§ 9–218
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 9-218 (2026)
Title 9. Workers' Compensation
Subtitle 2. Covered Employees and Employers
§ 9–218LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
This section applies to an individual who is an owner operator of:
(i)
a Class F (tractor) vehicle, as described in § 13-923 of the Transportation Article; or
(ii)
except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a Class E (truck) vehicle, as described in § 13-916 of the Transportation Article, including a Class E (truck) vehicle described in § 13-919 of the Transportation Article.
(2)
This section does not apply to the owner operator of a vehicle registered as a Class T vehicle under § 13-920 of the Transportation Article.
(b)
An individual who is an owner operator is not a covered employee if:
(1)
the individual and motor carrier make a written agreement for permanent or trip leasing;
(2)
under the agreement:
(i)
there is no intent to create an employer-employee relationship; and
(ii)
the individual is paid rental compensation; and
(3)
for federal tax purposes, the individual qualifies as an independent contractor.
(c)
(1)
A motor carrier who enters into an agreement under subsection (b) of this section is considered a principal contractor under § 9-508 of this title.
(2)
An individual who is an owner operator and enters into an agreement under subsection (b) of this section is:
(i)
considered a subcontractor under § 9-508 of this title;
(ii)
for purposes of being a subcontractor, not considered a covered employee of the entity that the individual operator owns; and
(iii)
not entitled to compensation from a principal contractor under § 9-508 of this title.
(d)
An individual who is an owner operator and enters into a written agreement under subsection (b) of this section shall provide proof of insurance for any covered employee of the individual as may be required by this title.