Md. Code Regs. 11.14.03.08

Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 11.14.03.08 - Lighting

General Lamp and Reflector Inspection. This includes all original exterior lighting, plus whatever lamps are authorized. On vehicles without batteries, the engine shall run at high idle speed to perform lighting tests.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
A. Switch on the night driving lamps and visually inspect the following: (Inspect (1) and (2) with ignition switch on.)	A. (1) Any bulb or sealed beam unit fails to light except back-up lamps.
(1) Actuate turn signal lever to right and left and observe function of turn signal lamps (if equipped). Motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1973 shall have turn signals.	(2) Turn signals do not properly indicate right and left when so switched. (3) Back-up lamp system functions when vehicle is in a forward gear (if equipped).
(2) Place vehicle in all forward gears and inspect back-up lamps for function (if equipped). (3) Actuate the following and observe: indicator lamps, stop lamps, headlamps, lower and upper beam.	(4) Lamp shows color contrary to law (red light to the front; white light to the rear, except license plate lamp); (tail lamps shall be red; stop lamps red or amber; and headlamps shall emit white light).
(4) Observe the function of: (a) Tail lamps; (b) Parking lamps; (c) License Plate lamps; (d) Reflex reflectors.	(5) Lamp fails to light the proper filament indicated at switch position. (6) Any lamp or reflector does not direct light properly. (7) Any lamp or lens is obscured or shielded by a nontransparent material or object.
B. Headlamp Inspection. Determine if lamp is mounted properly, not less than 24 inches or more than 54 inches above the road surface; or vehicle is equipped with at least one and not more than two headlamps, sealed beam or halogen replaceable bulb with reflector.	(8) Lamp assembly improperly fastened. (9) Lamp has a cracked or broken lens which emits a light contrary to law. (White light to the rear.) (10) Any lamp, lens, or reflector is not an approved type. B. Headlamp does not comply with mounting requirement.

Additional Lighting Requirements. Inspect for safe condition, operation, wiring, and switching. All must be of an approved type.

C. Tail Lamps-At least one required.

(1) Shall be red in color.

(2) Shall be visible in normal atmospheric conditions at night from 300 feet to the rear. (Vehicle manufactured after 6/1/71 shall be visible for 1,000 feet.)

(3) Mounted height: not less than 15 inches or more than 72 inches above the road surface for vehicles manufactured after August of 1970.

D. Stop Lamps-At least one required.

(1) Shall be red or yellow (amber) in color.

(2) Shall be visible in normal sunlight and night time from 300 feet to the rear.

(3) Shall be activated by application of service brake.

(4) May be combined with other rear lamps.

(5) Shall be extinguished when the turn signal is operating, if combined with rear turn signals.

(6) Mounting height: not less than 15 inches or more than 72 inches above road surface for vehicles manufactured after August of 1970.

E. License Plate Lamp-One required.

(1) Shall be white in color.

(2) Shall render license plate legible from a distance of 50 feet at night.

(3) Shall be activated by same circuit which activates the headlamps.

(4) May be combined with other rear lamp.

F. Rear Reflector-One required, two permitted.

(1) In the rear vertical centerline; except if two reflectors are used on the rear, they may be symmetrically placed about the vertical centerline.

(2) Not less than 15 inches or more than 60 inches above the road surface.

(3) May be combined with other rear lamp.

G. Side Reflectors (only required on vehicles manufactured after 1/1/68.)

(1) Two red-one on each side as far to the rear as possible.

(2) Two amber-one on each side as far forward as possible.

(3) Not less than 15 inches or more than 60 inches above the road surface.

(4) May be combined with other lamps.

H. Auxiliary Driving and Fog Lamp Aim-Inspection.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Under the same procedure as for headlamp inspection, switch on the fog lamps and observe the location of the high intensity zone or hot spot on the screen.	Symmetrical Beam: (1) Center of high intensity zone is more than: (a) Horizontally: (i) 4 inches left, or (ii) 4 inches right of vertical centerline;
(2) Symmetrical Beam. When properly aimed, the center of the high intensity zone is set 4 inches below the horizontal centerline of the fog lamp and centered on the vertical centerline.	(b) Vertically: Less than 4 inches below the horizontal centerline. Asymmetrical Beam:(Same as low beam headlamps.)
(3) Asymmetrical Beam: When properly aimed, the center of the high intensity zone is set 7 inches below a horizontal centerline of the fog lamps and centered on the vertical centerline.	(a) Center of high intensity zone is more than: (i) 4 inches left, or (ii) 4 inches right of vertical centerline; (b) Vertically: Less than 7 inches below the horizontal centerline.

Md. Code Regs. 11.14.03.08