2013 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
§ 22-404 - Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers

§22-404.

(a) A person may not drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the front windshield or sidewings of the vehicle other than a certificate or other paper either required to be so displayed by law or authorized by the Administrator.

(b) The windshield on every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be constructed to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.

(c) Every windshield wiper on a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.

§ 22-404 - 1. Display of emblems and signs

(a) Prohibited. -- A person may not display on a motor vehicle the insignia or emblem of any motor vehicle club or similar organization, or of a fire company, unless he is entitled to use the same under the constitution, bylaws, rules, or regulations of the club or organization.

(b) Display creating hazard to safety. -- A person may not display on a motor vehicle any sign that, in the judgment of the Administration, may tend to create a hazard to safety.

§ 22-404 - 2. Display of State seal on vehicle

A person may not display in any manner on a motor vehicle the great seal or emblem of the State of Maryland, or any facsimile of it, in any form, unless the person is the Governor, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the Secretary of State, the head of a State department, or an elected official.

§ 22-404 - 3. Identification of certain vehicles

(a) In general. -- Every truck, truck tractor, and bus operated on highways in this State, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, shall be identified with the name or trade name of its owner, operator, or lessee and shall display:

(1) A United States Department of Transportation number; or

(2) The number issued by a State agency.

(b) Exceptions. -- This section does not apply to the following if operated intrastate only:

(1) Vehicles registered as:

(i) Farm trucks under § 13-921 of this article;

(ii) Farm truck tractors under § 13-924 of this article; or

(iii) Farm area motor vehicles under § 13-935 of this article;

(2) Trucks registered at 10,000 pounds capacity or less;

(3) Emergency vehicles;

(4) Vehicles used primarily to transport money or commercial paper;

(5) Vehicles owned or operated by the State or any political subdivision of the State; or

(6) Vehicles operating within 15 days from the date of purchase.

(c) Compliance with regulations. -- The display of identification required by this section shall comply with the regulations promulgated by the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration relating to vehicles operating interstate, as codified in 49 C.F.R., Part 390.21.

(d) Additional identification required by other laws not prohibited. -- This section does not prohibit the display of any additional identification required by other laws of this State or any other state, or by any agency or department of the federal government.

§ 22-404 - 4. Identification decals for propane fueled vehicles

(a) Requirement. -- A person who operates on any public road a motor vehicle that is registered in this State is subject to the provisions of this section.

(b) Issuance; design; placement. --

(1) Each motor vehicle that is operated on any public road and powered by propane fuel shall be identified by vehicle identification decals issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal or from a propane industry source.

(2) The vehicle identification decal required by this section shall be a diamond shaped design consisting of the word "propane" in silver scotchlite letters 1 inch high on a black background with a silver scotchlite border.

(3) The vehicle identification decal shall be attached to the left front and right rear bumper of the vehicle.

(c) Fee. -- The Office of the Fire Marshal or propane industry source that issues the vehicle identification decal shall charge a fee for the issuance of a vehicle identification decal not to exceed the reasonable cost of preparation and distribution.

§ 22-404 - 5. Power booster systems prohibited; exceptions

(a) "Power booster system" defined. -- In this section, "power booster system" means any device installed in a motor vehicle which allows liquid nitrous oxide to combine with gasoline for the purpose of increasing engine power.

(b) Use prohibited. -- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not operate on a highway a motor vehicle equipped with a power booster system.

(c) Exceptions. -- A person may operate on a highway a motor vehicle equipped with a power booster if:

(1) The vehicle is enroute to or from a track where the vehicle is used for racing and the power booster system is inoperative; or

(2) The container of nitrous oxide has been removed from the vehicle.

(d) Identification decal. -- Every motor vehicle equipped with a power booster system shall be identified with a decal that:

(1) Is a diamond shaped design consisting of the words "Compressed Gas D.O.T. No. 1070" in silver scotchlite letters 1 inch high on a black background with a silver scotchlite border;

(2) Is issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal or from a nitrous oxide industry source; and

(3) Is attached to the left front and right rear bumper of the vehicle.

(e) Regulations authorized. -- The Office of the Fire Marshal may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(f) Fee for decal. -- The Office of the Fire Marshal or nitrous oxide industry source that issues the vehicle identification decal may charge a fee for the issuance of a vehicle identification decal not to exceed the reasonable cost of preparation and distribution.