# Regulation .11 Vehicle Standards.

Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Regulation .11 Vehicle Standards.

Balt., Md., COBRA § 14.02.01.11 (2026)

A. Vehicle Approval.

  (1) A permit holder shall ensure a dockless vehicle model intended for deployment on a public street has been approved by the Director prior to its deployment on the public street.

  (2) To deploy a new vehicle model or vehicle type, a permit holder shall submit the following to the Department at least two weeks prior to intended deployment:

    (a) Vehicle specifications;

    (b) A safety certificate;

    (c) A deployment plan;

    (d) A change to an operations plan, if any; and

    (e) A change to a maintenance plan, if any.

  (3) A permit holder may not deploy a new vehicle model or type until receiving written approval from the Department.

B. Required Features – In General.
A permit holder shall ensure a dockless vehicle deployed on a public street:

  (1) Weighs no more than 100 pounds;

  (2) Is equipped with an operational structural feature that allows the vehicle to be stably parked upright without needing to lean on another object;

  (3) Is equipped with built-in front and back lights that:

    (a) Illuminate while the dockless vehicle is in use; and

    (b) Are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night;

  (4) Is equipped with a bell or noise emitting device;

  (5) Has tires with a diameter of at least nine inches;

  (6) Has tactile identification which:

    (a) Meets State requirements; and

    (b) Is located on the stem near the handlebars if handlebars are present; and

  (7) Has legible decals listing:

    (a) The name of the permit holder displayed in a minimum of 16-point font;

    (b) The following contact information for a permit holder displayed in a minimum of 16-point font:

      (i) A toll-free telephone number;

      (ii) An e-mail address; and

      (iii) A website address; and

    (c) A unique identification number displayed in:

      (i) A minimum of 48-point font; or

      (ii) Font that is at least 1 inch in height.

C. Required Features – E-scooters.
A permit holder shall ensure that an e-scooter deployed on a public street:

  (1) Has a speedometer that is legible; and

  (2) Is equipped with a speed governor capable of throttling speeds to specific speed limits in geographical areas designated in the MDS Policy API.

D. Data and Information.
A permit holder shall ensure a dockless vehicle and its associated apps do not provide false information, including:

  (1) An inaccurate speedometer reading; and

  (2) An alarm that announces that a vehicle can notify the police.

E. Additional Requirements.

  (1) A permit holder shall certify that its deployed vehicles meet:

    (a) Applicable federal laws;

    (b) Applicable State laws;

    (c) Applicable provisions of City Code;

    (d) CPSC Safety Standards: ISO 43.150 for Pedal Bicycles; and

    (e) CPSC Public Law 107-319 for E-Scooters and E-Bicycles.

  (2) A permit holder shall certify that each dockless vehicle they deploy in the City are:

    (a) Free of defects in materials;

    (b) Free of defects in construction; and

    (c) Safe for members of the public to use in the ordinary course of usage.