Md. Code Regs. 11.14.04.16 - Vehicle Glazing

A. Safety glazing material is marked with the manufacturer's distinctive designation or trademark, model number and the letters "AS" followed by a number from 1 through 16B, which indicates where the glazing may be used on the vehicle. Safety glazing material also has the symbol "DOT" (Department of Transportation) and a manufacturer's code mark that the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) assigns to the manufacturer. Any questions regarding glazing shall be referred to the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of State Police.

B. Proper Marking and Operation.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Proper Marking: Inspect glazing material for proper markings. The following is a brief list of "AS" markings and applications. Safety glazing material marked: (a) AS-1 is used in the windshield and may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle. (b) AS-2 may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle except for the windshield. (c) AS-3 may be used in windows to the rear of the driver in trucks, truck tractors, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles. The vehicle must be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side. (d) AS-10 may be used where bullet resistance is required anywhere in a motor vehicle including the windshield.	(1) Improper or unmarked glazing materials are used for specific positions.
(2) Window on Driver's Side: Inspect operation of window at driver's side. Window shall open and close readily even though the vehicle has approved turn signals.	(2) Window on driver's side does not open and close as designed to permit arm signals.
(3) Side Windows, Emergency Window Exits, and Roof Vent/Emergency Exits (school vehicles only): (a) Side Windows. (i) Open and close each passenger compartment side window and inspect for proper operation. (ii) Inspect passenger compartment side windows for unframed exposed edges of glass. (b) Side Emergency Windows (if equipped). (i) Inspect inside release mechanism. (ii) Check operation. (iii) Check function of audible signal. (c) Rear Emergency Window (if equipped). (i) Inspect inside and outside release mechanism. (ii) Check operation. (iii) Check function of audible signal. (d) Roof Vent/Emergency Exit. (i) Inspect release mechanism. (ii) Check operation. (iii) If equipped, check function of audible signal.	(3) Side Windows, Emergency Window Exits, and Roof Vent/Emergency Exits (school vehicles only): (a) Side Windows. (i) Any side window fails to function as designed. (ii) Any exposed edges of glass are not framed or framing is loose or broken. (b) Side Emergency Windows (if equipped). (i) Window release mechanism is loose or broken. (ii) Window will not operate properly. (iii) Audible signal fails to function in driver's compartment and indicate to the seated driver when the engine is running a distinctive audible signal when release mechanism is moved, or sounds continuously when release mechanism is latched. (c) Rear Emergency Window (if equipped). (i) Window release mechanism is loose or broken. (ii) Window will not operate property. (iii) Audible signal fails to function in driver's compartment and indicate to the seated driver when the engine is running a distinctive audible signal when release mechanism is moved, or sounds continuously when release mechanism is latched. (d) Roof Vent/Emergency Exit. (i) Release mechanism is loose or broken. (ii) Fails to operate properly. (iii) Audible signal, if equipped, fails to function in driver's compartment and indicate to the seated driver when the engine is running a distinctive audible signal when release mechanism is moved, or sounds continuously when release mechanism is latched.

C. Signs and Materials on Windshield or Windows. Inspect all glazing for unauthorized material or conditions that obscure the driver's vision.

Procedures:

Reject Vehicle If:

(1) Except as provided in §C(2) of this regulation, a vehicle may not be equipped with any sign, poster, card, sticker, or other nontransparent material on the windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle. (2) This does not apply to: (a) Materials placed on the windshield or rear window, within a 7 inch square area in the lower corner, or on the side windows of the vehicle to the rear of the driver, if the materials are placed so as not to interfere with the driver's clear view of traffic; (b) Direction, destination, or termini signs on any passenger common carrier motor vehicle; (c) An electronic toll collection device placed in the windshield of a vehicle in accordance with guidelines established by the Maryland Transportation Authority; or (d) Security stickers authorized by a federal or State government agency that measure not more than 2 inches high and not more than 4 inches long, and are placed at the upper edge of the center of the windshield. (3) All vehicles equipped with permitted signs, posters, cards, stickers or other nontransparent materials on windows to the rear of the driver must be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.

(1)(a) Glazed surfaces contain any sign, poster, card, decal, sticker, or other nontransparent material in violation of this regulation. (b) Driver's vision is obscured. (c) Equipped with permitted signs, posters, cards, stickers, or other nontransparent materials on windows to the rear of the driver and not equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.

D. Post Manufacture Window Tinting.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect all glazing for the application of post manufacture window tint. The following post manufacture window tint is prohibited on any window or windshield of any vehicle. Window tint that: (a) Has a mirrored or one-way vision effect or a sparkling effect; (b) Is red, yellow, or amber in color; or (c) Changes to a red, yellow, or amber color.	(1) Any glazing contains post manufacture window tint that causes a mirrored or one-way vision effect, a sparkling effect, is a prohibited color, or changes to a prohibited color.
(2) Post manufacture window tint is prohibited on the following vehicles in the listed locations: (a) The application of post manufacture window tint to the windshield or windows to the immediate right and left of the driver is prohibited on the following vehicles: (i) Trucks, truck tractors and buses; (ii) Multipurpose passenger vehicles which have a seating capacity for 16 or more passengers including the driver, or were previously registered as a school vehicle or a passenger bus, and used to primarily transport passengers, or used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise; and (iii) Limousines. (b) Windows of these vehicles to the rear of the driver may be tinted with post manufacture window tint to any degree of darkness provided the vehicle is equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.	(2)(a) Post manufacture window tint is applied to glazing in violation of this regulation. (b) Equipped with permitted post manufacture window tint on any side or rear window and is not equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.
(3) Post manufacture window tint is prohibited on all windows and windshield of a school vehicle.	(3) Post manufacture window tint is applied to glazing in violation of this regulation.
(4) Post manufacture window tint is acceptable on the following vehicles in the listed locations: (a) All other multipurpose passenger vehicles. (i) All side windows of these vehicles to the immediate right and left of the driver are regulated windows requiring at least 35 percent light transmittance after the application of post manufacture window tint. (ii) Windshield. Post manufacture window tint may not be applied to the windshield below the AS1 line or below 5 inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is less. (iii) Windows of these vehicles to the rear of the driver may be tinted with post manufacture window tint to any degree of darkness. (iv) When equipped with permitted post manufacture window tint on any side or rear window, the vehicle must be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side. (b) Inspect the light transmittance of each vehicle window equipped with post manufacture window tint and required to have at least 35 percent light transmittance after the application of post manufacture window tint.	(4)(a) Post manufacture window tint is applied to glazing in violation of this regulation. (b) Equipped with permitted post manufacture window tint on any side or rear window and is not equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.
(5) Tint Manufacturer's Labels (if equipped): Tint manufacturer's labels may not be of a size or positioned in a manner that affects the driver's vision or obscures the glazing manufacturer's trademark or AS indicator.	(5) Tint manufacturer label, if equipped, is of a size or positioned in a manner that affects the driver's vision or obscures the glazing manufacturer's trademark or AS indicator.
(6) Medical Exemption. (Applicable only to multipurpose passenger vehicles noted in §D(4) of this regulation.) Transportation Article, § 22-406, Annotated Code of Maryland, provides an exemption for a person who must be protected from the sun for medical reasons from having a light transmittance of at least 35 percent on regulated windows equipped with post manufacture window tint. The law requires the owner to have, in the vehicle at the time the vehicle is stopped by a police officer, a written certification that details the owner's medical need for tinted windows, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State. A vehicle owner whose vehicle is undergoing an inspection, or has been issued a safety equipment repair order for defect #61 "TINT", and indicates to the authorized inspection station their compliance with a medical exemption, shall be referred to the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of State Police for examination of the vehicle owner's medical documentation and the vehicle's post manufacture window tint. If the owner meets the requirements specified in Transportation Article, § 22-406, Annotated Code of Maryland, for the medical exemption and the vehicle is compliant with all post manufacture window tinting regulations in this chapter, excluding the light transmittance requirement of regulated windows equipped with post manufacture window tint, the Division, when applicable, shall be authorized to: (a) Issue a post manufacture window tint medical exemption form to be provided to the authorized inspection station performing an inspection of the vehicle which shall permit the registered inspection mechanic to exempt the vehicle's windows equipped with post manufacture window tint from meeting the light transmittance requirement; or (b) Certify the safety equipment repair order for defect #61 "TINT".

E. Definitions.

(1) "Acute area" means the windshield area 8 inches wide by 5 inches high, located directly in front of the driver, centered vertically on the steering wheel of the vehicle and horizontally in the center of the critical area.

(2) "Cloudiness" means any degree of visible discoloration or separation, except tinting that does not affect clear vision.

(3) "Critical area" means the normal windshield wiper sweep, except the area obscured by the hood, fenders, or rearview mirror.

(4) "Discoloration" means a condition which impairs the transparency of the glazing.

(5) "Non-critical area" means all windshield area outside the critical area.

(6) "Normal windshield wiper sweep" means the area of the windshield cleaned by the windshield wiper, excluding the return position on both passenger's and driver's sides.

F. Glazing Damage.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect all windows for modification, damage, sharp edges, and discoloration of the glazing.	(1) (a) Any window is missing, modified, broken or has exposed sharp edges. (b) There are cracks, discoloration, scratches, or conditions which interfere with the driver's view to the right or left. (c) The rear window is discolored so that the driver does not have a clear view 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle. (d) The driver's view to the rear is obscured or obstructed and the vehicle is not equipped with an outside rearview mirror on each side.
(2) Windshield: Inspect windshield for modification and any cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures, discoloration, sharp edges, and wiper blade scratches.	(2) Windshield: (a) Is missing or has been modified. (b) Driver's Side: (i) Cloudiness exceeds 1 inch from the top or side or 1 inch into the critical area from the bottom. If the windshield is divided, the cloudiness may not exceed 1/2 inch from the center divider. (ii) Acute area contains any one crack, nick, pit, chip, star break, half moon or bull's-eye fracture in excess of 1/4 inch in diameter or length, or any combination of individual cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures which cumulatively exceed 1/4 inch in diameter or length, or any permanent condition which significantly interferes with the driver's vision. (iii) Critical area contains wiper blade scratches which are severe enough to distort vision, or any one crack, nick, pit, chip, star break, half moon or bull's-eye fracture in excess of 1/2 inch in diameter or length, or any combination of individual cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures which cumulatively exceed 1/2 inch in diameter or length, or any permanent condition which significantly interferes with the driver's vision except in the permitted cloudy area. (iv) Non-critical area contains any intersecting cracks or any one crack or combination of individual cracks extending inward more than 2 inches separately or cumulatively from the outer frame on flat or curved windshields or over 4 inches on wraparound windshields, or any one crack, nick, pit, chip, star break, half moon or bull's-eye fracture in excess of 3/4 inch in diameter or length, or any combination of individual cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures which cumulatively exceed 3/4 inch in diameter or length, or any permanent condition which significantly interferes with the driver's vision except in the permitted cloudy area. (c) Passenger Side: (i) Cloudiness exceeds 2 inches from the top or side or extends more than 2 inches into the critical area from the bottom. If the windshield is divided, the cloudiness may not exceed 1/2 inch from the center divider. (ii) Critical area contains wiper blade scratches which are severe enough to distort vision, or any one crack, nick, pit, chip, star break, half moon or bull's-eye fracture in excess of 1/2 inch in diameter or length, or any combination of individual cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures which cumulatively exceed 1/2 inch in diameter or length, or any permanent condition which significantly interferes with the driver's vision except in the permitted cloudy area. (iii) Non-critical area contains any intersecting cracks or any one crack or combination of individual cracks extending inward more than 4 inches separately or cumulatively from the outer frame on flat or curved windshields or over 6 inches on wraparound windshields, or any one crack, nick, pit, chip, star break, half moon or bull's-eye fracture in excess of 1-1/2 inches in diameter or length, or any combination of individual cracks, nicks, pits, chips, star breaks, half moons or bull's-eye fractures which cumulatively exceed 1-1/2 inches in diameter or length, or any permanent condition which significantly interferes with the driver's vision except in the permitted cloudy area.

Figure 32-VEHICLE GLAZING.

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Notes

Md. Code Regs. 11.14.04.16

Regulation .16 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)