Chapter 32. Low Speed Vehicles
Regulation .01 Applicability.LinkCopy Citation
This chapter applies to vehicles originally manufactured as low speed vehicles with originally installed equipment or equipment manufactured and installed to meet the federal and State safety requirements for low speed vehicles.
Regulation .02 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for the titling, registration, and operation of low speed vehicles on certain highways in Maryland.
Regulation .03 Incorporation by Reference.LinkCopy Citation
In this chapter, 49 CFR §571.500, as amended, is incorporated by reference.
Regulation .04 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.
(2)
“Low speed vehicle” has the meaning stated in Transportation Article §11-130.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .05 Equipment.LinkCopy Citation
A.
All low speed vehicles and all equipment originally installed or manufactured and installed in low speed vehicles shall meet the safety standards requirements of 49 CFR §571.500 and COMAR 11.14.09.
B.
Low speed vehicles are not required to have the following equipment:
(1)
Exhaust systems;
(2)
Emissions equipment; or
(3)
Fuel systems.
C.
All low speed vehicles shall be equipped with an odometer.
Regulation .06 Vehicle Class.LinkCopy Citation
The Administration shall title and register low speed vehicles as Class R.
Regulation .07 Title and Registration Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
The owner of a low speed vehicle in this State shall:
A.
Apply for a certificate of title, as required by Transportation Article §13-402, Annotated Code of Maryland;
B.
Apply to the Administration for the registration of the vehicle as specified in Transportation Article §13-403, Annotated Code of Maryland, in order to operate a low speed vehicle on Maryland highways;
C.
Provide evidence of required security prior to registration of the low speed vehicle, as required under Transportation Article, Title 17, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland;
D.
Upon transfer of ownership, produce an inspection certificate issued by an authorized Maryland Vehicle Inspection Station, that the vehicle passed a safety standards inspection, before subsequent registration; and
E.
Pay all applicable title and registration fees required under COMAR 11.11.05 and Transportation Article, Title 11, Subtitle 13, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .08 Disclosure to Low Speed Vehicle Buyer.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A vehicle dealer selling a low speed vehicle shall provide a written disclosure signed by the buyer at the time of purchase. The disclosure shall include a statement that the low speed vehicle:
(1)
Has a maximum speed of greater than 20 miles per hour, but less than 25 miles per hour;
(2)
May not be operated on a public highway with a speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour;
(3)
May be a hazard on the roadways if it impedes traffic; and
(4)
May subject the driver to citations for impeding traffic.
B.
The vehicle dealer shall give a copy of the signed disclosure to the buyer and keep the original with the business records of vehicle transactions.
C.
The low speed vehicle disclosure form may be printed and distributed by the dealership using the following format:
Regulation .09 Disclosure Decal.LinkCopy Citation
Prior to the sale of a low speed vehicle, a permanent decal provided by the manufacturer or dealer shall be affixed to the underside of the roof near the windshield on the driver side. The disclosure decal shall:
A.
Be approximately 3 inches high by 5 inches wide; and
B.
Contain the disclosure statement information specified in Regulation .08 of this chapter.
Regulation .10 Low Speed Vehicles Driving Prohibitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Low speed vehicles are prohibited on Maryland highways as defined in Transportation Article, §21-1125, Annotated Code of Maryland.
B.
Low speed vehicles may not be driven:
(1)
On a highway for which the posted maximum speed limit exceeds 30 miles per hour;
(2)
On an expressway or any controlled access highway on which prohibitions are posted in accordance with Transportation Article, §21-313, Annotated Code of Maryland;
(3)
On a highway on which driving a low speed vehicle is prohibited by a county or municipal ordinance; or
(4)
Across a highway for which the posted maximum speed limit exceeds 45 miles per hour, except at an intersection that is controlled by:
(a)
A traffic control signal; or
(b)
A stop sign at each approach to the intersection.
C.
Low speed vehicles may not be used for skills testing to obtain a driver license.
Regulation .11 Overweight Low Speed Vehicles.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Administration may designate a vehicle an overweight low speed vehicle.
B.
To qualify as an overweight low speed vehicle, the owner may apply to the Administration and certify that the overweight low speed vehicle meets the federal motor vehicle safety standards for a low speed vehicle except for the weight of the vehicle.
C.
The overweight low speed vehicle shall:
(1)
Weigh in excess of 3,000 GVWR but less than 10,000 GVWR;
(2)
Meet the provisions of low speed vehicles set forth in this chapter; and
(3)
Meet any other safety limitations as specified by the Administration, including but not limited to:
(a)
Geographic limitations on where the vehicles can operate;
(b)
Periodic safety reporting on vehicle performance;
(c)
A preregistration equipment review by the Maryland State Police; and
(d)
A periodic equipment safety review.
D.
The number of overweight low speed vehicles that can be owned by a single entity shall be determined by the Administration.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Transportation Article, §§12-104(b), 11-130.1, 13-101.1, 13-402, 13-403, and 21-1125, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: Regulations .01—.10 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 1, 2006 (33:4 Md. R. 350); adopted permanently effective May 22, 2006 (33:10 Md. R. 881)
History: Regulation .11 adopted effective September 21, 2020 (47:19 Md. R. 849)