1. A. Bumpers shall be inspected for broken or missing parts, abnormal protrusions, sharp edges, or conditions that could be hazardous to persons. The bumpers shall be securely mounted to the vehicle and be capable of absorbing a reasonable degree of impact. They shall be the original equipment or equivalent and extend the full width of the vehicle. Bumper extensions or modifications to compensate for suspension changes are not acceptable. Bumper height shall be no higher than 20 inches for Class A passenger vehicles and no higher than 28 inches for Class E light trucks or Class M multipurpose passenger vehicles. Figure 18 BUMPER HEIGHT.

   Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
   (1) Bumpers. Inspect bumpers for condition, mounting, size, and height. (a) Measure from level surface on which vehicle stands to the bottom edge of the main horizontal bar of the bumper, exclusive of any horizontal or vertical extension bars or bumper guards. On vehicles equipped with soft bumper covering, the measurement will be made on the reinforcing horizontal bar. Class E truck and Class M multipurpose vehicle measurement shall be made from the level surface on which the vehicle stands to the bottom edge of the main horizontal bar of the bumper exclusive of any horizontal or vertical extension bars or bumper guards. If the vehicle is not equipped with a rear bumper, the measurement shall be made from the level surface to the bottom edge of the frame side rails. A rear bumper is not required on a pickup truck.	(1) Bumper is broken or missing. A bumper concealed by design behind body components is not cause for rejection as long as it meets all other criteria.
   (b) Replacement bumpers which are made of wood shall meet the following criteria to be considered equivalent to original:	(2) Abnormal protrusions or conditions are present which could be hazardous to persons.
   (i) The wood shall be at least 3" × 6" hardwood (maple, oak, etc.) without metal reinforcement and be adequately secured to the original bumper brackets or in the same location as the original by at least 3/16 inch steel brackets;	(3) Bumpers are not securely mounted or capable of absorbing a reasonable of impact.
   (ii) The wood shall be at least 2" × 6" hardwood (maple, oak, etc.), be reinforced by at least 3/16 inch flat steel, and be adequately secured to the original bumper brackets or in the same location as original by at least 3/16 inch steel brackets.	(4) Bumpers are not the original equipment or equivalent or do not extend the full width of the vehicle.
   	(5) Bumpers are modified or extended to compensate for suspension changes or modifications.
   	(6) Bumpers are higher than 20 inches for Class A passenger vehicles or 28 inches for Class E light trucks or Class M multipurpose vehicles.
   	(7) Replacement wooden bumpers do not meet established criteria or are present on any school vehicle.

   

Authority: Transportation Article, §§12-104(b), 23-101—23-105, and 24-106.1, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: November, 1965

Chapter revised effective February 22, 1980 (7:4 Md. R. 348)

Regulations .12B, F; .14A; .17B; and .20 amended effective January 23, 1981 (8:2 Md. R. 114)

Chapter revised effective October 31, 1988 (15:22 Md. R. 2557)

Regulation .01C amended effective February 1, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 18)

Regulation .05 amended effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686)

Regulation .06 amended effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686); February 1, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 18)

Regulation .08 amended effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686)

Regulation .12F amended effective February 1, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 18)

Regulation .14 amended effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686); August 21, 2000 (27:16 Md. R. 1526); February 1, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 18)

Regulation .17B amended effective February 1, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 18)

Regulation .26 adopted effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686)