.33 Training Vehicle Requirements.

A. Except as otherwise provided in §§B and C of this regulation or with prior approval by the Administration, all driver education training vehicles shall be titled and registered in the name of the certified school.

B. A certified school may use a vehicle obtained from a manufacturer-sponsored driver education loan program as a training vehicle if it meets the requirements of the driver's education loan program under Transportation Article, §13-621(c)(2)(ii), Annotated Code of Maryland.

C. The certified school shall:

(1) Provide an adequate number of training vehicles to allow each course participant to complete the course;

(2) Maintain motor vehicle liability insurance on each training vehicle in the amounts established in Transportation Article, §17-103, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(3) Service, clean, and maintain training vehicles on a regular schedule;

(4) Have all training vehicles inspected annually by a licensed State inspection station;

(5) Only use a training vehicle for instruction in the driver education program that has passed the annual Maryland State Inspection;

(6) Ensure the instructor dual brake and clutch, if the vehicle is equipped with a standard transmission, is:

(a) Physically in the vehicle and operational at the time of the annual Maryland State Inspection; and

(b) Operational by producing the same effect as the manufacturer installed original equipment brake or clutch when applied;

(7) Immediately remove from service a training vehicle with any condition that is not in compliance with Maryland State Inspection standards;

(8) Affix signs to both sides of a vehicle containing the name and telephone number of the certified school;

(9) Affix to the rear of the training vehicle in letters not less than 3 inches high the words "Student Driver"; and

(10) Keep the vehicle registration card and a copy of the required insurance certificate for a training vehicle in the vehicle's glove compartment at all times.

D. A copy of the annual State inspection certificate for a training vehicle shall be submitted within 1 business day to the Administration, and the original certificate shall be filed at the certified school's business office. Except for a new vehicle titled in the past year from a manufacturer's certificate of origin, an uninspected vehicle may not be used for behind-the-wheel instruction.

E. A certified school shall notify the Administration within 2 business days, in writing, of the addition or removal of a training vehicle from its fleet by providing:

(1) The vehicle's year, make, registration plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN); and

(2) Insurance and inspection certificates required under §B of this regulation.

F. A training vehicle may not be more than 7 model years old.

G. In addition to other safety laws and regulations for vehicles, a training vehicle shall be equipped with:

(1) Dual brake pedals;

(2) Dual clutch pedals if the vehicle is not equipped with an automatic transmission;

(3) Reflectors or emergency triangles; and

(4) Instructor mirrors that shall:

(a) Provide an unobstructed view of the traffic conditions to the rear of the vehicle from the instructor's seat;

(b) Be affixed inside the vehicle in a fashion that eliminates blurring due to mirror vibration and reduces the possibility of unintentional changes in mirror adjustment; and

(c) Include a second mirror that:

(i) Is affixed to the right passenger side mirror housing and provide an unobstructed view of traffic conditions to the rear and right rear of the vehicle from the instructor's seat; and

(ii) Is not affixed to the mirror surface or otherwise obstructs the driver's use of the right passenger side mirror.

H. The certified school shall make available for use in all training vehicles the following equipment approved by the Administration:

(1) Pedal extensions for the brake, gas, and clutch pedals; and

(2) Seat cushions to ensure proper seating position.