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 11.14.02.03 - Brakes

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Service Brake
				Performance Tests.
(1) Road tests and visual
				procedures. Service brake tests shall be conducted on a substantially level,
				dry, hard, smooth surface road or area that is free from loose material, oil,
				or grease. Using the service brake only, the stopping ability of the vehicle
				shall be tested by one of the following methods:
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
Service Brake Test. (a) Method (1)-On Road. At a speed of
						  20 mph apply service brakes firmly. Observe whether vehicle comes to a smooth
						  stop within the distance prescribed by law; passenger cars 25 feet, type II
						  school vehicles, light trucks, vans and multipurpose passenger vehicles 30 feet
						  without pulling to the right or left. Driver shall have firm control of the
						  steering wheel throughout the test.
(a) The vehicle stopping distance requires more than 25
						  feet for passenger cars, and 30 feet for type II school vehicles, light trucks,
						  vans and multipurpose passenger vehicles.
(b) Method (2)-On Road. Mount an approved decelerometer
						  at centerline of vehicle. Level at decelerometer.At the speed of 20 mph, apply
						  service brake firmly. Observe decelerometer reading. Determine whether vehicle
						  pulls to right or left.
(b) Vehicle pulls to the right or left upon brake
						  application.
(c) A decelerometer reading of at least 17 feet psps for
						  passenger cars, 14 psps for type II school vehicles, light trucks, vans and
						  multipurpose passenger vehicles, or pulls to the right or left.
(2)
				Station test and visual inspection procedures. Before attempting inspection by
				this method, the inspector should be trained and experienced in the use of the
				equipment and the equipment must have adequate capacity.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Method (3)-Platform Tester. Drive vehicle onto
						  "drive-on-and-stop" platform tester, apply brakes firmly at a speed from 4 to 8
						  mph without wheel lock-up. All braking action shall take place on the
						  platforms. Certain models of platform testing equipment are not generally
						  sensitive enough to read the rear axle effort of front wheel drive
						  vehicles.
(a) Readings are less than requirements on brake
						  performance chart in §H.
(b) These machines may be used to inspect the relative
						  effectiveness of each wheel.There shall be braking action on all wheels. The
						  action on any one wheel shall be 75 percent or more of the action on the other
						  wheel on the same axle. If there is little or no braking brakes are applied
						  with vehicle jacked action on the rear axle, jack or hoist the vehicle, apply
						  the brakes, and attempt to turn the rear wheels.
(b) Any wheel fails to indicate braking action except as
						  noted, or if the reading on any one wheel is less than 75 percent of the
						  reading on the other wheel on the same axle.
(c) Rear wheels rotate freely when brakes are applied
						  with vehicle jacked or hoisted.
(3)
				Dynamic Brake Inspection. This test is for stations equipped with a roller-type
				brake dynamometer. The rollers should be dry, smooth, and free of oil or
				grease. The machine indicates both braking effort and imbalance. Brakes on
				front and rear axles are evaluated separately.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(a) Method (4)-Roller-Type Brake Dynamometer (Force
						  Measuring Type).
(a) Readings are less than requirements on brake
						  performance chart in §H.
(i) Adjust tire to proper inflation. (ii) Position
						  vehicle on dynamometer rolls and begin test. (iii) Follow equipment
						  manufacturer's recommended testing procedures. (iv) If there is little or no
						  braking action on the rear axle, jack or hoist the vehicle and apply the brakes
						  and attempt to turn the rear wheels.
(b) Any wheel fails to indicate braking action except as
						  noted in procedures, or the reading on any one wheel is less than 75 percent of
						  the reading on the other wheel on the same axle.
(c) Rear wheels rotate freely when brakes are applied
						  with vehicle jacked or hoisted.