Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB474: Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act)
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Prohibiting a person from operating or towing a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions, without making reasonable efforts to remove from exposed vehicle surfaces accumulated snow and ice; and prohibiting a person from committing a violation of the Act that contributes to an accident resulting in property damage or the death of or serious bodily injury to another person.
What the bill says
An act concerning Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act) FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from operating or towing a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions, without removing making reasonable efforts to remove from exposed vehicle surfaces accumulated snow and ice; prohibiting a person from committing a violation of this Act that contributes to an accident resulting in property damage or the death of or serious bodily injury to another person…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act) FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from operating or towing a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions, without removing making reasonable efforts to remove from exposed vehicle surfaces accumulated snow and ice; prohibiting a person from committing a violation of this Act that contributes to an accident resulting in property damage or the death of or serious bodily injury to another person; and generally relating to the removal of snow and ice from exposed vehicle surfaces. BY adding to Article - Transportation Section 21-1135 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Transportation 21-1135. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "EXPOSED VEHICLE SURFACE" INCLUDES FOR A (2) THE TRUNK; (3) THE WINDSHIELD; (4) EACH WINDOW; (5) THE ROOF; (6) THE CAB OF A COMMERCIAL OR NONCOMMERCIAL TRUCK; AND Ch. 668 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (7) THE TOP OF: (I) A TRAILER OR SEMITRAILER BEING TOWED BY A MOTOR VEHICLE; AND (II) A COMMERCIAL TRAILER OR SEMITRAILER. (B) (1) (I) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, A PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE OR TOW …