If you’re a car owner, encountering terms like “repair order” can sometimes be confusing. When it comes to vehicle safety, understanding what a repair order means is crucial. In the context of car safety and law enforcement, a repair order, often more formally known as a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO), is a legal notice issued by law enforcement officers when they observe a vehicle with defective or non-functioning safety equipment. This article will delve into what a car repair order, specifically a SERO, signifies, particularly focusing on the regulations and procedures in place in Maryland, USA, as an example.
What is a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO)?
A Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) is an official notice issued by a Maryland State Police Trooper or any authorized Maryland law enforcement officer. It’s given to the operator of a vehicle that has been observed to have safety defects. Think of it as a formal request, backed by law, to rectify issues that could compromise your safety and the safety of others on the road. These orders are issued in accordance with Maryland Vehicle Law and related regulations, ensuring that all vehicles on the road meet minimum safety standards.
Maryland laws regarding vehicle equipment outline the specifics of what constitutes defective equipment and the legal basis for issuing a SERO.
Who Can Issue a Car Repair Order (SERO)?
In Maryland, specifically, a Safety Equipment Repair Order can be issued by:
- Maryland State Police Troopers
- Other Maryland law enforcement officers
These officers are authorized to identify vehicles with safety defects and issue these orders to ensure compliance with safety standards.
What Types of Vehicles are Subject to a SERO?
SEROs can be issued for a wide range of vehicles registered in Maryland, including:
- Motor vehicles
- Trailers
- Semi-trailers
However, there are exceptions for certain types of license plates, which are generally related to vehicles with limited road use or special classifications. These exceptions include vehicles displaying:
- Historic license plates (typically for vehicles 1985 and older)
- Street Rod license plates (Class “N”)
- Interchangeable license plates (used by dealers, transporters, finance companies, or for special mobile equipment)
- Temporary registration plates
This means most everyday vehicles on Maryland roads are subject to SERO regulations if they are found to have safety equipment defects.
How Do You Resolve a Car Repair Order (SERO)?
Receiving a SERO isn’t the end of the road; it’s a prompt to take action and ensure your vehicle is safe. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to resolve a SERO in Maryland:
1. Understand the Repair Order Requirements
The SERO will clearly list the defects that need to be addressed. The vehicle owner is legally obligated to have these repairs completed within 10 days. It’s crucial to understand each point on the order to ensure you address all issues effectively.
2. Get Your Vehicle Repaired
You have the freedom to choose where you get your vehicle repaired. You can:
- Use any repair shop of your choice.
- Perform the repairs yourself if you have the skills and resources.
The goal is to fix the defects listed on the SERO to meet safety standards.
3. Vehicle Inspection and Certification
Once the repairs are done, you need to get the repairs inspected and certified. This must be done at a Maryland licensed inspection station.
A Maryland State Police car, highlighting law enforcement’s role in issuing Safety Equipment Repair Orders to ensure vehicle safety.
The licensed inspector will:
- Verify if all defects listed on the SERO have been properly repaired.
- Certify the SERO if all repairs are satisfactory.
It’s important to note that if the inspection requires specific procedures like jacking, lifting, measuring, or testing, the inspection station is allowed to charge a fee. This fee will be prorated based on their hourly labor rate. If any repairs are not done correctly, the inspector will not certify the SERO, and you’ll need to revisit the repair process.
4. Special Cases for Certification
There are a couple of exceptions to the standard inspection process:
-
Visual Defects (Asterisked Items): If all defects on your SERO are marked with an asterisk (*), it means they are visually verifiable. In this case, you can request a certification from:
- A Maryland State Police Trooper
- A local police officer from a participating police department
This inspection must be done during daylight hours and in good weather. Ensure that all defects listed on your SERO have an asterisk before opting for this visual inspection.
-
Aftermarket Window Tint: For SEROs issued for aftermarket window tint, even if you have removed the tint entirely, you must take your vehicle to an authorized inspection station for certification. This became effective from February 1, 2012. Vehicle owners with a medical exemption related to window tint should contact a trooper assigned to the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED) for guidance.
5. Submitting Your Certified SERO
Once your SERO is inspected and certified, you must submit Copy 5 (buff card stock for handwritten SEROs) or the right half of an electronically generated SERO to the Maryland State Police ASED within 30 days of the SERO issue date.
You can submit it by:
-
Mailing it to:
Maryland State Police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED) 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE Glen Burnie, MD 21062 -
Hand-delivering it to the same address.
It’s advisable to keep Copy 4 (goldenrod for handwritten SEROs) or the left side of an electronically generated SERO for your records and keep it in your vehicle.
Consequences of Not Resolving a SERO
Ignoring a SERO can lead to serious repercussions. If the Maryland State Police ASED does not receive your certified SERO within 30 days, you will receive a notice that your vehicle registration will be suspended.
Vehicle registration suspension means:
- You cannot legally drive the vehicle.
- You cannot renew the vehicle’s license plates.
Furthermore, if your registration is suspended, you are required to immediately return your license plates to a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) branch office. Failure to return plates within 10 days of the suspension notice can result in a tag pick-up order, and police officers are authorized to confiscate your license plates.
MVA branch office locations are available on the MVA website for plate returns.
What if You No Longer Own the Vehicle?
Life circumstances change. If you’ve sold, traded, junked, or otherwise disposed of the vehicle after a SERO was issued, you still need to inform the MSP ASED. You must submit documentation along with Copy 5 or the right half of the SERO, indicating the vehicle’s disposition. This documentation should include the:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Make
- Model
- Title number
- Date of disposition
The specific document required depends on how you disposed of the vehicle:
- Traded: Submit a copy of the trade-in contract with the dealer.
- Sold: Submit a notarized statement signed by you confirming the sale.
- Repossessed: Submit a statement on the letterhead of the company (usually a financial institution) that repossessed the vehicle.
- Junked: Submit a statement on the letterhead of the automotive dismantler or recycler.
- Otherwise disposed of: Submit a notarized statement signed by you explaining the disposition.
Lost Your SERO? How to Get a Duplicate
Misplacing important documents happens. If you lose your SERO, you can obtain a copy by contacting:
- The MSP Automotive Safety Enforcement Division
- Your local MSP barracks
Contact them between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to inquire about getting a duplicate.
Understanding Legal Window Tint and Headlights – Common SERO Defects
Since window tint and headlights are common reasons for SEROs, it’s useful to understand the regulations in Maryland:
Window Tint:
- Prohibited Tints: Red, yellow, amber, sparkling, and reflective window tints are illegal on all vehicles.
- Windshield Tint: Add-on tint below the AS1 line or 5 inches from the top of the windshield (whichever is less) is prohibited.
- Passenger Cars, Convertibles, Station Wagons: Add-on window tint on all windows must allow at least 35% light transmittance.
- Multipurpose Vehicles, Vans, and Class “E” Trucks (GVWR ≤ 10,000 lbs): Front door windows must allow at least 35% light transmittance. Other windows can have darker tint but reflective or sparkling tints are still prohibited.
- Limousines: As of February 1, 2012, limousines cannot have tint on the windows to the right and left of the driver.
Headlights:
- Headlights must emit white light. Any other color is illegal.
- Obscuring or shielding headlights, or using aftermarket clear, tinted, or screen-type covers is prohibited.
Maryland Law regarding vehicle lighting provides more detailed information.
Costs Associated with Resolving a SERO
Resolving a SERO involves costs that vehicle owners need to be aware of:
- Repair Costs: The vehicle owner is responsible for paying for all repairs needed to fix the defects listed on the SERO.
- Inspection Fees: Licensed inspection stations may charge a fee for certifying the SERO. This fee is based on their hourly rate and can apply even for visually confirmed repairs if the inspection requires additional procedures like lifting or testing the vehicle.
Appendix: Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) Defects
The following table lists common defects that can lead to a SERO. Defects marked with an asterisk (*) are visually inspectable and may qualify for certification by a police officer under specific conditions.
| Number | Defect Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Brakes | |
| 51 | Tires | |
| 52 | Steering | |
| 53 | Exhaust System | |
| 54* | Windshield Wipers | |
| 55* | Headlights | • Any required or permitted bulb fails to light• Bulbs must be white in color. |
| 55 | Headlight Aim | • Headlight beam is not properly aimed |
| 56* | Taillights | |
| 57* | Horn | |
| 58 | Driver’s Seat | |
| 59 | Suspension/ Shocks | |
| 60* | Bumpers | |
| 61* | Glass | |
| 61 | TINT | • The percentage of outside light shining through the glass is less than 35% • Red, Yellow, and Amber window tint is prohibited on all windows. • Reflective window tint is prohibited on all vehicles. |
| 62* | Load Cover | |
| 64* | Stop Lights | |
| 65* | Tag Light(s) | |
| 66* | Dash Lights | |
| 67 | Wheel Alignment | |
| 68* | Rearview Mirrors | |
| 69* | Door Latch/ Handle | |
| 70 | Fuel System | |
| 70* | Cap | |
| 71* | Turn Signals | |
| 72 | Wheels/ Lugs | |
| 73* | Hood Catch(s) | |
| 74 | Floor/ Trunk Pan(s) | |
| 76* | Fender(s)/ Flap(s) | |
| 77 | Speedometer/ Odometer | |
| 78* | Hazard Warning Lamp | |
| 79* | Park Lamp | |
| 80* | Side Marker Lamp | |
| 81 | Fog/ Auxiliary Driving Lamps | |
| 82* | Emergency Warning Lamp | |
| 83* | Back Up Lamp | |
| 84* | Reflectors | |
| 85 | External Air Brake Component | |
| 86* | Low Air Warning Device | |
| 87* | Clearance Lamp | |
| 88* | Identification Lamp | |
| 89 | Safety Belts | |
| 90 | Lift Axle Air/ Weight Ratio | |
*Note: Numbers marked with an asterisk (*) are visual defects.*
Conclusion
A car repair order, specifically a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO), is a critical document that mandates vehicle owners to address safety defects. Understanding what a repair order means in the context of your car is the first step towards ensuring vehicle safety and legal compliance. By promptly addressing the issues listed on a SERO and following the correct procedures for repair, inspection, and submission, you can maintain a safe vehicle and avoid potential penalties like registration suspension. Always prioritize vehicle safety and take any repair order seriously to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
