# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 9. Carrier Companies

### Subtitle 2. Motor Carrier Companies

#### Section 9-201

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a motor carrier permit is required for a passenger motor vehicle used in the transportation of persons for hire.

(b) A motor carrier permit is not required for:

  (1) a motor vehicle used exclusively for the transportation of pupils to and from public or private schools;

  (2) a motor vehicle operated for a period of not more than 3 months in any registration year in the transportation of persons employed at a cannery located in a county;

  (3) taxicabs;

  (4) public transportation for hire authorized to operate on the boardwalk in Ocean City;

  (5) a vanpool operation as defined in Sec. 11-175.1 of the Transportation Article;

  (6) a local public transportation system established under a law enacted by the local governing body of a county or municipal corporation;

  (7) subject to subsection (c) of this section, a motor vehicle used by a privately owned transportation company exclusively to provide transportation system services under a contract with the governing body of a county or municipal corporation or with a unit of State government;

  (8) shuttle bus service operated by the University of Maryland, College Park Campus for students enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus and, in exchange for payment by a municipal corporation in which the University of Maryland, College Park Campus operates shuttle bus service, transportation service on the shuttle bus to residents of the municipal corporation; or

  (9) transportation services that a nonprofit organization provides through the use of a volunteer driver and the volunteer driver's personal vehicle.

(c) A privately owned transportation company that provides transportation system services under a contract with the governing body of a county or municipal corporation or with a unit of State government shall obtain a motor carrier permit for motor vehicles that the company does not use exclusively to provide transportation system services under a contract with the governing body of a county or municipal corporation or with a unit of State government.

(d) The public duties of a common carrier may not be imposed on a person with respect to a vehicle for which a motor carrier permit is required under this section, if the vehicle is not actually engaged in public transportation.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)