Internal prototype — noindexed, not linked from public navigation yet.

Md. Code, Transportation § 21-1302

This is the official text of Md. Code, Transportation § 21-1302, part of Maryland’s Code, Transportation — governs vehicles, drivers, and roadways.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

§21–1302.

Official statutory text

(a) The operator of a motorcycle may ride the motorcycle only on the permanent and regular seat attached to it.

(b) The operator of a motorcycle may not carry any other person unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride on the permanent and regular seat, if designed for two persons, or on another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

(c) (1) A person other than the operator of a motorcycle may not ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride on the permanent and regular seat, if designed for two persons, or on another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

(2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a passenger may not ride on a motorcycle on a seat at the rear of the operator unless the passenger is able to position the passenger’s feet firmly on the footrests while seated.

(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply to a passenger on a motorcycle who is unable to position the passenger’s feet firmly on the footrests due to a permanent physical disability.

(d) A person may ride on a motorcycle operated under a Class M driver’s license only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

(e) A person may not operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article that prevents the person from keeping both hands on the steering mechanism.

(f) The operator of a motorcycle may not carry any person in a position that interferes with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

(g) A person other than the operator of a motorcycle may not ride in a position that interferes with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Maryland?

Find a Maryland lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.