(a) A person may not drive any bus, truck, trailer, or semitrailer on any highway in this State, unless it is equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps behind the rear-most wheels of the vehicle or combination of vehicles to prevent the projection of rocks, dirt, water, or other substances to the rear and to minimize side spray.
(b) A person may not cause to be driven any bus, truck, trailer, or semitrailer on any highway in this State, unless it is equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps behind the rear-most wheels of the vehicle or combination of vehicles to prevent the projection of rocks, dirt, water, or other substances to the rear and to minimize side spray.
(c) A person may not permit to be driven any bus, truck, trailer, or semitrailer on any highway in this State, unless it is equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps behind the rear-most wheels of the vehicle or combination of vehicles to prevent the projection of rocks, dirt, water, or other substances to the rear and to minimize side spray.
(d) The protectors or flaps shall have a ground clearance of not more than one-third of the horizontal distance from the bottom edge of the protector or flap to the centerline of the axle. However, no protector or flap need be closer to the ground than 6 inches under any condition of loading. The protector or flap shall extend laterally at least the width of the tire or tires being protected.
(e) If any bus, truck, trailer, or semitrailer, is so designed or constructed that the objectives in subsection (a) of the section are accomplished by reason of fender or body construction or other means of enclosure, either permanent or temporary, then the requirements of this section have been satisfied.
(f) This section does not apply to any farm tractor or to any vehicle registered as a farm truck or to uncoupled truck tractors or to pole trailers or other vehicles where the construction is such that complete freedom around the wheel area is necessary to secure the designed use of the vehicle.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 22 - Vehicle Laws -- Equipment of Vehicles
Section 22-401 - Horns and Warning Devices
Section 22-401.1 - Bells on Ice Cream Sales Vehicles
Section 22-402 - Mufflers; Prevention of Noise; Discharge of Smoke; Maximum Period of Idling
Section 22-402.1 - Alteration of Air Pollution Control Devices
Section 22-404 - Windshields Must Be Unobstructed and Equipped With Wipers
Section 22-404.1 - Display of Emblems and Signs
Section 22-404.2 - Display of State Seal on Vehicle
Section 22-404.3 - Identification of Certain Vehicles
Section 22-404.4 - Identification Decals for Propane Fueled Vehicles
Section 22-404.5 - Power Booster Systems Prohibited; Exceptions
Section 22-405 - Tires Generally
Section 22-405.1 - Regrooved Tires
Section 22-405.2 - Metal and Other Nonrubber Material in Contact With Road Surface
Section 22-405.3 - Spare Tires
Section 22-405.4 - Type of Tires Required on Rear Axle
Section 22-405.5 - Unsafe Tires
Section 22-406 - Safety Glazing Material in Motor Vehicles
Section 22-407 - Certain Vehicles to Carry Flares or Other Warning Devices
Section 22-408 - Display of Warning Devices When Vehicle Disabled
Section 22-409 - Transportation of Hazardous Materials
Section 22-410 - Air Conditioning Equipment
Section 22-411 - Metal Frame Required for Rear of Trailers and Semitrailers
Section 22-412 - Seat Belts Required
Section 22-412.2 - Child Safety Seats
Section 22-412.3 - Mandatory Seat Belt Use
Section 22-412.4 - Seat Belts or Restraining Devices in Emergency Vehicles
Section 22-413 - Protectors or Flaps Behind Rear Wheels of Vehicles
Section 22-414 - Transmission or Reception of Information
Section 22-414.1 - Video Display Equipment
Section 22-416 - Energy Absorption System
Section 22-417 - Seat Back Crash Pads in School Buses
Section 22-418 - Color of School Vehicles