Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.05 - Safety Standards for Trailers › Section 11.14.05.09 - Lighting

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
General Lamp and Reflector Inspection. This includes all
				  original equipment, exterior lighting plus whatever lights are authorized. (For
				  definitions of lighting terms, refer to COMAR
				  11.14.04.12EE and
				  F.) Pole trailers and modular home trailers may have portable lamp devices
				  which attach to the load when in use to comply with applicable
				  regulations.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
A. Visual Inspection of Lamp Function. Connect trailer or
						  semitrailer to power source of towing vehicle. Turn on night driving lights of
						  towing vehicle and visually inspect the following:
A.
(1) A required lamp is missing or fails
						  to function.
(2) Turn signals do not properly indicate right or
						  left when so activated.
(1) Actuate the turn signal lever of the towing vehicle
						  to right and left; and observe function of turn signal lights of trailer or
						  semitrailer (1962 or newer trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers shall be
						  so equipped). Turn signals shall emit red or amber light.
(3) Any lamp shows color contrary to law (red or blue
						  light to the front; white light to the rear, except license plate lamp).
(4) A required lamp, lens, or reflector is obscured by any object
						  or shielded by a nontransparent material.
(2) Depress the brake pedal of the towing vehicle and
						  observe the function of the stop lamps of the trailer or semitrailer (1972 or
						  newer trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers shall have two red or amber
						  stop lamps, all others one).
(5) A lamp or reflector is not mounted to properly direct
						  or reflect light.
(6) A lamp assembly or reflector is loose or
						  improperly mounted.
(3) Observe function of tail lamps of trailer or
						  semitrailer (Red: two on 1972 or newer vehicles; all others, one).
(7) A tail lamp, stop lamp, or turn signal has a cracked
						  or broken lens which emits a white light to the rear. (8) A lamp, lens, or
						  reflector is not an approved type.
(4) Observe function of license plate lamp of trailer or
						  semitrailer (White: May be incorporated in tail lamp).
(5) 1972 and newer model trailers and semitrailers shall
						  be equipped with two red reflectors on the rear. All others, one. (Reflectors
						  may be incorporated in tail lamps.) In addition, every trailer or semitrailer
						  80 inches or more in overall width shall be, and all other trailers or
						  semitrailers may be, equipped as required in §A(6),(7), (8), and (9).
(6) 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.
(7) 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 the length of the vehicle. (Reflectors may be
						  incorporated in side marker lamps.)
(8) Clearance Lamps: Two amber, front, and two red, rear,
						  to indicate the 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.
(9) Identification Lamps: (Required on 1972 or newer
						  trailers and semitrailers). 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 the
						  vertical centerline of the vehicle. Pole trailers may be equipped with three
						  red identification lamps visible to the rear, mounted on the rear of the cab of
						  the towing vehicle, the bolster, or on the rear of the load provided they are
						  visible.
(10) Modular home trailers may be equipped with a bar
						  light assembly provided it is bolted securely to the rear frame of the
						  trailer.
Figures 6-COMMERCIAL SEMI TRAILER LIGHTING
				  REQUIREMENTS.
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				  here to view Image
Figures 7-SMALL TRAILER LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
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				  here to view Image