(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title and subject to § 24-104.1 of this subtitle and subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, a person may operate a semitrailer (single) in combination with a truck tractor that exceeds 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet.

(b) (1) A vehicle combination described under subsection (a) of this section may be operated only on:

(i) Those parts of the national interstate highway system and those State highways that are designated by the Secretary, after consultation with either the county executive, the county commissioners, the County Council of Talbot County or Wicomico County, or the Mayor of Baltimore City, or their designees, as appropriate;

(ii) Except in Baltimore City, a highway, authorized by the Secretary, that is the shortest practical access route between a highway designated under item (i) of this paragraph and:

1. A truck terminal;

2. A port;

3. A point of origin or destination; or

4. For a distance not to exceed one-half mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest; or

(iii) In Baltimore City, a street authorized by the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee in conjunction with the Secretary that is the safest practical route between a highway designated under item (i) of this paragraph and:

1. A truck terminal;

2. A port facility;

3. A point of origin; or

4. A point of destination.

(2) The Secretary shall adopt regulations establishing designated highways, a method for approving access routes, and other criteria necessary to implement this subsection.

(c) A vehicle combination operating under this section may operate in this State only under the following conditions:

(1) The wheelbase of the semitrailer, measured as the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear tandem axles, may not exceed 41 feet in length.

(2) The kingpin setback, measured as the distance from the kingpin to the front of the semitrailer, may not exceed 4 feet in length.

(3) The rear overhang, measured as the distance from the center of the rear tandem axles to the rear of the semitrailer, may not exceed 35 percent of the wheelbase of the semitrailer.

(4) (i) The width of the semitrailer shall be at least 96 inches and not more than 102 inches.

(ii) The distance between the outside edges of the semitrailer’s tires shall be equal to the width of the semitrailer.

(5) The semitrailer shall be equipped with:

(i) Vehicle lights which comply with or exceed federal standards; and

(ii) After December 31, 1993, or a date established by the Secretary that is at least 6 months after the effective date of the applicable federal standards, whichever is later, reflective material that is consistent with the standards for conspicuity promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(6) The semitrailer shall be equipped with a rear underride guard of sufficient strength to prevent a motor vehicle from penetrating underneath the semitrailer. The rear underride guard shall extend across the rear of the semitrailer to within 4 inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer, and placed at a height not exceeding 22 inches from the surface as measured when the semitrailer is on a level surface.

(7) Conspicuous warnings shall be displayed on the semitrailer, in a manner prescribed by the Administration, indicating that the vehicle combination has a wide turning radius.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if the Secretary determines that the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are violated by a substantial number of persons or if specific provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are held invalid by a binding determination of the Federal Highway Administration or a court of competent jurisdiction:

(1) The Department, after a public hearing, may issue a special permit to allow a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck tractor, to exceed 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet;

(2) A person may not drive or permit to be driven on any publicly maintained highway a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck tractor, that exceeds 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet, unless a valid special permit issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection or a facsimile of a valid special permit is carried in or on the vehicle combination; and

(3) The Secretary may adopt regulations:

(i) That are consistent with the standards established in this section, for the issuance of permits for vehicle combinations described under subsection (a) of this section; and

(ii) That exempt from the requirements of, or provide alternative requirements to, subsection (c) of this section for a vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1991, if the vehicle cannot meet the requirements.

(e) A special permit issued under subsection (d)(1) of this section:

(1) May be issued without a fee;

(2) May be a renewable blanket permit; and

(3) Shall expire on a date determined by the Secretary.