HB 474 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act)

HB 474, the "Clear Before You Drive Act," prohibits drivers in Maryland from operating or towing vehicles with accumulated snow or ice on exposed surfaces - including windshields, roofs, windows, and truck trailers - that poses a safety threat. It directly affects all vehicle operators, requiring snow/ice removal before driving, with fines starting at $25 for first-time noncommercial vehicle violations and escalating to $200 for repeated offenses. The bill also imposes higher penalties - $200-$1,000 for noncommercial or $500-$1,500 for commercial vehicles - if snow/ice contributes to accidents causing property damage, injury, or death. Key provisions mandate pre-drive snow removal and establish tiered fines based on vehicle type and offense history.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act) Third - Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act) · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was amended to expand the list of vehicle surfaces that must be cleared of snow and ice to include the roof, all windows, and the cab of trucks. It also updated the penalty structure for commercial vehicle violations, increasing fines for repeat offenses to deter unsafe driving. Additionally, the bill was renumbered and its status was updated to reflect adoption and committee approval.
Scope change
The scope of the law was expanded to require clearing snow and ice from additional vehicle surfaces, specifically the roof, all windows, and the cab of commercial or non-commercial trucks.
REQUIREMENT

Added the roof, each window, and the cab of a truck to the list of exposed vehicle surfaces that must be cleared of snow and ice.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased fines for commercial vehicle violations, raising the maximum fine for a fifth or subsequent offense from $1,000 to $1,000 (unchanged) but increasing intermediate fines, such as the second offense fine from $150 to $150 (unchanged) and third offense from $300 to $300 (unchanged); however, the text shows a structural reorganization where the fine for a fourth offense for commercial vehicles was adjusted to $600 and a new fifth offense tier of $1,000 was added, clarifying the escalation for repeat offenders.

TECHNICAL

Added new sponsors to the bill and updated the legislative history to show the bill was adopted and reported favorably by the committee.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Mar 20, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 668
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Feb 23, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (128-0-14)
house of delegates
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
12 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors