Maryland Public Utility Companies Section 9-201

      (a)      Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a motor carrier permit is required for a passenger motor vehicle used in the transportation of persons for hire.

      (b)      A motor carrier permit is not required for:

            (1)      a motor vehicle used exclusively for the transportation of pupils to and from public or private schools;

            (2)      a motor vehicle operated for a period of not more than 3 months in any registration year in the transportation of persons employed at a cannery located in a county;

            (3)      taxicabs;

            (4)      public transportation for hire authorized to operate on the boardwalk in Ocean City;

            (5)      a vanpool operation as defined in § 11-175.1 of the Transportation Article;

            (6)      the public transportation system for Washington County established under § 1-603 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Article 22 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland;

            (7)      the public transportation system for Allegany County established under § 23-24 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Allegany County, Article 1 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland; or

            (8)      the public transportation system for Frederick County established by the Board of County Commissioners for Frederick County.

      (c)      The public duties of a common carrier may not be imposed on a person with respect to a vehicle for which a motor carrier permit is required under this section, if the vehicle is not actually engaged in public transportation.