<section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-101" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>The provisions of this subtitle governing size, weight, and load do not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Emergency vehicles;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Farm equipment temporarily moved on a highway;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Vehicles owned by or under contract with the State or a political subdivision of the State when engaged in emergency operations or in snow or ice removal consistent with federal law; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other vehicle driven under the terms and conditions of a permit issued under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not drive on any publicly maintained highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight that exceeds:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The maximum registered weight limit for which the vehicle or combination is registered under § 24–110 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other weight limit established under the Maryland Vehicle Law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not permit to be driven on any publicly maintained highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight that exceeds:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The maximum registered weight limit for which the vehicle or combination is registered under § 24–110 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other weight limit established under the Maryland Vehicle Law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A violation of the maximum weight provisions of this subtitle is not a moving violation for purposes of Title 16, Subtitle 4 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-102" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, for purposes of this section, the width of a vehicle includes any load that it carries and shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as side mirrors, turn signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, flexible fender extensions, mudflaps and spray suppressant devices, and load-induced tire bulges; providing the equipment or device, other than mirrors, does not extend more than 3 inches on each side of the vehicle beyond the statutory width limitation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of this section, the width of a motor home or travel trailer shall be exclusive of retractable awnings installed by the vehicle manufacturer or dealer, provided that the awnings do not extend more than 6 inches from each side of the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to any:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Farm equipment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Vehicle transporting farm equipment; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Vehicle carrying a load of forage crops in connection with harvesting operations, if the distance traveled with the load on the highways in this State is less than 5 miles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a vehicle may not be driven on any highway if the width of the vehicle exceeds 102 inches unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>It has a permit issued by the State Highway Administration under § 24–112 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>As to a highway under the jurisdiction of a local authority, it has special permission from the local authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Highway Administration or a local authority may prohibit the use of a highway or part of a highway under its jurisdiction by a vehicle exceeding a certain width if it finds that a vehicle exceeding a certain width likely would:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Endanger road users;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Cause excessive deterioration to the highway; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Harm property adjacent to the highway.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the State Highway Administration or a local authority imposes a vehicle width restriction under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, it shall place and maintain a sign providing notice of the restriction before the affected location.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-103" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>A passenger-type vehicle may not be driven on any highway while carrying any load that extends beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of the vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A passenger-type vehicle may not be driven on any highway while carrying any load that extends more than 6 inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side of the vehicle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-104" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the height of any vehicle and its load may not exceed 13 feet 6 inches.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, any person responsible for the operation of a vehicle that collides with any bridge having a clearance of less than 13 feet 6 inches shall save the owner of the bridge harmless from any liability for damages proximately caused by the low clearance.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>While a vehicle combination is transporting farm equipment, the overall height of the vehicle combination and its load may extend up to 16 feet if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The vehicle combination is traveling on a highway for a distance not exceeding 75 miles; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The load cannot readily be reduced in height.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any person responsible for the operation of a vehicle combination described in paragraph (1) of this subsection that collides with any bridge, overhead wire, traffic control device, or light, having a clearance of less than 16 feet, shall save the owner of the bridge, wire, traffic control device, or light harmless from any liability for damages proximately caused by the low clearance.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-104.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Automobiles” means all assembled motor vehicles:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Capable of being operated on a highway; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Authorized under this article to be operated on a highway.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Backhaul” means the return trip of a vehicle transporting cargo or general freight, especially when carrying goods back over all or part of the same route.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Maxi–cube vehicle” means a nonarticulating straight truck:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In combination with a semitrailer which does not exceed 34 feet, and is designed to be loaded and unloaded through the semitrailer; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In combination with a trailer that does not exceed 28 feet.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Saddle–mount and full–mount combinations” means a truck tractor or unloaded truck towing one or more other truck tractors or unloaded trucks in combination.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Stinger–steered automobile transporter” means a truck tractor and semitrailer combination:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Designed for the transportation of automobiles or boats; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame behind and below the rear axle of the power unit.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle, the length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Includes its front and rear bumpers and any part of its load that extends beyond the vehicle or combination of vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Nonload–bearing safety and energy conservation devices, such as marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, front–mounted refrigeration units, and front–mounted air compressors; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Nonproperty carrying devices or their components that do not extend more than 24 inches beyond the rear of the vehicle and are needed for loading or unloading cargo.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The measurement of a combination of vehicles engaged in the transportation of automobiles or boats shall not include the overhang of the transported vehicles or boats or any retractable device on the rear of the combination when in use to support a transported vehicle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This section does not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Piling, poles, or mill logs that do not exceed 75 feet in length; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Crew or racing shells.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not prohibit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The use of a combination of vehicles to carry an indivisible load if the load is not over 70 feet long; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A backhaul by an automobile transporter.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A bus, single unit truck, or Class M motor home may not be over 40 feet long; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A publicly owned rigid bus may not be over 41 feet long.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to a publicly owned rigid bus.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A bus or a Class M motor home may be over 40 feet long but may not be over 45 feet long:</text> <level label="i"> <text>When operated on an interstate highway or any part of the State highway system designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the United States Department of Transportation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When operated on a highway that is not specified in item (i) of this paragraph if the bus or motor home is using the highway to travel the shortest practical route between a highway specified in item (i) of this paragraph and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The point of origin or destination of the bus or motor home on a particular day;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A bus terminal; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a distance not to exceed 1 mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, a publicly owned articulated three–axle bus may not be over 60 feet long.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Any other vehicle may not exceed a length of 35 feet.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>When a semitrailer and a trailer (double) are being operated in combination with a truck tractor, the combination of vehicles shall not be subject to an overall length limitation. This combination may only be operated on any part of the interstate system or other State system highways that are designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, or on a highway that is the shortest practical route between a designated highway and a truck terminal, or point of origin/destination for cargo, or for a distance not to exceed 1 mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest. A semitrailer or trailer being operated in this combination may not exceed 28 feet in length for each unit.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>When a semitrailer (single) is being operated in combination with a truck tractor, the combination of vehicles shall not be subject to an overall length limit, however, the semitrailer may not exceed 48 feet in length.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, and subject to § 24–105 of this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>In a combination of vehicles with a power unit that is a cargo–carrying vehicle, the overall length of the combination may not exceed 62 feet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other combination of vehicles may not exceed 55 feet; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>A truck or truck tractor and semitrailer combination designed for and engaged in the transportation of automobiles or boats may not exceed 65 feet in length;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A stinger–steered automobile transporter may not exceed 80 feet in length;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="A"> <text>A maxi–cube vehicle described in subsection (a)(4)(i) of this section may not exceed 65 feet in length; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>A maxi–cube vehicle described in subsection (a)(4)(ii) of this section may not exceed 60 feet in length; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Saddle–mount and full–mount combinations may not exceed 97 feet in length;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>No other length requirements may be applied to the combinations of vehicles described in item (i) of this item; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The combinations of vehicles described in item (i) of this item may only be operated on any part of the interstate system or other State system highways that are designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, or on a highway that is the shortest practical route between a designated highway and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A truck terminal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A point of origin/destination for cargo; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a distance not to exceed 1 mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="j–1"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (j) of this section, when a semitrailer is being operated in combination with a power unit that is equipped with a dromedary box being used to transport explosives and munitions classified under 49 C.F.R. Part 173.50 that are intended for use by the United States Department of Defense, the combination of vehicles is not subject to an overall length limit, but the semitrailer may not exceed 48 feet in length.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (h) of this section, nothing shall prevent the operation of a combination of vehicles in which the semitrailer (single) does not exceed 48 1/2 feet in length or a combination of vehicles in which the semitrailer or trailer (double) does not exceed 28 1/2 feet in length for each unit; provided, the combination has been lawfully operated on the highways of this State prior to December 1, 1982.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (j)(1) of this section, nothing shall prevent a power unit, which was equipped with a dromedary box, deck, or plate and was legally operated in Maryland prior to December 1, 1982, in combination with a semitrailer or trailer from exceeding the overall length limit of 55 feet.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “vehicle” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A semitrailer as defined in § 11–158 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A trailer as defined in § 11–169 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding the overall length of the combination, a truck tractor may not be operated on a highway in the State in combination with more than 2 vehicles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a combination of noncommercial vehicles consisting of a power unit and a travel trailer may not exceed 65 feet in length.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The combination of vehicles exceeding 55 feet but authorized under this subsection may only be operated on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any part of the interstate system or other State system highways that are designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A highway that is the shortest practical route between a designated highway and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A point of origin or destination on a particular day; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a distance not to exceed 1 mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-104.2" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title and subject to § 24–104.1 of this subtitle and subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, a person may operate a semitrailer (single) in combination with a truck tractor that exceeds 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A vehicle combination described under subsection (a) of this section may be operated only on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Those parts of the national interstate highway system and those State highways that are designated by the Secretary, after consultation with either the county executive, the county commissioners, the County Council of Talbot County or Wicomico County, or the Mayor of Baltimore City, or their designees, as appropriate;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except in Baltimore City, a highway, authorized by the Secretary, that is the shortest practical access route between a highway designated under item (i) of this paragraph and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A truck terminal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A port;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A point of origin or destination; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For a distance not to exceed one-half mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In Baltimore City, a street authorized by the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee in conjunction with the Secretary that is the safest practical route between a highway designated under item (i) of this paragraph and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A truck terminal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A port facility;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A point of origin; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A point of destination.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations establishing designated highways, a method for approving access routes, and other criteria necessary to implement this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A vehicle combination operating under this section may operate in this State only under the following conditions:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The wheelbase of the semitrailer, measured as the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear tandem axles, may not exceed 41 feet in length.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The kingpin setback, measured as the distance from the kingpin to the front of the semitrailer, may not exceed 4 feet in length.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The rear overhang, measured as the distance from the center of the rear tandem axles to the rear of the semitrailer, may not exceed 35 percent of the wheelbase of the semitrailer.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The width of the semitrailer shall be at least 96 inches and not more than 102 inches.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The distance between the outside edges of the semitrailer’s tires shall be equal to the width of the semitrailer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The semitrailer shall be equipped with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Vehicle lights which comply with or exceed federal standards; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>After December 31, 1993, or a date established by the Secretary that is at least 6 months after the effective date of the applicable federal standards, whichever is later, reflective material that is consistent with the standards for conspicuity promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The semitrailer shall be equipped with a rear underride guard of sufficient strength to prevent a motor vehicle from penetrating underneath the semitrailer. The rear underride guard shall extend across the rear of the semitrailer to within 4 inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer, and placed at a height not exceeding 22 inches from the surface as measured when the semitrailer is on a level surface.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Conspicuous warnings shall be displayed on the semitrailer, in a manner prescribed by the Administration, indicating that the vehicle combination has a wide turning radius.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if the Secretary determines that the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are violated by a substantial number of persons or if specific provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are held invalid by a binding determination of the Federal Highway Administration or a court of competent jurisdiction:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Department, after a public hearing, may issue a special permit to allow a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck tractor, to exceed 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not drive or permit to be driven on any publicly maintained highway a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck tractor, that exceeds 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet, unless a valid special permit issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection or a facsimile of a valid special permit is carried in or on the vehicle combination; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary may adopt regulations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>That are consistent with the standards established in this section, for the issuance of permits for vehicle combinations described under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That exempt from the requirements of, or provide alternative requirements to, subsection (c) of this section for a vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1991, if the vehicle cannot meet the requirements.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A special permit issued under subsection (d)(1) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May be issued without a fee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May be a renewable blanket permit; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall expire on a date determined by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-105" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any vehicle carrying wooden prefabricated roof trusses in an inverted position, if the trusses do not extend more than 10 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A combination of vehicles carrying an indivisible load if the load is not over 70 feet long, and the load is being transported during daylight hours;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any vehicle carrying:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Piling, poles, or mill logs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Nursery stock; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Crew or racing shells; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any combination of vehicles carrying:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Piling, poles, or mill logs that do not exceed 75 feet in length;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Nursery stock; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Crew or racing shells.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the maximum length limits of § 24–104.1 of this subtitle, the load on any vehicle operated alone or the load on the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in items (2) and (3) of this subsection, may not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of the vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of a vehicle equipped with front–end loading attachments and containers used in collecting garbage, rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials when the vehicle is actively engaged in collecting garbage, rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>May not extend more than 4 feet beyond the foremost part of a stinger–steered automobile transporter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, and subject to the maximum length limits of § 24–104.1 of this subtitle, the load on any vehicle operated alone or the load on the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles, including a stinger–steered automobile transporter, may not extend more than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>This subparagraph does not apply to a stinger–steered automobile transporter.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The load on the rear of an automobile or boat transporter, including any retractable device on the rear of a combination of vehicles engaged in the transportation of automobiles in use to support a transported vehicle, may not extend more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the permanent bed or body of the vehicle; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A red or orange fluorescent warning flag made of a reflective material at least 18 inches square shall be displayed on the rearmost portion of the overhanging transported vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-106" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>This section and § 24-106.1 of this subtitle do not prohibit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Dropping sand, abrasives, chemicals, or other materials to improve traction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Spreading water or other substance to construct, clean or maintain a highway; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Dropping asphalt or other materials for highway, bridge, storm drain, or utility construction or repair.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A vehicle with any load may not be driven on any highway unless the vehicle is constructed or loaded to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A vehicle with any load may not be driven on any highway unless the load and any covering on the load are fastened securely to prevent the load or covering from becoming loose or detached or from in any way endangering other users of the highway.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section does not apply to agricultural products in their natural state or residue developed from processing vegetable agricultural products that can be used as feed for animals and that are being transported to a farm. This provision, however, does not prevent the enforcement of any rule or regulation promulgated by the Department of the Environment for the control of air pollution.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The owner of a vehicle from which dirt, debris, or agricultural products has fallen on any highway is responsible for removing that dirt, debris, or agricultural products within a reasonable time.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-106.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>“Loose material” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Dirt, sand, gravel, wood chips, or other material that can blow, fall, or spill from a vehicle as a result of movement or of exposure to air, wind, or weather; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any other kind of material that can blow, fall, or spill, as specified in rules and regulations adopted by the Administrator; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Loose material” does not include agricultural products, including sod, in their natural state.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, in violation of this section, carry any loose material in any vehicle on or across any highway in this State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not, in violation of this section, load any loose material for carrying in any vehicle on or across any highway in this State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, the bed of the vehicle carrying a load of loose material shall be fully enclosed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On both sides, by sideboards or sidepanels;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On the front, by a board or panel or by the cab of the vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>On the rear, by a tailgate, board, or panel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The enclosures required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be constructed so as to prevent any part of the load from blowing, falling, or spilling out of the vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>No part of the load touching any of these enclosures may be within 6 inches of the top of the part of the enclosure that it touches, unless the load is covered with a firmly secured canvas or similar type covering.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the vehicle manufacturer’s original design specifications for bed enclosures have been altered to increase the vehicle’s load capacity, no part of the load touching any of these enclosures may be within 6 inches of the top of the part of the enclosure that it touches and the highest point of the load may not be higher than any of these enclosures, unless the load is covered with a canvas or other type cover approved by the Administration that is secured as provided in subsection (e)(3) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not apply to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any load-carrying vehicle with a compartment that fully encloses the load; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A vehicle in which the load is suitably covered or secured by other means that prevent the escape of the loose material.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The provisions of this subsection do not apply to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any Class K (farm area) vehicle as defined in § 13–935 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any Class E (truck) vehicle registered or capable of being registered under § 13–917 of this article if the vehicle manufacturer’s original design specifications for bed enclosures have not been altered to increase the vehicle’s load capacity;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any construction vehicle working within the confines of a public works construction project site as outlined in the construction project’s plans and specifications, provided the distance traveled does not exceed 1 mile or the distance specified in an extension granted under subsection (g) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any construction vehicle or mining equipment while crossing a highway between construction or mining sites;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any Class G (trailer) vehicle registered or capable of being registered under § 13–927 of this article, provided no part of the load is higher than 6 inches below the top of any of the enclosures required under subsection (d)(1) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Within the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore for a distance not to exceed 1 mile, any vehicle carrying a load of loose material between a stockpile or storage facility and a vessel docked at the port.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A vehicle carrying a load of loose material shall have its bed fully enclosed on the top by a canvas or other type cover approved by the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any cover required under this section shall be secured in a manner to prevent:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any part of the load from blowing, falling, or spilling out of the vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The cover from blowing off the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to any construction vehicle or mining equipment that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is moving between construction barricades on a public works project; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Only is crossing a highway.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A vehicle used for carrying loose material may not be operated on any highway unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>All spillage from loading loose material is removed from the nonload-carrying parts of the vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Whether the vehicle is loaded or empty, the tailgate is closed securely to prevent spillage of a load or of any residue;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The bed does not have any holes, cracks, or openings through which loose material can escape; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>After unloading loose material, all residue is removed from the nonload-carrying parts of the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Upon application by the supervisor of a construction project of the Department, the Department may grant a reasonable extension of the 1-mile limitation established in subsection (e)(1)(iii) of this section if the Department determines that the extension request meets the criteria developed under paragraph (2) of this subsection and the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations establishing criteria for granting an extension under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In adopting regulations under this subsection, the Administration shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The size of the construction project;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The likely adverse impact that granting the extension will have on surrounding highways and motorist safety; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The likely adverse impact of the cover requirement on construction costs and timely completion of the project.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An extension granted under this subsection may not exceed the confines of the Department’s construction project.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-106.2" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>A vehicle or combination of vehicles used to carry piling, poles, mill logs, unfinished or unfabricated lumber, pipe, steel, or other materials of a similar kind, size, shape, or characteristic may not be driven on any highway unless its load is fastened securely to both the front and rear of the vehicle at both the front and rear of the load, as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The fastening of a load to a vehicle shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>By two separate common coil B.B. chains, the links of which may not be less than:</text> <level label="i"> <text>3/8 of an inch in diameter for loads of 3 tons or less; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>1/2 of an inch in diameter for loads over 3 tons;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If they have at least as much tensile strength as the chains, by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Wire rope not less than 5/16 of an inch in diameter;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Steel strapping; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Logistic webbing of synthetic fibers; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>As specified in Part 393 of the federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and adopted jointly by the Administration and the Department of State Police.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-106.3" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <text>The owner of the vehicle, if present in the vehicle, or, in his absence, the driver of the vehicle is presumed to be responsible for any violation of §§ 24-106 through 24-106.2 of this subtitle, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The violation is caused by an occupant of the vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The vehicle has two or more occupants; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>It cannot be determined which occupant is the violator.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-107" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Primary connecting system” means the combination of devices and their attaching structures that are used to connect a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Safety chain” means a flexible tension member connected from the front of the towed vehicle to the rear of the towing vehicle for the purpose of retaining the connection between the towed and towing vehicles if the connection provided by the primary connecting system fails.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Tow dolly” means a vehicle having a tongue or towbar attachment designed to tow other vehicles and used to tow:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Another vehicle when the front or rear wheels of the towed vehicle are placed in a cradle–like device that lifts the wheels from the highway; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A trailer or semitrailer when the towing vehicle has a fifth–wheel attachment device.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Towbar” means a strut or column–like device temporarily attached between the rear of a towing vehicle and the front of the towed vehicle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When towing another vehicle, the driver shall ensure that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The towed vehicle is securely attached to the towing vehicle by a primary connecting system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The connection used is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Structurally adequate for the weight drawn; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Mounted properly and securely, without excessive slack, but with enough slack to allow for articulation of the connection;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The locking device that prevents separation of the towed and towing vehicles is working properly and is locked in place; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>One or more safety chains are attached to the towed vehicle and the frame of the towing vehicle and have no more slack than is necessary for proper turning.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Attachment of the safety chains to the pintle hook does not satisfy the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except for the connection between any two vehicles carrying poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects that cannot be readily dismembered, the connection between vehicles may not exceed 15 feet.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A connection made with a fifth–wheel connection device is not required to use safety chains or cables as additional securing devices.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If a vehicle is towed by a rope, chain, or cable, a driver must be in and capable of steering the towed vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A primary connecting system used in a combination of vehicles shall be designed, constructed, and installed to insure that a towed vehicle does not shift or swerve more than 6 inches to either side of the path of the towing vehicle while the towing vehicle is moving in a straight line on a level, smooth, paved surface.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>While one vehicle is towing another and the connection is a chain, rope, or cable, a white, red, or orange–fluorescent warning flag or cloth at least 18 inches square shall be displayed on the connection.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, or when one tow dolly is used to tow one other vehicle, a vehicle may not be operated in combination with more than one other vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>The Administration may adopt regulations that establish standards for hitching devices and towing procedures for towing and towed vehicles.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, this subsection applies to tractor–trailer combinations, semitrailer combinations, and any other vehicle combinations designed and used for carrying freight or merchandise in furtherance of any commercial enterprise.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section that results in the death or, as defined in § 20–102(c) of this article, serious bodily injury of another person is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-108" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and except as otherwise provided in this section, the gross weight imposed on the ground surface by the wheels of an axle of a vehicle may not exceed the following limits:</text> <text>Single Axle Weight</text> <text>Registered Gross Gross</text> <text>Weight of Vehicle Maximum</text> <text>(in Pounds) Weight</text> <text>(in Pounds)</text> <text>Single axle 73,000 or less 22,400</text> <text>Single axle More than 73,000 20,000</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except for vehicles operated under a permit issued under § 24–112 of this subtitle, the gross weight imposed on the ground surface by the wheels of a front axle of a vehicle combination may not exceed either the lesser of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The sum of the rated load capacities for each tire on the axle, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The sum of the rated load capacities indicated by the manufacturer as to each tire on the axle with which the vehicle is currently equipped.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, any vehicle with a gross maximum weight in excess of 73,000 pounds may travel only on State highways, except while making a delivery or pickup, and then only when traveling by the shortest available legal route to or from the State highway for the purpose of making such delivery or pickup. In Baltimore City, the shortest available legal route shall be only on designated truck routes.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If approved by the local governing body and the State Highway Administration, in Dorchester County, a vehicle with a gross maximum weight in excess of 73,000 pounds may use the Linkwood Road when traveling between East New Market and Linkwood.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>The County Commissioners of Garrett County may, by ordinance, establish the authorized gross maximum weight of a vehicle that:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Has at least 6 axles;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Is a truck tractor and semitrailer combination; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Is using any part of Table Rock Road and Wilson Run Road in Garrett County that is owned and maintained by the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The gross maximum weight established under this subparagraph may not exceed 87,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>In Washington County, if approved by the county governing body, a vehicle with a gross maximum weight not exceeding 95,000 pounds may use Warfordsburg Road from the Lanco–Pennland Dairy Cooperative cheese factory located at 14738 Warfordsburg Road to the Maryland–Pennsylvania border.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except on interstate highways, a vehicle carrying farm products as defined under § 10–601 of the Agriculture Article or forest products that have been loaded in fields or other off–highway locations is permitted an axle load limit tolerance of 10 percent.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County, garbage and refuse trucks that make collections on a fixed route and are owned by or doing business with any governmental entity in the respective county are permitted rear axle load limit tolerances of 10 percent if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The overweight is due to bad weather; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The truck does not exceed its registered gross weight limit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A privately owned truck is permitted this tolerance only while actually engaged in the business of the governmental entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Any over–the–road bus or any vehicle that is regularly and exclusively used as an intrastate public agency transit passenger bus may not exceed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A single axle weight limit of 24,000 pounds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The tire manufacturer’s rated load capacity for any tire on the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-109" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Single axle weight” means the total weight transmitted by all wheels whose centers may be included between 2 parallel transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart extending across the full width of the vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Tandem axle weight” means the total weight transmitted to the road by 2 or more consecutive axles whose centers may be included between parallel vertical planes spaced more than 40 inches apart but not more than 96 inches apart extending across the full width of the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An over–the–road bus or any vehicle that is regularly and exclusively used as an intrastate public agency passenger bus:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is exempt from tandem axle weight limits provided in this section; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall comply with the vehicle and combination of vehicles weight limits provided in this section that are not tandem axle weight limits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the overall gross weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles may not exceed an amount produced by application of the following formula:</text> <text>( LN )</text> <text>W = 500 ( –––––––––––––– + 12N + 36 )</text> <text>( N – 1 )</text> <text>where “W” = overall gross weight on any group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, “L” = distance in feet measured horizontally between the vertical centerlines of the extreme of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and “N” = number of axles in group under consideration, except that 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more; provided, that such overall gross weight may not exceed eighty thousand (80,000) pounds, including any enforcement or statutory tolerances.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The following table indicates the permissible overall gross weights based upon the above formula:</text> <text>Distance in </text> <text>feet between </text> <text>the extremes of</text> <text>any group of 2 </text> <text>or more </text> <text>consecutive</text> <text>axles 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 axles 6 axles 7 axles</text> <text>4 34,000</text> <text>5 34,000</text> <text>6 34,000</text> <text>7 34,000</text> <text>8</text> <text>and less 34,000 34,000</text> <text>More than</text> <text>8 38,000 42,000</text> <text>75,000 39,000 42,500</text> <text>10 40,000 43,500</text> <text>11 44,000</text> <text>12 45,000 50,000</text> <text>13 45,500 50,500</text> <text>14 46,500 51,500</text> <text>15 47,000 52,000</text> <text>16 48,000 52,500 58,000</text> <text>17 48,500 53,500 58,500</text> <text>18 49,500 54,000 59,000</text> <text>19 50,000 54,500 60,000</text> <text>20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000</text> <text>21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500</text> <text>22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000</text> <text>23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000</text> <text>24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500 74,000</text> <text>25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000 74,500</text> <text>26 55,500 59,500 64,000 69,500</text> <text>27 56,000 60,000 65,000 70,000 75,500</text> <text>28 57,000 60,500 65,500 71,000 76,500</text> <text>29 57,500 61,500 66,000 71,500 77,000</text> <text>30 58,500 62,000 66,500 72,000 77,500</text> <text>31 59,000 62,500 67,500 72,500 78,000</text> <text>32 60,000 63,500 68,000 72,500 78,500</text> <text>33 64,000 68,500 74,000 79,000</text> <text>34 64,500 69,000 74,500 80,000</text> <text>35 65,500 70,000 75,000</text> <text>36 Exception</text> <text>See</text> <text>subsection</text> <level label="c"> <text>,</text> <text>This</text> <text>section (66,000) 70,500 75,500</text> <text>37 (66,500) 71,000 76,000</text> <text>38 (67,500) 72,000 77,000</text> <text>39 68,000 72,500 77,500</text> <text>40 68,500 73,000 78,000</text> <text>41 69,500 73,500 78,500</text> <text>42 70,000 74,000 79,000</text> <text>43 70,500 75,000 80,000</text> <text>44 71,500 75,500</text> <text>45 72,000 76,000</text> <text>46 72,500 76,500</text> <text>47 73,500 77,500</text> <text>48 74,000 78,000</text> <text>49 74,500 78,500</text> <text>50 75,500 79,000</text> <text>51 76,000 80,000</text> <text>52 76,500</text> <text>53 77,500</text> <text>54 78,000</text> <text>55 78,500</text> <text>56 79,500</text> <text>57 80,000</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed the following limits:</text> <text>Gross</text> <text>Number of weight</text> <text>axles (in pounds)</text> <text>Three or less 55,000</text> <text>Four 66,000</text> <text>Five as provided for in § 13–916 or § 13–923 of this</text> <text>article 80,000</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A trailer with metal tires and a gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds may not be moved on a highway.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Except on interstate highways, a single unit vehicle with 3 axles, or a combination of vehicles with a trailer less than 32 feet long or a semitrailer less than 45 feet long, either registered as a farm vehicle or carrying farm products as defined under § 10–601 of the Agriculture Article that were loaded in fields or other off–highway locations, is permitted an axle load limit tolerance of 5% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section, except during harvest time when an axle load limit tolerance of 15% or, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a gross vehicle weight tolerance of 5% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section is permitted for a vehicle carrying the following agricultural products:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Wheat, for the period from June 1 to August 15;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Corn, for the period from July 1 to December 1;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Soybeans, for the period from September 1 to December 31; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Vegetable crops, for the period from June 1 to October 31.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The harvest time gross vehicle weight limit tolerance of 5% under paragraph (1) of this subsection applies only to a vehicle traveling within 100 miles of the field or other off–highway location where the vehicle was loaded.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except on interstate highways, a single unit vehicle with at least 3 axles or a combination of vehicles with a trailer length of less than 32 feet carrying forest products that have been loaded in forests or other similar off–highway locations is permitted an axle load limit tolerance of 10% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section, except for the period from June 1 through September 30 when an axle load limit tolerance of 15% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section is permitted.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except on interstate highways, a combination of vehicles with a semitrailer length of 45 feet or less carrying forest products that have been loaded in forests or other similar off–highway locations is permitted an axle load limit tolerance of 5% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section, except for the period from June 1 through September 30 when an axle load limit tolerance of 15% from subsections (c) and (d) of this section is permitted.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Any vehicle that uses an auxiliary power unit or an idle–reduction technology unit in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions from engine idling shall be allowed up to an additional 550 pounds total in gross, axle, tandem, or bridge formula weight limits.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To be eligible for the additional weight limit allowed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the vehicle operator must:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Obtain and make available to law enforcement officers written certification of the weight of the auxiliary power unit or idle–reduction technology unit; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>By demonstration or certification, prove that the idle–reduction technology unit is fully functional at all times.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The additional weight limit allowed under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not exceed the certified weight of the auxiliary power unit or idle–reduction technology unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the gross vehicle weight of a vehicle for which a permit is issued under § 24–113.3 of this subtitle for traveling along a designated heavy weight port corridor may not exceed 100,000 pounds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-110" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Before registering any bus, truck, truck tractor, trailer, or semitrailer, the Administration may require any information and make any investigations or tests necessary to determine whether the vehicle may be operated safely on the highways in compliance with this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administration shall register the vehicle for a maximum permissible gross weight within the limitations set forth in this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The registration card for each vehicle specified in subsection (a) of this section shall show the gross weight for which the vehicle is registered. If the registered vehicle is a motor vehicle to be used in combination with other vehicles, the registration card also shall show separately the total permissible gross weight of the combination of vehicles.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administration may issue a special plate that shows the gross weight or weights for which a vehicle or combination of vehicles is registered. If issued, the plate shall be attached to and displayed at all times on the vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-111" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section and in § 24–111.1 of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“CVISN” means the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Network, a motor carrier program managed by the Department, together with other State agencies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“CVISN transponder” means an electronic device acquired by motor carriers to allow electronic signaling through CVISN.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Police officer” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any uniformed police officer;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any civilian employee of the Department of State Police or the Maryland Transportation Authority Police assigned to enforce this subtitle, but only while acting under written authorization of the Secretary of State Police; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any civilian employee of a local government who is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Acting under the immediate direction and control of a uniformed police officer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Acting under written authorization of the Secretary of State Police; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Certified by the Department of State Police to perform the weighing and measurement authorized under this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The driver of a vehicle must stop and submit the vehicle to a measurement or weighing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>When directed by a police officer who has reason to believe that the size or weight of a vehicle being driven on a highway violates this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When directed by an electronic signal to a CVISN transponder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The weighing authorized by this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May be done with either portable or stationary scales; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In either case, shall be done by methods established by experts in the field of weights and measures and adopted by rule or regulation of the Department of State Police.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If more than 1 statutory weight limit tolerance applies to a vehicle being weighed under this section, the police officer shall grant only the greatest applicable tolerance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The operation of a vehicle on any highway in this State constitutes the consent of the driver and the owner of the vehicle to the measurement and weighing provided for in this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The driver of a vehicle shall obey every sign and every direction of a police officer or an electronic signal to a CVISN transponder to stop the vehicle and submit it to measurement or weighing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a driver fails or refuses to comply with the direction of a police officer or an electronic signal to a CVISN transponder to submit a vehicle to measurement or weighing, the police officer shall have the authority to take the vehicle and its load into temporary custody for the purpose of weighing and measuring.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The police officer may utilize resources specified in § 16–303.1(b) of this article to conduct the weighing or measuring.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In addition to any fine or penalty attributable to the weighing and measuring, or other offense, the driver is responsible for any actual costs incurred in weighing and measuring the vehicle and its load because of the driver’s failure or refusal to comply with the direction of a police officer or an electronic signal to a CVISN transponder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A sign used to direct vehicles under this section may be displayed only by a police officer who is assigned to enforce this title.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of subsection (d) or (e) of this section is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a second offense, a fine not exceeding $2,000; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a third or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $3,000.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-111.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, as to any vehicle found to exceed the weight limits permitted under this subtitle, if the overweight does not exceed 5,000 pounds, a police officer may require the driver to unload the excess weight.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, as to any vehicle found to exceed the weight limits permitted under this subtitle, if the overweight exceeds 5,000 pounds, the vehicle may not be moved until the excess weight is unloaded.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except on interstate highways, if an overweight vehicle bears registration plates issued by this State and is transporting liquid milk in bulk from the producer, the vehicle may be granted a 5 percent tolerance on the applicable registration or statutory gross weight limit. However, a tolerance granted under this subsection may not permit the gross weight of the vehicle to exceed 80,000 pounds.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>As to an overweight vehicle carrying an indivisible load:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If it is the first indivisible load overweight violation by the driver of the vehicle, the vehicle may be allowed to proceed, after a permit to do so is obtained from the State Highway Administration; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If it is a second or subsequent indivisible load overweight violation by the driver of the vehicle, the vehicle shall return with its load to its place of entry or origin in this State, after a permit to do so is obtained from the State Highway Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>As to an overweight vehicle carrying perishable products as its only load, the vehicle shall be allowed to proceed to its destination if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>It is the first perishable load overweight violation by the driver of the vehicle following a period of at least 365 consecutive days without a perishable load overweight violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The overweight does not exceed 5,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>All material or cargo unloaded under this section shall be cared for by the motor carrier or operator of the vehicle at the risk of the motor carrier or operator.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of subsection (b), (d)(2), or (e) of this section is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a second offense, a fine not exceeding $2,000; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a third or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $3,000.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-111.2" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <text>The Department of State Police shall maintain at least five vehicle weighing and measuring stations. At least one of these stations shall be on United States Route I-95.</text> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-111.3" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Local government agency” means an agency of a local jurisdiction that is authorized to issue a citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Local jurisdiction” means a county or municipal corporation.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In Baltimore County, “owner” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A motor vehicle rental or leasing company; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The holder of an interchangeable registration under Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Recorded image” means an image recorded by a vehicle height monitoring system:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A photograph;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A microphotograph;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An electronic image;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Videotape; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other medium; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Showing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The front or side of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At least two time–stamped images of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that include the same stationary object near the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On at least one image or portion of tape, a clear and legible identification of the entire registration plate number of the motor vehicle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Vehicle height monitoring system” means a device with one or more motor vehicle sensors that is capable of producing recorded images of vehicles whose height exceeds a predetermined limit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, and Prince George’s County.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A vehicle height monitoring system may be used to record images of vehicles traveling on a highway in a local jurisdiction under this section only if the use of vehicle height monitoring systems is authorized by local law adopted by the governing body of the local jurisdiction after reasonable notice and a public hearing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before a local jurisdiction places or installs a vehicle height monitoring system at a particular location, it shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Conduct an analysis to determine the appropriateness of the location; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Obtain the approval of the chief official of the local government agency or the chief official’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Before activating a vehicle height monitoring system, a local jurisdiction shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Publish notice of the location of the vehicle height monitoring system on its website and in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Ensure that all signs stating restrictions on the presence of certain vehicles during certain times approaching and within the segment of highway on which the vehicle height monitoring system is located include signs that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are in accordance with the manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices adopted by the State Highway Administration under § 25–104 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Indicate that a vehicle height monitoring system is in use.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A vehicle height monitoring system operator shall fill out and sign a daily set–up log for a vehicle height monitoring system that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>States that the operator successfully performed the manufacturer–specified self–test of the vehicle height monitoring system before producing a recorded image;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall be kept on file; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless the driver of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles received a citation from a police officer at the time of the violation, the owner of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is subject to a civil penalty if the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is recorded by a vehicle height monitoring system while being operated in violation of a State or local law restricting the presence of certain vehicles during certain times.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For a second violation by the owner of the motor vehicle, $250; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For a third or subsequent violation by the owner of the motor vehicle, $500.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A uniform citation form consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a local government agency or, in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall mail to an owner liable under this section a citation that shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name and address of the registered owner of the motor vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The registration number of the motor vehicle involved in the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The violation charged;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The location at which the violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The date and time of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>A copy of the recorded image;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which the civil penalty should be paid;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>A signed statement by a duly authorized law enforcement officer commissioned by the local government agency that, based on inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles was being operated in violation of a State or local law restricting the presence of certain vehicles during certain times;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>A statement that the recorded image is evidence of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Information advising the owner alleged to be liable under this section of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the citation may be contested in the District Court; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Information advising the owner alleged to be liable under this section that failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A local government agency or, in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall, for a first violation, mail a warning notice instead of a citation to an owner liable under this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A citation issued under this section shall be mailed no later than 30 days after the alleged violation.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person who receives a citation under this section may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Pay the civil penalty, in accordance with instructions on the citation, directly to the local jurisdiction; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Elect to stand trial in the District Court for the alleged violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>To mail the citation or warning notice, a local government agency or, in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall use:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The current mailing address on file with the Administration; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a mailing address is unavailable, the current residential address on file with the Administration.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>A certificate alleging that a violation of a State or local law restricting the presence of certain vehicles during certain times occurred and that the requirements under subsections (c) and (d) of this section have been affirmed by a duly authorized law enforcement officer commissioned by a local government agency, based on inspection of the recorded image produced by the vehicle height monitoring system, shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Evidence of the facts contained in the certificate; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Admissible in a proceeding alleging a violation under this section without the presence or testimony of the vehicle height monitoring system operator.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a person who received a citation under this section desires the vehicle height monitoring system operator to be present and testify at trial, the person shall notify the court and the State in writing no later than 20 days before trial.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Adjudication of liability shall be based on a preponderance of evidence.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The District Court may consider in defense of a violation:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle or the registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any other issues and evidence that the District Court deems pertinent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation, the owner shall submit proof that a police report regarding the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 16–402 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record of the owner of the vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>May not be treated as a parking violation for purposes of § 26–305 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance coverage.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>In consultation with the appropriate local government agency, the Chief Judge of the District Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, the trial of civil violations, and the collection of civil penalties under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The standards and requirements for the use, processing, and disposal of recorded images and associated data established under § 12–113.1 of this article apply to citations issued under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>A local government agency or, in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, or a contractor designated by the local government agency or, in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, shall administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the District Court.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a contractor operates a vehicle height monitoring system on behalf of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on the number of citations issued or paid.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only in Baltimore County and Harford County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the installation of any vehicle height monitoring systems, the governing body of the local jurisdiction shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish a workgroup including commercial transportation industry representatives to assist the local government in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Evaluating existing truck routes;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identifying areas for vehicle height monitoring enforcement; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Evaluating existing signage and identifying locations where signage could be improved; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Adopt a local law limiting the overall number of vehicle height monitoring systems that may be placed in the local jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The governing body of the local jurisdiction may adopt a local law exempting certain vehicles from the enforcement of height restrictions by a vehicle height monitoring system in the local jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only in Prince George’s County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the installation of any vehicle height monitoring systems, the governing body of Prince George’s County and the President of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association shall jointly establish a workgroup to assist in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Identifying the entity responsible for the installation costs, collection of revenue, and distribution of revenue relating to vehicle height monitoring enforcement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Evaluating existing signage and identifying any locations where signage could be improved;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Determining the overall number of vehicle height monitoring systems that may be placed within a municipal corporation; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Clarifying which vehicles may be exempt from enforcement of height restrictions.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only in Prince George’s County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the installation of any vehicle height monitoring systems, the governing body of the local jurisdiction shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish a workgroup including commercial transportation industry representatives to assist the local government in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Evaluating existing truck routes;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identifying areas for vehicle height monitoring enforcement; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Evaluating existing signage and identifying locations where signage could be improved; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Adopt a local law limiting the overall number of vehicle height monitoring systems that may be placed in the local jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The governing body of the local jurisdiction may adopt a local law exempting certain vehicles from the enforcement of height restrictions by a vehicle height monitoring system in the local jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-112" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Highway Administration may issue a permit allowing an oversized vehicle to use the highways in this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each permit issued under this subsection, the State Highway Administration shall charge a fee of not less than $30.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Highway Administration may issue a permit allowing an overweight vehicle to use the highways in this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each permit issued under this subsection, the State Highway Administration shall charge a fee of not less than:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$30 for the first 45 tons (90,000 pounds) or less of gross weight of the vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$5 for each additional ton (2,000 pounds) or part of a ton in excess of 45 tons.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees for permits issued under this section using dollar amounts that will recover but not exceed the administrative costs associated with issuance and use of the permits, including compliance monitoring.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each permit issued under this section shall specify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The maximum size or weight permitted;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The route to be followed; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The date and hour on which the trip is to be made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not violate any condition of a permit issued under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not move an oversized or overweight load which requires a permit under this section without first obtaining the permit and having the permit in the person’s possession.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For the first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a second offense, a fine not exceeding $2,000; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a third or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $3,000.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-112.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Highway Administration may enter into reciprocal agreements on behalf of this State, with the duly authorized agents of any other state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States or Canada, or the District of Columbia, that provide for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Issuing permits for nondivisable loads of overweight or oversize vehicles involved in interstate commerce;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Collecting permit fees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The disbursement of funds collected by the State Highway Administration which are due to other states or jurisdictions based on the respective permit fees charged in those states or jurisdictions; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Receiving funds from other states or jurisdictions for permit fees collected on behalf of this State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Highway Administration may not enter into any reciprocal agreement that would affect this State’s permit fees or conflict with any provisions of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In exercising the authority granted under this section, the State Highway Administration may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Enter into regional or national permit agreements pertaining to overweight or oversize vehicles involved in interstate commerce;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conduct audits to assure compliance with any permit agreement entered into under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Enforce the provisions set forth in any permit agreement entered into under this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-113" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>The purpose of this section is to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Facilitate the obtaining of permits;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Eliminate undue hardships to political subdivisions, contractors, and the movers of heavy or large equipment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Make possible, when circumstances justify, the issuing of permits under which more than one move can be made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Highway Administration and the Department of State Police jointly may formulate rules and regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Implement the statutes on the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish fees and charges under these statutes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Before a rule or regulation may be adopted or amended under this section, the State Highway Administration shall hold a public hearing on it.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the hearing, the State Highway Administration may adopt the proposed rule, regulation, or amendment or any appropriate modification to it.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-113.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, and subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Secretary, by regulation, may determine that a combination of vehicles carrying manifested international freight as the only load of the vehicle in a sealed, seagoing container on a semitrailer is carrying an indivisible load provided that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A vehicle issued a permit under this section may not exceed 22,400 pounds gross maximum weight for a single axle, 44,000 pounds gross maximum weight for 2 consecutive axles, or 90,000 pounds gross maximum weight; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A vehicle issued a permit under this section may be operated only on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Those parts of the interstate and State systems of highways that are designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the United States Department of Transportation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any other highway, authorized by the Secretary, that is the shortest practical route between a highway designated pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A truck terminal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A port or other point of origin or destination; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a distance not to exceed one mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations, consistent with the provisions of this section, for the issuance of permits for vehicles described under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The regulations adopted under this subsection may set fees and shall establish maximum axle and gross weight limits, routes, and other necessary criteria.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The authority granted under the provisions of this section may not be exercised unless and until the Secretary determines in writing that its exercise:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is required to provide access to or egress from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore for international freight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Will not cause extraordinary damage to roads and bridges in the State or require extraordinary expense for the maintenance of those roads and bridges;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Will not cause undue adverse environmental impact upon or unduly disrupt residential neighborhoods; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Will not impair highway safety.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-113.2" future_version_removed="true" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for vehicles carrying fluid milk products or unless otherwise provided by federal law, an exceptional hauling permit issued under this section is not valid on the interstate highway system, as defined in § 8–101(j) of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the State Highway Administration may issue an exceptional hauling permit for a combination of vehicles that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Carries farm products as defined in § 10–601(c) of the Agriculture Article that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Are loaded in fields, from bulk liquid milk storage tanks at one or more farm locations, or in other off–highway locations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Are the only load of the vehicle;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has an axle configuration of five or six axles and a front–to–rear centerline axle spacing of not less than 50 feet; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has a minimum of 36 feet between two consecutive sets of tandem axles measured horizontally between the vertical centerlines of the extreme axles of the tandems.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A combination of vehicles operating under the authority of an exceptional hauling permit issued under subsection (b) of this section shall comply with the following weight limits:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A maximum of 20,000 pounds gross weight on a single axle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For any tandem axle, a maximum of 40,000 pounds gross weight; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A maximum gross weight of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>88,000 pounds for a combination of vehicles with five axles; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>95,000 pounds for a combination of vehicles with at least six axles.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>While operating a combination of vehicles under the authority of an exceptional hauling permit issued under subsection (b) of this section, a person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Violate a highway restriction issued by a competent authority;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except for vehicles carrying fluid milk products, operate the combination of vehicles on the interstate highway system, as defined in § 8–101(j) of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Operate the combination of vehicles if the combination of vehicles exceeds any tire weight rating or tire speed restriction adopted under § 25–111 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the exceptional hauling permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>While operating a combination of vehicles under the authority of an exceptional hauling permit issued under subsection (b) of this section, a person shall have in the person’s possession:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The original or electronic copy of the exceptional hauling permit issued for the vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each vehicle in the combination of vehicles, proof of a current preventive maintenance inspection, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For vehicles registered in the State, proof of a periodic inspection required by Title 23, Subtitle 3 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For vehicles registered in another state and engaged in interstate transportation, proof of a periodic inspection required by 49 C.F.R. § 396.17; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For all types of farm vehicles or other vehicles exempt from the periodic inspection requirements of items (i) and (ii) of this item, a valid North American Standard Driver/Vehicle Level 1 or Level 5 inspection report issued within the preceding 364 days that shows no out–of–service defects or critical items.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A violation of this section, regulations adopted to implement this section, or the terms and conditions of an exceptional hauling permit issued under subsection (b) of this section shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Void the authority granted under the exceptional hauling permit;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject the vehicle to all weight requirements and tolerances specified in this article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For a violation of a weight restriction specified in this section that exceeds 5,000 pounds, subject the exceptional hauling permit to immediate confiscation by an officer or authorized civilian employee of the Department of State Police, an officer of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, or any police officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who confiscates an exceptional hauling permit under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall immediately notify the State Highway Administration.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On notification of the confiscation of an exceptional hauling permit, the State Highway Administration shall review the confiscation, shall verify the violation of a weight restriction, and, if the State Highway Administration determines that a violation did occur, may revoke the permit.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An owner or operator of a combination of vehicles may appeal the revocation of an exceptional hauling permit to the State Highway Administrator or the Administrator’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>On request from the State Highway Administrator or the Administrator’s designee, weight and delivery records of the holder of an exceptional hauling permit that are kept in the normal course of business shall be provided by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The holder of the exceptional hauling permit; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any motor carrier transporting farm products under an exceptional hauling permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the holder of or motor carrier transporting farm products under an exceptional hauling permit does not comply with a request under this subsection, the State Highway Administration may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Suspend the holder’s or motor carrier’s exceptional hauling permit; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Suspend the eligibility of the holder or motor carrier to obtain additional exceptional hauling permits for farm products pending compliance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>An applicant for an exceptional hauling permit shall pay to the State Highway Administration:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>$250 for the issuance of a new annual permit or the annual renewal; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$30 for the issuance of a 30–day permit;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$1,000 for the reinstatement of a permit that was revoked under subsection (f)(3) of this section for a first violation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>$5,000 for the reinstatement of a permit that was revoked under subsection (f)(3) of this section for a second or subsequent violation within the prior 24 months.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A fee paid under this subsection is nonrefundable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, an exceptional hauling permit is valid for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>1 year from the date of issuance for an annual permit; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>30 consecutive days for a 30–day permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>In consultation with the Secretary of State Police, the State Highway Administration shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>An exceptional hauling permit is issued under this section at the discretion of the State Highway Administrator.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Highway Administrator may stop issuing or renewing exceptional hauling permits under this section if the Administrator determines that the use of the permits is adversely affecting any part of the State highway system.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Highway Administrator shall promptly report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, regarding any decision to stop issuing or renewing exceptional hauling permits under this section and the reason for the decision.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-113.3" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Secretary, by regulation, may determine that a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting manifested international freight as the only load of the vehicle or combination of vehicles in a sealed, seagoing container on a semitrailer is transporting an indivisible load, provided that the vehicle or combination of vehicles is issued a permit under this section and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is carrying not more than 100,000 pounds gross maximum vehicle weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has the minimum number of axles required by the permit;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Does not exceed the maximum axle weight or axle spacing requirements, as established by regulation or specified on the permit;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is traveling only during the hours as established by regulation or specified on the permit;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Adheres to a unique maximum speed limit specified on the permit; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Is traveling only on State or county highways that are on the specific route identified on the permit between the Seagirt Marine Terminal and a destination authorized by the Secretary, with no deviation from the specific route.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations, consistent with this section, for the issuance of permits for vehicles described under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The regulations adopted under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May set permit fees;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall establish axle and gross weight requirements and other necessary criteria; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Shall establish the destinations to which a vehicle or combination of vehicles may travel from the Seagirt Marine Terminal under a permit.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-114" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load"> <text>As to violations relating to vehicle weights and the imposition of fines allowed for these violations, if either party is aggrieved by the judgment of a District Court, the party has a right of appeal under §§ 12-401 and 12-403 of the Courts Article.</text> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-201" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“County road” has the meaning stated in § 8-101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“State highway” has the meaning stated in § 8-101 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-202" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <text>A person may not drive or move any vehicle or other object on or across any State highway or county road if the vehicle or object is constructed or equipped so that it might do unusual damage to the highway or road.</text> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-203" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Highway Administration may adopt rules, regulations, and orders necessary for the preservation of State highways.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>These rules, regulations, and orders may include provisions to regulate:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The use of State highways by vehicles or other objects that cause more than ordinary wear and tear of the highways; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The use of any State highway that is in danger.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before any rule, regulation, or order may be adopted under this section, it shall be published once a week for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the affected highway lies.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not knowingly violate any rule, regulation, or order adopted under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-204" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>If the State Highway Administration or a local authority finds that a highway under its jurisdiction or maintenance is in danger of serious damage from deterioration, rain, snow, or any other condition, the State Highway Administration or, by a resolution adopted by its governing body, the local authority may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Prohibit the operation of vehicles on the highway;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Restrict the weight of vehicles permitted to drive on the highway; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Reduce the maximum speed limit for vehicles operating on the highway.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “vehicles supplying emergency service” means any vehicle designated by the local authority as a vehicle supplying emergency service, such as supplying fuel, fuel/oil, or milk.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding any resolution adopted by a local authority under subsection (a) of this section, vehicles supplying emergency service may use the highway if written permission is obtained from the local authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A restriction imposed by the State Highway Administration or a local authority under this section may not restrict the right to use a highway for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>More than 60 consecutive days; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>More than 90 days during any one calendar year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the State Highway Administration or a local authority imposes a restriction under this section, it shall place and maintain signs at each end of that part of the highway affected by the restriction. The signs shall state the restriction imposed on the use of the highway.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A restriction adopted under this section is not effective unless the required signs are posted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless the person has a written permit from the State Highway Administration or the appropriate local authority, a person, whether the owner of the vehicle, the person having charge and control over the vehicle, or an employee or agent of either, may not drive or cause to be driven any vehicle on any highway in violation of any restriction imposed under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any owner or person in control of a vehicle that is in violation of any restriction imposed under this section is liable to the State Highway Administration or the appropriate local authority for all damages sustained by a highway as a result of the violation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In the trial of a person charged with a violation of this section, oral testimony of the existence and contents of signs posted as required by this section is prima facie evidence of the validity of the restrictions stated on them.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This section applies regardless of any public general or public local law to the contrary.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-205" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <text>If necessary for public safety, the State Highway Administration may prohibit the use of any highway bridge in this State by any person, vehicle, or class of vehicles.</text> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-206" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Highway Administration or a local authority may regulate the weight and speed of any vehicle passing over any bridge or culvert under its jurisdiction, by placing and maintaining signs at each end of the bridge or culvert as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a local authority may not impose any restriction under this section without approval of the State Highway Administration.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The following local authorities do not require the approval of the State Highway Administration, if they submit to that Administration, at the time of placing any sign under this section, a statement that a structural analysis has shown the necessity for the particular restriction:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Allegany County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Anne Arundel County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Baltimore City;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Baltimore County;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Carroll County;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Frederick County;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Harford County;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Howard County;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>St. Mary’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>Washington County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The required statement shall recite that the analysis has been performed by a professional engineer experienced in the area of bridge design and shall include the engineer’s name, professional engineer’s license number, the date the computations were performed, and the date of the last inspection on which the computations were based.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The signs required under subsection (a) of this section shall be those set forth as standard applications for vehicle weight and speed restrictions in the manual on uniform traffic control devices adopted by the State Highway Administration pursuant to the provisions of § 25–104 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless the person has a written permit from the State Highway Administration or the appropriate local authority, a person, whether the owner of the vehicle, the person having charge and control over the vehicle, or an employee or agent of either, may not drive or cause to be driven any vehicle over a bridge or culvert in violation of any restriction imposed under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any owner or person in control of a vehicle that is in violation of any restriction imposed under this section is liable to the State Highway Administration or the appropriate local authority for all damages sustained by a bridge, culvert, or highway as a result of the violation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In the trial of a person charged with a violation of this section, oral testimony of the existence and contents of signs posted as required by this section is prima facie evidence of the validity of the restrictions stated on them.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-207" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the person has a written permit from the State Highway Administration, a person, whether the owner of the vehicle, the person having charge and control over the vehicle, or an employee or agent of either, may not use any State highway to test any truck, whether for durability, speed, fuel consumption, or otherwise.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Highway Administration may issue a permit if, in its judgment:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The highway over which the test will be conducted will not be unduly damaged; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The safety of the traveling public will not be materially adversely affected by the test.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State Highway Administration:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall designate in the permit the route on which and the day and hour during which the tests may be conducted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May impose additional regulations and limitations to promote the safety of the traveling public and prevent undue damage to the highway under its jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For each vehicle to be tested, the permit fee is $25.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A permit is not required for the testing of trucks serviced or repaired by a garage licensed under Title 17, Subtitle 8 of the Business Regulation Article if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>All laws of this article are observed by a garage owner in regard to size, weight, and speed restrictions of the particular type of truck tested; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All local motor vehicle traffic, speed, and safety ordinances are complied with.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-208" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>Any person who drives or moves any vehicle or any other object on any State, county, or municipal highway is liable for all damage that the State, county, or municipal highway sustains as a result of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any illegal driving or moving of the vehicle or object;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The driving or moving of any vehicle or object that weighs more than the maximum statutory weight specified in this title, unless the overweight is authorized by a permit issued under this title and the vehicle is operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The driving or moving of any vehicle or object that exceeds the maximum statutory height or width specified in this title, unless the oversize is authorized by a permit issued under this title and the vehicle is operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Any person liable for damages in excess of $25,000 under subsection (a)(3) of this section is also liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle or object, but is driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, the owner and driver are jointly and severally liable for the damage to the State, county, or municipal highway and any civil penalty assessed under this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A civil action for damages to a State, county, or municipal highway and any civil penalty under this section may be brought by the authority in control of it.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-209" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Regulation of Use of Highways"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Highway Administration may conduct appropriate studies to determine whether the safety and general welfare of a residential community are threatened by noise, vibration, or incidence of truck traffic on any State highway. In determining whether or not to conduct such a study, the Administration shall consider the number of complaints about truck traffic received, if any, from residents of an area.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the State Highway Administration determines that a threat exists and that the safety and general welfare of the residential community would be promoted by the adoption of restrictions on the use of the State highway by trucks, the Administration may establish routes, speed limits, time restrictions, weight restrictions, or other measures with respect to truck traffic on the State highway, which will minimize the adverse effects of that traffic on the residential area or cause that traffic to avoid the residential area entirely.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Under this section, truck traffic may be prohibited entirely on any State highway or part of a State highway, if an adequately functional alternate route is available to carry the truck traffic, taking into consideration the amount of additional fuel that would be required over the alternate route and the economic impact on the citizens of this State caused by the alternate route.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The provisions of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Do not apply to any Class E (truck) vehicles of 10,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Do not preclude the making of local deliveries of supplies or services in any residential communities.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-301" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Mobile Seafood and Produce Vendors"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Established place of business” means any permanent building or structure from which a permanent business is conducted during normal business hours throughout the year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Established place of business” does not include a tent, temporary stand or other temporary quarters, or permanent quarters occupied under a temporary arrangement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Mobile seafood or produce vendor” means a person who sells or offers for sale any seafood or produce:</text> <level label="1"> <text>While outdoors on foot;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>From any vehicle or conveyance, whether or not the vehicle or conveyance is in operating condition; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>From any tent, temporary stand, roadside stand, roadside market, or other quarters that is not an established place of business.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Produce” means any fruit or vegetable product of the soil that is intended for human consumption.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Produce” does not include a canned, frozen, dried, or pickled product.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Right–of–way” includes any highway area or highway structure and any property adjacent to a highway acquired for the operation or use of the highway.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Seafood” means any finfish, crustacean, or mollusk, live or dead, or any part, egg, offspring, or body of any finfish, crustacean, or mollusk, that is intended for human consumption.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Shopping center” means any 5 or more contiguous established places of business which share common parking facilities of 25 parking spaces or more.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“State highway” means any public highway owned by this State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-302" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Mobile Seafood and Produce Vendors"> <text>This subtitle does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Diminish any authority of Anne Arundel County, Howard County, or a municipal corporation to license and regulate mobile seafood vendors;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Apply to charitable or nonprofit vendors who sell seafood at short–term festivals or other short–term events;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Apply in Calvert County and in St. Mary’s County for those persons selling their own seafood catch; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Diminish the authority of a county to license and regulate mobile produce vendors.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-303" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Mobile Seafood and Produce Vendors"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>When located on the right–of–way of any State highway, a mobile seafood or produce vendor may not sell, or offer for sale, any seafood or produce, unless the vendor has a lease from the State that allows the vendor to sell, or offer for sale, seafood or produce.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State may require a mobile seafood or produce vendor to submit an application and pay a reasonable fee to be applied to administrative costs.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State may not enter into a lease with a mobile produce vendor unless the applicable county licenses mobile produce vendors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A mobile seafood or produce vendor may not sell, or offer for sale, any seafood or produce, when located:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Within 50 yards of any vehicular entrance to or exit from a school or place of worship, unless the vendor has written permission of the applicable school board or person who is responsible for the buildings and grounds of the place of worship;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 100 yards of any vehicular entrance to or exit from any shopping center;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In the parking lot of any shopping center, unless the vendor has written permission of the owner of the shopping center and conforms to applicable local laws and ordinances;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Within an unsafe distance, as determined by the local authorities, from the edge of any roadway;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>On any roadway; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>On private property adjoining a State highway, unless the vendor owns or leases the property or has written permission from the property owner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State Highway Administration may adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-304" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Mobile Seafood and Produce Vendors"> <level label="a"> <text>The charging of a person with a violation of this subtitle shall be by means of a traffic citation in the form determined under § 1–605(d) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The charging of a person with a violation of this section may be performed by any State or local police officer.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-401" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Penalties for Certain Weight Violations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies to a person who violates the Maryland Vehicle Law by exceeding, as to any vehicle or combination of vehicles:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The maximum weight limit for which the vehicle or combination of vehicles is registered;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A statutory weight limit; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, the maximum weight limit imposed by signs that have been placed to regulate the weight of a vehicle passing over a bridge or culvert under § 24–206 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not apply to a person who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Violates a weight limit imposed by signs if there are no signs posting the weight limit located:</text> <level label="1"> <text>At the bridge or culvert; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the last available alternate route that bypasses the bridge or culvert; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is operating an emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except on an interstate highway, a tolerance of 1,000 pounds over a weight limit to which this section applies is allowed, and only weight in excess of this tolerance is a violation, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The overall gross weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds, including any enforcement or statutory tolerances; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The vehicle is being operated under a valid permit for gross weight exceeding 80,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person convicted of a weight violation to which this section applies on any highway in the State, including an interstate highway, is subject to the following fines:</text> <level label="1"> <text>1 cent for each pound for the first 1,000 pounds of weight over any allowable weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>5 cents for each pound of excess weight over 1,000 pounds but less than 5,001 pounds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>12 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 5,000 pounds but less than 10,001 pounds;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>20 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 10,000 pounds but less than 20,001 pounds; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>40 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 20,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person convicted of a weight violation to which this section applies on the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge, or its appurtenant approaches that are under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Transportation Authority, is subject to the following fines:</text> <level label="1"> <text>1 cent for each pound for the first 1,000 pounds over any allowable weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>5 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 1,000 pounds but less than 2,001 pounds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>10 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 2,000 pounds but less than 5,001 pounds;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>24 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 5,000 pounds but less than 10,001 pounds;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>40 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 10,000 pounds but less than 20,001 pounds; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>80 cents for each additional pound of excess weight over 20,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In computing a fine under this section, a credit for any excess weight caused by an accumulation of cinders, snow, or ice shall be granted.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, a court may not suspend or reduce a fine imposed for a conviction for a weight violation.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>If an out–of–state vehicle is subject to a weight violation or an out–of–state person is responsible for or operating a vehicle subject to a weight violation:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person is subject to a citation and further proceedings under Title 26 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The vehicle shall be impounded until the fine is paid or acceptable collateral is posted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Cargo contained in the vehicle may not be impounded.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the fine has not been paid or acceptable collateral has not been posted within 90 days after the date of impoundment, the vehicle may be sold at public auction under the jurisdiction of the court to satisfy the fine, accrued interest, and costs.</text> </level> </level> </section>