Special Requirements for Commonwealth and Commonwealth Contractor Vehicles - Certification

and Compliance (1) Certification Requirement. Starting December 31, 2025, the owner of a motor vehicle that is subject to the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10, shall certify to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, in a manner prescribed by the Registrar, that the motor vehicle is equipped with Lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, Cross Over Mirror(s), and Back Up Cameras in accordance with the requirements herein. The certification shall include the following: (a) The vehicle owner's name; (b) The VIN and active registration number of the vehicle; (c) The make, model, and year of the vehicle; (d) Attestation that the vehicle has an active registration; (e) Attestation that the Lateral protective devices comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10 (3); (f) Attestation that the Convex Mirrors comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10 (4); (g) Attestation that Cross Over Mirror(s) comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10 (5); (h) Attestation that the Back up camera complies with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10 (6); (4) Convex Mirrors. Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of 540 CMR 4. 10(4) shall be equipped with convex mirrors that are door mounted, wide-angle mirrors that enable an operator to see objects along the left and right sides of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit. (5) Cross Over Mirror(s). Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of 540 CMR 4.10(5) shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on a hood or fender that enables the operator to see objects in the area immediately in front of a conventional cab hood; provided that a vehicle that has a cross over mirror installed shall have a label visible to the seated driver in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 1 1 1, 49 CMR 571 . 1 1 1 . (6) Back Up Cameras. Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of 540 CMR 4. 10(6) shall meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 1 1 1, 49 CFR 571 . 1 1 l (S6.2(b)) through (S6.2.7). (7) Exemptions. The provisions of 540 CMR 4.10 do not apply to the following vehicles: (a) Ambulances, and other emergency medical vehicles (b) Firefighting vehicles; (c) Low speed vehicle as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1; (d) Agricultural tractors; (e) Commonwealth owned vehicles leased or purchased before January 1, 2023; (f) Heavy Vehicles operated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under an emergency contract with the Commonwealth or in service of a declared federal, state, or local emergency until such emergency contract lapses or a permanent contract is executed in its place; (g) Heavy Vehicles operating under a municipal contract and grant program funded with state aid through Commonwealth Agencies, such as a Chapter 30 Program, Municipal Small Bridge, Complete Streets; (h) The Highway Administrator may make a recommendation to the Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, to exempt snow removal vehicles and tow operation vehicles under contract with the Commonwealth from the requirements for special safety equipment contained in 540 CMR 4. 10. The Secretary, in consultation with the Registrar, may issue an exemption for these vehicles on such roadways that are deemed to be low risk for vulnerable user interaction; and (i) Any other class or type of vehicle as determined by the Registrar. (8) Recordkeeping. The vehicle owner shall maintain detailed records of all vehicles subject to 540 CMR 4. 10 and 4. 1 1 . A copy of the certification or waiver issued in accordance with 540 CMR 4. 12 shall be kept in the vehicle at all times. Vehicle records shall be available for inspection by the Registry of Motor Vehicles or any contracting Commonwealth agency within five days of receiving a written request for such records. 4. 1 1 : Special Requirements for Commonwealth and Commonwealth Contractor Vehicles - Certification and Compliance (1) Certification Requirement. Starting December 31, 2025, the owner of a motor vehicle that is subject to the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4. 10, shall certify to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, in a manner prescribed by the Registrar, that the motor vehicle is equipped with Lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, Cross Over Mirror(s), and Back Up Cameras in accordance with the requirements herein. The certification shall include the following: (a) The vehicle owner's name; (b) The VIN and active registration number of the vehicle; (c) The make, model, and year of the vehicle; (d) Attestation that the vehicle has an active registration; (e) Attestation that the Lateral protective devices comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4.10 (3); (f) Attestation that the Convex Mirrors comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4. 10 (4); (g) Attestation that Cross Over Mirror(s) comply with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4. 10 (5); (h) Attestation that the Back up camera complies with the requirements contained in 540 CMR 4. 10 (6); (i) Digital color pictures showing the vehicle, VIN, registration, and the lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, Cross Over Mirror(s), and Back Up Cameras on the vehicle; (j) Attestation that the vehicle does not contain aftermarket modifications or accessories such as bug deflectors, chrome visors, and bull bars that reduce the ability of the vehicle operator to directly see Vulnerable Users in the vicinity of the vehicle or that increase fatality and serious injury risk to Vulnerable Users. (k) Attestation that the operator of the vehicle is proficient with the operation and use of Lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, Cross Over Mirror(s) and Back Up Cameras. (2) Certification and Waiver Process by Vehicle Owner or Representative. An applicant seeking certification or who is requesting a waiver must complete and submit the certification or waiver application, and all required documentation in accordance with 540 CMR 4.11(1) and 540 CMR 4.12, in a form and manner prescribed by the Registrar. The vehicle owner or representative shall submit the completed certification to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the process established by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Once a vehicle is certified, that certification shall be valid for all future commonwealth contracts, provided the vehicle remains in compliance with the requirements of 540 CMR 4.11(2). (3) Review by Contracting Commonwealth Agency. The contracting Commonwealth Agency shall review their contractor's submission to the Registry of Motor Vehicles for a request for certification or waiver and confirm, to the best of their knowledge, that their contractor has submitted the required documentation, in accordance with the process established by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. (4) Certification and Alternative Means of Compliance. A vehicle's characteristics or component parts can be regarded as an alternative means of compliance, adequate replacement, or functional or safety equivalent substitute for the requirements, standards and specifications for Lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, or Cross Over Mirror(s) contained herein. Any request for an alternative means of compliance is subject to the approval of the Registrar and the certification requirements in 540 CMR 4.11(1)(2).