Transportation (Driver Licensing)

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 1113: Vehicle Laws - Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems and Bus Stop Zones

HB 1113 updates Maryland's vehicle laws to clarify enforcement of bus stop zones. It prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking in a bus stop zone when a transit vehicle is present, with two exceptions: (1) if authorized by the local jurisdiction, or (2) if actively loading/unloading passengers with hazard lights on. The bill also revises legal references from "bus lane" to "bus obstruction" monitoring systems in several transportation and court codes to align terminology. This directly affects drivers who park in bus zones and transit authorities enforcing these rules. The key change is a clearer, enforceable rule for bus stop zone access during active transit vehicle use.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies enforcement of bus stop zones to prevent obstruction, enhancing public transit safety and operational efficiency per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1295: Vehicle Laws - Fully Autonomous Vehicles

HB 1295 establishes new rules for fully autonomous vehicles (Level 4/5 systems) operating on Maryland highways without human drivers. It requires these vehicles to achieve a "minimal risk condition" (like safely stopping) if their automated system fails, and mandates compliance with Maryland's vehicle laws unless exempted by regulations. The bill also explicitly states that data collected by these vehicles (e.g., location, sensor data) falls under the state's Online Data Privacy Act, requiring protection similar to other personal information. This directly affects manufacturers, operators, and passengers of fully autonomous vehicles operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly requires autonomous vehicle data to comply with Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act, protecting consumer data privacy under technology policy.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires safety protocols (minimal risk condition) for autonomous vehicles, directly enhancing transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 698: Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces

SB 698 prohibits operating or towing any vehicle in Maryland if snow or ice remains on specified exposed surfaces - including the hood, windshield, roof, windows, trunk, truck cab, or trailer top - when that accumulation poses a threat to people or property. It imposes tiered fines: $25-$200 for non-commercial vehicles (with escalating penalties for repeat offenses) and $75-$1,000 for commercial vehicles. The law also increases penalties to $200-$1,000 for non-commercial or $500-$1,500 for commercial vehicles if the snow/ice violation contributes to an accident causing property damage, injury, or death. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and defines "exposed surfaces" to cover all relevant vehicle areas where snow/ice could fall or obstruct vision.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits dangerous snow/ice accumulation on vehicles to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety standards and protecting public property.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1446: Commercial Driver's Instructional Permits - School Vehicles - Knowledge Test

HB 1446 allows school district-employed driver trainers to administer the knowledge test for commercial driver's license school bus endorsements, instead of requiring state examiners. This directly affects school bus driver applicants and trainers working for county school boards. The bill defines "School Vehicle Driver Trainer" as individuals providing classroom instruction, highway driving training, and safety standards education. It amends Maryland law to expand the pool of authorized testers to include qualified school district staff.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines school bus driver testing by allowing qualified school trainers to administer knowledge tests, directly supporting transportation safety through improved driver qualification processes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Roads & Highways

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 827: Repair the Transportation Trust Fund Act

HB 827, the "Repair the Transportation Trust Fund Act," repeals the automatic annual increase of motor fuel taxes based on inflation (Consumer Price Index), preventing future tax hikes on gas and other fuels. The bill also prohibits state and local governments from implementing vehicle-miles-traveled taxes or similar fees, while requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to meet specific farebox recovery targets for certain transit services. Additionally, it allows the MTA to raise fares without certain public hearings under defined conditions and bans requirements for devices tracking vehicle miles in private vehicles. These changes directly affect transportation funding, transit fare policies, and vehicle taxation across Maryland.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPrevents automatic fuel tax increases and prohibits vehicle-mile taxes, restricting tax hikes on transportation fuels and fees.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals automatic fuel tax increases (reducing future transportation funding) and mandates MTA farebox targets that may limit service expansion, directly restricting funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Transportation Funding

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 856: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

SB 856 amends Maryland's driver's license eligibility requirements for provisional and original licenses. It lowers the minimum age for provisional licenses from 16 years 6 months to 16 years (with a 9-month waiting period after obtaining a learner's permit), adjusts age thresholds from 19 to 18 years for certain requirements, and modifies driving practice rules - including reducing nighttime driving hours for some age groups. The bill directly affects teen drivers (under 18) and young drivers aged 18-24, requiring specific classroom instruction, supervised driving hours, and night driving practice. These changes apply to all applicants seeking their first driver's license through the standard pathway.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModifies teen driving rules to enhance safety (reduced nighttime driving hours for young drivers).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1522: Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems - Exemptions From Liability - Vehicle Rental Companies

HB 1522 removes a legal exemption that previously protected vehicle rental companies from liability for traffic violations captured by traffic control signal or speed monitoring systems. The bill repeals specific sections of Maryland law (21-202.1 and 21-809) that excluded rental companies and special plate holders from receiving citations for red-light running or speeding violations recorded by these systems. As a result, rental companies will now be directly liable for such violations, facing the same civil penalties as individual vehicle owners. This change affects all vehicle rental companies operating in Maryland, requiring them to address violations recorded by municipal or state monitoring systems. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves liability exemption for rental companies on traffic violations, enhancing road safety enforcement through direct accountability for red-light/speeding violations captured by monitoring systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1338: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

HB 1338 modifies Maryland's driver's license eligibility rules for provisional licenses and first-time applicants. It adjusts minimum ages and waiting periods: applicants under 18 must wait 9 months after getting a learner's permit before testing, while those aged 18-24 now need only 3 months (down from 9 months), and those 25+ require just 45 days. The bill also standardizes driving practice requirements, mandating 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours) for most applicants, with reduced hours (14 total, 3 nighttime) for those 25+. These changes directly affect new drivers seeking their first license, particularly teenagers and young adults. The bill updates existing provisions in Maryland's transportation code without altering core licensing categories.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 60 hours supervised driving (including 10 night hours) for license applicants, strengthening safety standards under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 275: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

SB 275 creates a new license category for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing up to five such licenses statewide. However, it specifically restricts one of those licenses to operate *only* in the City of Bowie. This directly affects EV manufacturers/distributors seeking to open direct-to-consumer dealerships in Bowie without traditional dealership franchises. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to require that no existing dealer holds a franchise from the applicant, and that no controlling ownership exists between competing EV dealers. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license category for EV dealers, enabling direct sales and promoting EV adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates EV dealer license category enabling direct sales of electric vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and reducing franchise barriers for EV manufacturers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 31, 2026

HB 107: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment

HB 107 establishes a pilot program requiring drivers whose licenses face suspension or revocation for specific traffic violations (like speeding or reckless driving) to install and use an intelligent speed assistance system (which monitors and limits vehicle speed) during their suspension period. Participants receive a restricted license mandating the system's use, with fees required unless the driver qualifies as indigent. The program requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to certify service providers, set standards for the systems, and monitor compliance, with failure to participate resulting in continued license suspension. This pilot program applies only to drivers accumulating points for violations listed in the bill, such as speeding or failing to yield.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates intelligent speed systems for license suspension to enhance road safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards through technology enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety