# COMAR Title 11 — Department of Transportation ## Subtitle 14 — Motor Vehicle Administration — Vehicle Inspections ### Chapter 02 — Safety Standards for Passenger Cars, Taxicabs, Light Trucks, Vans, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, and Type II School Vehicles #### Regulation .10 Lighting. *COMAR 11.14.02.10* A. General Lamp and Reflector Inspection. This includes all original equipment, exterior lighting plus whatever lights are authorized. (3) Preparation for Headlamp Aim Inspection. Preparation for headlamp and aim inspection to be done by owner of vehicle before inspection. Frame leveling is done at the station. Any one of the items listed below can affect the inspection results causing rejection of the vehicle. To prevent this and reduce inspection time, the inspector should have the first four of these items checked before inspection. B. Headlamps. Vehicle shall be equipped with either a dual headlighting system consisting of four 5-3/4 inch diameter units, two of which shall be No. 1 and two of which shall be No. 2; or four 6-1/2 × 4-1/4 inch rectangular units, two of which shall be No. 1A and two of which shall be No. 2A; or four 5.93 × 3.64 inch rectangular-type F units, two of which shall be LF units and two of which shall be UF units; or a single headlighting system consisting of two 7 inch units; or two 8 × 5 inch rectangular units; or an approved bulb and reflector-type system. All units bearing the marking No. 2 shall be inspected and aimed on low beam. All bearing the marking No. 1 or no number will be inspected and aimed on high beam. Headlamp inspection and aiming by the photoelectric-optical method requires a level area sufficient for the vehicle and test equipment. The test equipment shall be accurately calibrated to the floor and accurately aligned to the vehicle. Additional lighting information is contained in §§F, G, and H (limits are in inches at 25 feet). Labeling requirements for sealed beam headlamps manufactured on or after July 1, 1979: 5-3/4 inch type 1-1C1, type 2-2C1; 6-1/2 inch × 4-1/4 inch type 1A-1A1, type 2A-2A1; 7 inch type 2-2D1; 8 inch × 5 inch type 2B-2B1; type F 5.93 inch by 3.64 inch—low beam—LF, high beam—UF. Type F units require special aimer adapter and must be aimed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended procedures. Bulb and reflector-type headlamps currently approved contain a 9004 Sylvania bulb in a normal reflector unit or an H-4 bulb in a sealed reflector unit. Sealed reflector units contain a glass bubble which encases the bulb when in place, which can be detected by removing the bulb and determining if the bubble exists. (1) High Beam. (2) Low Beam. Inspect the low beam headlamp in the same method indicated as for high beam. Always inspect the following sealed beam units on low beam only: 5-3/4 inch diameter or 4-1/4 × 6-1/2 inch rectangular units marked type 2 or type 2A and 7 inch diameter or 8 × 5 inch rectangular marked type 2 or 2B. Figure 23 HEADLAMPS. C. Headlamp (Applicable to Type II School Vehicles Only). (1) In order to compensate for the various conditions of loading encountered during inspection, the frame or body floor will be made level before checking. This will provide a standard condition for inspecting all vehicles and may be accomplished by using a combination of blocks under the rear wheels or a lifting device (jack) or both for the front end. A spirit level may be placed on the frame side member. (2) Place vehicle in a darkened location of sufficient size for the vehicle and an additional 25 feet from lamps to screen. An approved marked screen and adequate test area are required. Level the vehicle frame as described in §C(1). The vehicle shall be located accurately in front of the screen. (3) Inspect the low beam headlamp in the same method indicated as for high beam. Always inspect the following sealed beam units on low beam only: 5-3/4 inch diameter or 6-1/2 × 4-1/4 inch rectangular units marked type 2 or 2A and 7 inch diameter or 8 × 5 inch rectangular units marked 2 or 2B. Figure 24 AIMING SCREEN BEAM PATTERN — HIGH BEAM. D. Fog Lamp and Auxiliary Driving Lamps. (A spot lamp is not considered an auxiliary driving lamp and has no set mounting height by law. Therefore, they need not be inspected.) If a vehicle is equipped with either fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps they shall be properly aimed. Fog lamps shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height not more than 30 inches or less than 12 inches above the level surface on which a vehicle stands. Only two fog lamps are allowed by law. Auxiliary driving lamps shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height not more than 42 inches or less than 16 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. Only two auxiliary lamps are allowed by law. The mounting heights of auxiliary driving lamps do not apply to emergency vehicles. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with required headlamps also is equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on its front, projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than four of these lamps on the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time when on a highway. E. Definitions. (1) “Asymmetrical beam (nonsymmetrical)” means one in which both sides are not symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane of the beam. All lower beams are asymmetrical. (2) “Back-up” lamp means a lamp used to provide illumination behind the vehicle, and to provide an indicator when the vehicle is in reverse gear. (3) “Cornering lamp” means a steadily burning lamp used when the turn signal system is operating to supplement the headlamps by providing additional road illumination in the direction of the turn. (4) “Driving lamp” means an auxiliary lamp or lamps that may be used to supplement the upper beam of the regular headlamps. (5) “Emergency warning lamp” means a lamp which provides a flashing light to identify an authorized vehicle on an emergency mission. The emergency signal may be an oscillating lamp, a rotating beacon or pairs of alternately or simultaneously flashing lamps. (6) “Fog lamp” means a lamp which may be used with the lower beam headlights to provide illumination under condition of rain, snow, dust, or fog. (7) “Hazard warning lamp” means a turn signal lamp which flashes simultaneously to warn of the presence of a vehicular hazard. (8) Headlamps. (a) 5-3/4 inch Round Sealed Beam Unit. (i) “Type I sealed beam unit” means a sealed unit 5-3/4 inches in diameter having a single filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. This unit is identified by the number 1 on the lens and is aimed on the upper beam. (ii) “Type II sealed beam unit” means a sealed unit 5-3/4 inches in diameter having two filaments, one filament providing the lower beam and one filament providing fill-in light for the upper beam. This unit is identified by the number 2 on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam. (b) 7" Round Sealed Beam Unit. (i) A sealed unit 7 inches in diameter providing an upper and lower beam. This unit is identified by the number 2 on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam. (ii) No identifying Number on Lens. Sealed beam unit 7 inches in diameter providing an upper and lower beam. It is aimed on the upper beam. (c) 8" × 5" Rectangular Sealed Beam Unit. Sealed beam unit providing an upper and lower beam. This unit is identified by the number 2B on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam. (d) 6-1/2 × 4-1/4 inch Rectangular Sealed Beam Unit. (i) Type 1A—sealed beam unit having a single filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the number 1A on the lens and is aimed on the upper beam. (ii) Type 2A—sealed beam unit having two filaments, one filament providing fill-in light for the upper beam. This unit is identified by the number 2A on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam. (e) 5.93 × 3.64 inch Rectangular Sealed Beam Units. (i) Type LF—sealed beam unit having a single beam filament and providing only a lower beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the designation LF on the lens. A special aimer adapter is required for aiming and aiming must be accomplished in accordance with the manufacturers' recommended procedures. (ii) Type UF—sealed beam unit having a single beam filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the designation UF on the lens. A special aimer adapter is required for aiming and aiming (if applicable) must be accomplished in accordance with the manufacturers' recommended procedures. (f) Bulb and Reflector Headlamps—A lamp assembly providing an upper and lower beam light by means of a replacement bulb. These lamps shall be capable of being aimed and are aimed on lower beam. They shall be capable of producing at least 3500 candlepower output on lower beam and 5000 candlepower on upper beam. (9) “Headlamp lower beam” means a distribution of light as directed to avoid glare in the eyes of oncoming drivers while providing illumination ahead of the vehicle and intended for use in congested areas and on highways when meeting other vehicles within a distance of 500 feet. (10) “Headlamp upper beam” means a distribution of light intended primarily for distant illumination and for use on the open highway when not meeting other vehicles. (11) “Indicator lamp” means a lamp visible to the operator of a vehicle that indicates: (a) Appropriate electrical circuits are in operation; (b) Malfunction of vehicle performance; and (c) Requirement for remedial action by the operator of the vehicle. (12) “Lane changer” means a device, usually incorporated in the turn signal switch which will actuate the turn signal lamps when held by the driver. It is intended for momentary use for signaling a lane change. When released by the operator, it will return to neutral and deactivate the signal lamp. (13) “License-plate lamp” means a lamp used to illuminate the license plate on the rear of a vehicle. (14) “Operating units or switches” means devices by which the functioning of lamps are controlled. (15) “Parking lamp” means lamps used to designate the front of a parked vehicle. (16) “Passing lamp” means an auxiliary lamp or lamps that may be used to supplement the low beam of a standard headlamp system. It is not intended for winding roads or congested city areas. (17) “Reflective device” means a device used on vehicles to give an indication to an approaching driver by reflected light from the headlamps of approaching vehicles. (18) “SAE Lighting Identification Code” is a series of standardized markings for lighting devices which a manufacturer or a supplier may use to mark his product to indicate the SAE lighting standard or standards to which the device is designed to conform. The code is not intended to limit the manufacturer or supplier in applying other markings to the devices. (19) “Sealed beam headlamp assembly” means a major lighting device used to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle. It consists of the following: (a) One or more sealed beam units (bulb assembly); (b) Means for mounting securely to the vehicle; (c) Means to permit required aim adjustment. (20) “Sealed beam unit” means an integral and hermetically sealed optical assembly with the name “Sealed Beam” molded in the lens. (21) “Side marker lamp” means a lamp on the left and right sides, beamed to the side, and intended to indicate vehicle length. They are located near the front and rear on each side and, for vehicles over 30 feet in length, are also located at the midpoint (intermediate side marker). (22) “Stop lamp” means a lamp giving a steady warning light to the rear of the vehicle, to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle to reduce speed or stop. (23) “Symmetrical beam” means one in which both sides are symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane of the beam. Lamps having symmetrical beams are: (a) 5-3/4 inch diameter type 1; (b) 5-3/4 inch diameter type 2 (upper beam filament); (c) 6-1/2 × 4-1/4 inch type 1A; (d) 6-1/2 × 4-1/4 inch type 2A (upper beam filament); (e) 8 × 5 inch type 2B (upper beam filament); (f) All 7 inch diameter units (upper beam filament). (24) “Tail lamp” means a lamp used to designate the rear of a vehicle. (25) “Turn signal lamp” means a lamp which provides a flashing warning light to indicate the intended direction of the turn. F. SAE Identification Code (J759C SAE Handbook). (1) The following list is an identifying code for lights and signaling devices: (2) All equipment for testing headlamps shall comply with the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice for Headlamp Inspection Equipment. G. Headlamp Testing Machines. (1) Headlamp Testing Machine. When a headlamp testing machine is used, it shall give results equivalent to those obtained using a screen. It shall be in good repair and adjustment, and shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. A machine using a photoelectric cell or cells to determine aim should also have a visual screen upon which the beam pattern is projected proportionally to its appearance and aim on the screen at 25 feet. The visual screen shall be plainly visible to the operator and have horizontal and vertical reference lines to permit visual appraisal of the lamp beam. (2) Mechanical Aimer (applicable to school vehicles only). When a mechanical aimer is used, it shall be in good repair and adjusted, and shall be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and shall be calibrated to the slope of the floor on which the vehicle stands. (3) Screen (applicable to school vehicles only). When a screen is used, it should be 5' high × 12' wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light, and properly adjusted to the floor on which the vehicle stands. Provisions may be made for moving the screen so that it can be aligned parallel with the rear axle and so that a horizontal line drawn perpendicularly from the centerline of the screen will pass an equal distance midway between the two headlamps. The screen shall be provided with a fixed vertical centerline, two laterally adjustable vertical tapes, and one vertically adjustable horizontal tape.