
				(Figures 27 and 29).
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Visual Check of Lamp Function: Turn on the night
						  driving lights and visually check the following: (Check (a) and (b) with
						  ignition switch on, engine should not be running.)
(a) A bulb or sealed beam unit fails to light. (b) Turn
						  signals do not properly indicate right or left when so switched.
(a) Actuate turn signal lever to right and left, and
						  observe function of turn signal lights (1962 or newer motor vehicles shall be
						  so equipped. Turn signals shall emit white or amber light to the front and red
						  or amber to the rear).
(c) Turn signals do not self-cancel if so equipped (if,
						  because of age of the vehicle, parts are not available, this defect may be
						  certified.)
(b) Place vehicle in all forward gears and check back-up
						  lamps (if vehicle is so equipped).
(d) Back-up lamp system functions when the vehicle is in
						  any forward gear, or back-up lamp system fails to function when vehicle is in
						  reverse.
(c) If vehicle is so equipped, actuate the following and
						  observe lamps: (i) Hazard warning lamps (1968 or newer motor vehicles shall be
						  so equipped); (ii) Brake system warning lamps (if equipped); (iii) Indicator
						  lamps for: hazard warning lamps, turn signals, high beam headlamps and school
						  vehicle flashing warning lamps; (iv) Stop lamps (1968 or newer motor vehicles
						  shall have two red or amber stop lamps; all others one); (v) Headlamps-upper
						  and lower beam: Headlamps shall emit white light.
(e) A lamp shows color contrary to law (red or blue
						  light to the front; white light to the rear, except license plate lamps and
						  back-up lamps when vehicle is in reverse. (f) A lamp fails to light proper
						  filament when switched. (g) A required or authorized lamp, lens, or reflector
						  is obscured by any object or shielded by a nontransparent material. (h) A lamp
						  or reflector is not mounted to properly direct or reflect light. (i) A lamp
						  assembly or reflector is loose or improperly mounted. (j) A tail lamp has a
						  cracked or broken lens which emits a white light to the rear.
(2) Observe function of: (a) Tail lamps (red, two on 1972
						  or newer models; all others one). (b) Parking lamps (white or amber to the
						  front; red to the rear). In addition, every bus, truck, or truck tractor 80
						  inches or more in overall width shall be equipped as required in
						  §§A(2)(c), (d), (e), and (f). (c) Side marker lamps, one amber front
						  and one red rear on each side. Vehicles over 30 feet in overall length one
						  amber centrally located with respect to length of the vehicle.
(k) A lamp, lens, or reflector is not an approved type.
						  (l) Equipped with any unauthorized emergency or warning lamps. (m) A school
						  vehicle manufactured after December 31, 1972, and the alternating flashing
						  warning lamps are not equipped with shields or hoods. (n) Headlamp output is
						  less than 5,000 candlepower on high beam or less than 3,500 candlepower on low
						  beam. (o) Indicator lamps (if equipped) fail to function.
(d) Reflectors: one amber front and one red rear on each
						  side. Vehicles over 30 feet in overall length, one amber centrally located with
						  respect to length of the vehicle. 1972 or newer models shall be equipped with
						  at least two red reflectors on the rear. All other models shall have one.
						  Reflectors may be combined with other lamps.
(p) Dash lamps do not illuminate fuel gauge, oil
						  pressure gauge, alternator gauge, temperature gauge, speedometer, odometer, air
						  pressure, or vacuum gauge. (q) Any required lamp is missing.
(e) Clearance lamps: two amber front and two red rear to
						  indicate overall width of the vehicle. One on each side of the vertical
						  centerline of the vehicle at the same height and as near the top of the vehicle
						  as possible. If the vehicle is equipped with three red identification lamps on
						  the top rear, the rear clearance lamps may be mounted at the top or bottom of
						  the vehicle.
(f) Identification lamps: three amber front and three
						  red rear grouped in a horizontal row with lamp centers spaced not less than 6
						  inches or more than 12 inches apart and mounted on a permanent structure of the
						  vehicle as close as possible to vertical centerline of the vehicle. Required on
						  front of all 1972 or newer trucks and buses and all truck tractors. Rear of all
						  trucks and buses. If the cab of the vehicle is not more than 42 inches at the
						  front roof line, a single identification lamp mounted at the center of the cab
						  is acceptable.
(g) License plate lamp or lamps-White.
(h) Emergency/Warning Lamp when permitted or required.
						  School vehicles manufactured before January 1985 shall be equipped with two
						  front and two rear alternately flashing red warning lamps unless approved
						  otherwise. School vehicles manufactured after December 1984 shall be equipped
						  with two front and two rear alternately flashing amber warning lamps in
						  addition to the two front and two rear alternately flashing red warning lamps.
						  After January 1, 1994, all school vehicles shall be equipped with two front and
						  two rear alternately flashing red and amber warning lamps. On school vehicles
						  manufactured after December 31, 1972, the warning lamps shall be equipped with
						  shields or hoods.
(i) Red and Blue: Law enforcement vehicles; Red and/or
						  White: Fire department, rescue vehicles, ambulances, State vehicles used for
						  hazardous material spills; Amber: Service, maintenance, tow-trucks, escort, and
						  slow moving farm vehicles.
(j) Dash Lamps.
(k) All interior lamps (school vehicle only): (i)
						  Interior lamps to illuminate aisle; (ii) Stepwell lamp; (iii) Red
						  identification lamp for emergency door (if equipped); (iv) Indicator lamp or
						  signal for operation of flashing warning lamps; (v) Indicator lamps to monitor
						  warning, turn signal, and hazard lamps.
Figure 24-TRUCK TRACTOR LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
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Figure 25-SINGLE UNIT TRUCK LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
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Figure 26-COMMERCIAL BUS LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
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Figure 27-TYPE I SCHOOL VEHICLE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
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(3)
				Preparation for Headlamp Aim Inspection. Preparation for headlamp and aim
				inspection is to be done by owner of vehicle before inspection. Frame leveling
				and wheel alignment inspection is done before inspection. Frame leveling and
				wheel alignment inspection is done at the station. Any one of the items listed
				below can affect the inspection results and may cause rejection of the vehicle.
				To prevent this and reduce inspection time, the owner should have the first
				three items completed before inspection.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Remove excessive ice and mud from under fenders. (b)
						  Inflate tires to recommended pressures. (c) Be sure that lenses are clean;
						  check for burned out bulbs and proper beam switching. (d) Check for faulty
						  wheel alignment or improper tracking of the rear axle.