Title 22. Vehicle Laws -- Equipment of Vehicles — Subtitle 2. Lamps and Other Lighting Equipment

Vehicles of federal, State, or local agencies;

Vehicles of public service companies; and

Vehicles of persons performing governmental functions under a contract with any federal, State, or local government.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, if a driver of a vehicle on a highway operates the vehicle’s windshield wipers for a continuous period of time because of impaired visibility resulting from unfavorable atmospheric conditions, the driver shall light the vehicle’s headlamps.

A violation of this section is not considered a moving violation for purposes of § 16–402 of this article.

A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section is subject to a fine not to exceed $25.

A police officer may enforce the provisions of this section only as a secondary action when the police officer detains a driver of a motor vehicle for a suspected violation of another provision of the Code.

Whenever a requirement is declared in this subtitle as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which the lamps or devices shall be visible, the requirement applies during the times stated in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle in respect to a vehicle without a load when on a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.

Whenever a requirement is declared in this subtitle as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it means from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground on which the vehicle stands when the vehicle is without a load.

In this section, the term “motorcycle” includes Class M (multipurpose) vehicles that are designated by the Administrator.

Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which headlamps shall emit white light and comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this title.

Every headlamp on every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 22 inches.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, after June 1, 1971, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any other vehicle that is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least 2 tail lamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the rear.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any other vehicle that is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, and that was manufactured or assembled before June 1, 1971, shall have at least 1 tail lamp mounted on the rear which, when lighted as required in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of at least 300 feet to the rear.

On a combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

On vehicles equipped with more than 1 tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.

Every tail lamp on every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches.

Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and placed to illuminate, with a white light, the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be wired to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, special mobile equipment that is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles is not required to be equipped with tail lamps unless:

Every reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not more than 60 inches nor less than 15 inches and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps, except that visibility from a greater distance is hereinafter required of reflectors on certain types of vehicles. When two reflectors are required they shall be as widely spaced laterally as practicable.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp meeting the requirements of § 22–219(a) of this subtitle, and the following vehicles shall meet the following additional requirements:

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this State and sold as a new vehicle after June 1, 1961, shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps meeting the requirements of § 22–219(b) through (h) of this subtitle, except that:

Any special mobile equipment that is being towed shall be equipped with at least 2 stop lamps that meet the requirements of § 22-219(a) of this subtitle and electric turn signals that meet the requirements of § 22-219(b) of this subtitle if the special mobile equipment:

In addition to the other equipment required by this title, including §§ 22-203, 22-204, 22-205, and 22-206, the vehicles mentioned in this section, when operated on any highway, shall be equipped as stated in this section. All required lamp equipment shall be lighted at the times mentioned in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle. The reflectors elsewhere enumerated for these vehicles shall conform to the requirements of § 22-211(a) and (b) of this subtitle.

Whenever identification lamps are required or permitted by this title, they shall be grouped in a horizontal row, with lamp centers spaced not less than 6 nor more than 12 inches apart, and mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle as close as practicable to the vertical centerline. However, where the cab of a vehicle is not more than 42 inches wide at the front roof line, a single identification lamp at the center of the cab complies with the requirements for front identification lamps.

Front clearance lamps, identification lamps, and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color.

Rear clearance lamps, identification lamps, and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color.

Reflectors required by § 22-208 of this subtitle shall be mounted at a height of not more than 60 inches nor less than 15 inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands. However, if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than 15 inches, the reflector at that point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit.

The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load.

Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but the reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this title.

Clearance lamps shall be mounted so as to indicate the extreme width of the motor vehicle, not including mirrors, and as near the top of the vehicle as practicable.

When rear identification lamps are mounted at the extreme height of the vehicle, rear clearance lamps may be mounted at an optional height.

When mounting of front clearance lamps at the highest point of a trailer results in those lamps failing to mark the extreme width of the trailer, they may be mounted at an optional height, but must indicate the extreme width of the trailer.

Clearance lamps on truck tractors shall be so located as to indicate the extreme width of the truck tractor cab.

Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination if illumination is given as required in this subtitle with reference to both. However, no clearance lamp may be combined with any tail lamp or identification lamp.

Every reflector on any vehicle referred to in § 22-208 of this subtitle shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps.

Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides, and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.

Front and rear clearance lamps and identification lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions, at the times lights are required, at all distances between 500 and 50 feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.

Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions, at the times lights are required, at all distances between 500 and 50 feet from the side of the vehicle on which they are mounted.

Any vehicle carrying a load that extends beyond the side or to the rear 4 or more feet beyond the bed or body of the vehicle shall be equipped with the lamps and reflectors required by this section, in addition to other required lamps, at the times specified in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle.

Loads projecting beyond sides of motor vehicles shall be marked as follows:

Motor vehicles carrying loads that extend over 4 feet beyond the rear of the motor vehicle or that have tailboards or tailgates extending over 4 feet beyond the body shall have these projections marked:

On any vehicle with a load that extends beyond either side more than 6 inches or beyond its rear more than 4 feet there shall be displayed at all times, at each point a lamp is required, red or orange-fluorescent warning flags, not less than 18 inches square, marking the extremities of the load.

Every flag shall be so mounted or constructed that its full dimensions are visible at all times.

This section in no way expands the provisions of § 24-103 of this article, or any other provision of law that prohibits certain extensions of loads on vehicles.

This section does not apply to loads consisting of agricultural products, the nature of which would make installation of the required lights and reflectors impractical or unsafe.

Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lamps that, when lighted, display a white or amber light visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle, and a red light visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the rear of the vehicle. The location of the lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle that is closest to passing traffic. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles.

Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped on a roadway, whether attended or unattended, when there is insufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of 1,000 feet on the highway, the vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with and shall display lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, but it is not necessary to display the lamps on a vehicle that is lawfully parked on a part of a roadway that is ordinarily or customarily used for parking vehicles.

All lighted headlamps on a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.

Every farm tractor and every self-propelled unit of farm equipment, at all times mentioned in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, shall be equipped with two single-beam or multiple-beam headlamps meeting the requirements of § 22-222 or § 22-224 of this subtitle, respectively, or, as an alternative, § 22-225 of this subtitle, and at least two red lamps visible when lighted from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear; and at least two red reflectors visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps.

The two red lamps and the two red reflectors required in this section on a self-propelled unit of farm equipment or combination of farm tractor and towed farm equipment shall be positioned to show from the rear as nearly as practicable the extreme width of the vehicle or combination carrying them.

Tail lamps meeting the requirements of § 22-204 of this subtitle; and

Stop lamps and turn signals meeting the requirements of § 22-206 of this subtitle.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp. Every lighted spot lamp shall be aimed and used, on approaching another vehicle, so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle or more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height of not more than 30 inches nor less than 12 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands, and so aimed that, when the vehicle is not loaded, none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, project higher than a level of 4 inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting these requirements may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified in § 22-222(a)(2) of this subtitle.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not more than 42 inches nor less than 16 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. The provisions of § 22-222 of this subtitle apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

The restrictions and limitations of this section do not apply to emergency vehicles.

Every emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this subtitle, shall be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell capable of giving an audible signal.

A police vehicle when used as an emergency vehicle may, but need not be, equipped with the flashing red and/or blue lights specified in this section.

Except as provided in subsection (c)(3) of this section, the flashing lighting described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section may not be used on any vehicle other than an emergency vehicle, service vehicle, or school vehicle.

The use of the signal equipment described in this section imposes on drivers of other vehicles the obligation to yield the right–of–way and stop as required in Title 21 of this article.

On taxicabs, the flashing green lights known as emergency hold–up lights may be mounted on the roof or outside rear and front of the vehicle.

While providing transportation network services, as defined in § 10–101 of the Public Utilities Article, a transportation network operator’s vehicle may be equipped with and display a static red, blue, or other color lighted sign identifying the operator and vehicle as a provider of transportation network services.

Any rural letter carrier’s motor vehicle may be equipped with a warning device for the purpose of warning the drivers of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, and passing, and, when so equipped, may display the device in addition to any other warning signal required or permitted by law.

The warning device shall include two bi-directional lights mounted at each side of the vehicle on the roof, with two amber lenses facing the rear and two amber lenses facing the front.

Each light shall be at least 4 inches in diameter and shall be powered by a bulb of at least 21 candlepower, with reflectorization sufficient to assure visibility for at least 500 feet in front of and to the rear of the vehicle.

The lights shall be wired with one “on-off” switch and one “flashing” switch, which shall activate both lights simultaneously, and which may be wired to operate from the vehicle’s stoplight switch.

Between each light on the assembly of the device a sign shall be mounted with the words “U.S. Mail” in black letters on a white background, facing both to the front and the rear.

The lettering on the sign shall be at least 4 inches in height, and the width of each stroke shall be at least 3/4 of an inch.

The sign shall be constructed to permit it to be folded down out of vision when not in use.

The warning device may be used only during the discharge of a rural letter carrier’s official duties.

Before the first stop on the route and following the last one the lights shall be darkened and the sign folded down out of vision.

The warning device may not be installed or operated until an application has been submitted to and approved by the Administration.

The application shall be made by the individual rural letter carrier on forms furnished by the Administration.

Any vehicle may be equipped with and, when required under the Maryland Vehicle Law, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle, which:

Any vehicle may be equipped with and, when required under § 22-206(b) of this subtitle, shall be equipped with electric turn signals that indicate an intention to turn by flashing lights showing to the front and rear of a vehicle or on a combination of vehicles on the side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made.

The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber.

The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and, when signaling, shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.

Turn signal lamps on vehicles 80 inches or more in overall width shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.

Turn signal lamps on vehicles less than 80 inches wide shall be visible at a distance of not less than 300 feet in normal sunlight.

No lamp may project a glaring or dazzling light.

Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps that:

Any motor vehicle may be equipped on each side of the vehicle with not more than one running–board courtesy lamp that emits a white or amber light without glare.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more backup lamps, either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such backup lamp may not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.

Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps used for the purpose of warning the drivers of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing, and, when so equipped, may display the warning in addition to any other warning signals required by the Maryland Vehicle Law.

The lamps used to display this warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display this warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red.

These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 1,500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.

Every motor vehicle that is registered in this State and that was manufactured or assembled after June 30, 1967, and designated as a 1968 or subsequent year model shall be equipped with these warning lamps by means of which the driver may cause both front and both rear turn signals to flash simultaneously as a vehicular traffic hazard warning.

Any vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width, if not otherwise required by § 22–208 of this subtitle, may be equipped with not more than three identification lamps showing to the front, which emit an amber light without glare, and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear, which emit a red light without glare.

These lamps shall be mounted as specified in § 22–208(c) of this subtitle.

Warning lamps may be used by the operator of any vehicle when the posted speed limit is in excess of 45 miles per hour and the vehicle is traveling at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit, provided that the warning lamps shall be used when required by subsection (k) of this section.

Except as otherwise provided in the Maryland Vehicle Law, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, and the lamps, in addition, may be so arranged that the selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:

Every new motor vehicle shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use, and may not otherwise be lighted.

The indicator shall be so designed and located that, when lighted, it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.

Whenever a motor vehicle is being driven on a roadway or adjacent shoulder during the times specified in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the requirements and limitations of this section.

Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. However, the lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in § 22-222(a)(2) of this subtitle, shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.

Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches another vehicle from the rear, within 300 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this title, other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in § 22-222(a)(1) of this subtitle.

At all times specified in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side, at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, except when the vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.

Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with required headlamps also is equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on its front projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than four of these lamps on the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time when on a highway.

During the times specified in § 22-201.1 of this subtitle, any lighted lamp or illuminating device on a motor vehicle (other than headlamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle and service vehicle warning lamps, and school vehicle warning lamps) that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.

Except as required or permitted in § 22-218 of this subtitle or in the rules governing the operation of emergency vehicles and school vehicles, a person may not drive or move any vehicle or equipment on any highway with any lamp or device on it that displays a red or blue light visible from directly in front of its center.

Flashing lights are prohibited except as required or permitted in the Maryland Vehicle Law.

Except as authorized elsewhere in this subtitle, a person may not drive or move any vehicle or equipment on any highway with any lamp or device on it that displays a white light visible directly from its rear.

Except as authorized elsewhere in this subtitle, a person may not drive or move any vehicle or equipment on any highway while the vehicle or equipment displays any flashing light.

All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the turn signal and hazard warning lamps, which may be red, amber, or yellow, and except that the light illuminating the registration plate shall be white and the light emitted by a backup lamp shall be white.

Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person may not operate any alternately flashing light on any school vehicle except when the school vehicle is stopping or stopped on a roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers.

As to any school vehicle, whenever the vehicle is not being operated on a highway for the transportation of children, students, or teachers for educational purposes or in connection with a school activity:

Except as otherwise provided in this section, every school vehicle driver shall put in operation alternately flashing amber lights not less than 100 feet before bringing the vehicle to a full stop for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, and place into operation the alternately flashing red lights upon stopping.

Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, a driver of a school vehicle shall stop on the roadway to:

A person may not have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use on or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer any headlamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector, which reflector or lamp is required under this title, or parts of any of the foregoing, which tend to change the original design or performance.

A person may not use on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer a headlamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector, which reflector or lamp is required under this title, or parts of any of the foregoing, which tend to change the original design or performance.

A person may not use on any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer any lamp or reflector that tends to change its original design or performance in violation of regulations adopted by the Administrator.

When the Administrator has reason to believe that an approved device, as being sold commercially, does not comply with the requirements of this title, after giving 30 days’ previous notice to the person holding the certificate of approval for the device in this State, he may conduct a hearing on the question of compliance of the approved device. After the hearing, the Administrator shall determine whether the approved device meets the requirements of this title. If the device does not meet the requirements of this title he shall give notice to the person holding the certificate of approval for the device in this State.

If, at the expiration of 90 days after the notice, the person holding the certificate of approval for the device has failed to satisfy the Administrator that the approved device as thereafter to be sold meets the requirements of this title, the Administrator shall suspend or revoke the approval issued for the device until the device is resubmitted to and retested by an authorized testing agency and is found to meet the requirements of this title, and the Administrator may require that all the devices sold since the notification following the hearing be replaced with devices that do comply with the requirements of this title. The Administrator may, at the time of the retest, purchase in the open market and submit to the testing agency one or more sets of the approved devices, and, if the device on the retest fails to meet the requirements of this title, the Administrator may refuse to renew the certificate of approval of the device.