Maryland Truck Mud Flap Law

What Maryland makes you run

Maryland runs a proportional clearance rule. Buses, trucks, trailers, and semitrailers need metal protectors or sturdy flaps behind the rearmost wheels, hung so clearance is no more than one-third of the distance from the flap's bottom edge back to the axle centerline (Md. Transp. 22-413). The rule never makes you hang a flap lower than 6 inches, loaded or empty. Flaps must be at least tire-width. Roadside, troopers often write a Safety Equipment Repair Order instead of fining.

Coverage and clearance

• Required: Yes
• Coverage: Flap or metal protector must extend laterally at least the full width of the tire or tires it protects.
• Ground clearance: Proportional rule. Ground clearance no more than one-third of the horizontal distance from the flap's bottom edge back to the axle centerline, though no flap ever has to hang closer than 6 inches to the road, whatever the load (Md. Transp. 22-413; COMAR 11.14.04.09).
• Fine: Officers frequently issue a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) to fix and certify within the deadline instead of fining; a payable equipment citation is the alternative. Correctable.

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