<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="07" heading="Testing of Equipment on School Vehicles" title_num="11" subtitle_num="19">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Pilot Testing Program.">
    <text>Notwithstanding the requirements of COMAR 11.19.02 and 11.19.03, the Administration may authorize the testing of equipment that would otherwise not meet the requirements of those chapters.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Equipment” means those furnishings or apparatus which improve vehicle safety or passenger comfort when installed on a school vehicle after manufacture.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Section” means the School Vehicle Safety Section, Division of Driver Licensing and School Vehicle Safety, Motor Vehicle Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Testing Requests.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A school bus owner, board of education, or manufacturer shall submit a written request to the Administration for equipment to be tested. The request shall contain:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The name, manufacturer, and model number of the equipment to be tested;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The vehicle identification number and name of the owner of the vehicle in which the equipment will be installed;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>A complete set of instructions and diagrams showing how the equipment shall be installed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>A list of persons outside the State who may be testing or using the equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Approval or Rejection of Testing Request. The Administration shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Issue a written approval or rejection for each test request; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Specify a time period for each approved testing request.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Testing of Equipment.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Equipment that is prohibited by federal or State law may not be tested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Equipment that may pose a danger to the public may not be tested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Equipment may not be tested on vehicles that are mechanically unfit and unsafe to be operated on the highway.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Administration may place further restrictions on certain equipment, if necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Approvals. Equipment may not be installed on a vehicle without the written approval of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Administration; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Director of transportation, if the vehicle is operating for a public school system.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Testing Conditions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Vehicles.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A vehicle being used to test equipment shall be inspected and approved by the Section before the test period begins.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Testing is limited to the vehicle or vehicles specified in the approval.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The Administration may limit the number of units of the same type and manufacturer to be tested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Test Period.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The Administration may specify test periods of different lengths for different types of equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The test period shall start immediately after installation of the equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>At or before the end of the test period, the Administration may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Extend the test period;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Approve the equipment being tested for use on school vehicles operating in the State;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Reject the equipment being tested for use on school vehicles operating in the State;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Require the owner to remove the equipment being tested from the school vehicle for safety reasons; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Allow the equipment being tested to remain on the school vehicle or vehicles approved for the test without approval, as long as the equipment does not pose a danger to the public.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Approval.">
    <text>If the Administration approves the equipment being tested, the Administration shall propose regulations to authorize the installation of the equipment on school vehicles in the State.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Reports.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The school bus owner, board of education, or manufacturer shall submit detailed reports on the performance of the equipment to the Section every 3 months, and shall include in the reports the manufacturer, model, and date of installation of the equipment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>In addition to the reports required in §A of this regulation, the Administration may require other reports the Administration may consider necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If the vehicle is sold, the seller shall give copies of all reports, certifications, and correspondence concerning the equipment to the purchaser or purchasers of the vehicle.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 25-110, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 260)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 repealed and new Regulations .01—.07 adopted effective September 9, 1996 (23:18 Md. R. 1318)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>