Disclaimer

This article was written by a contributing author, and is not meant to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to replace the state statutes. Do your due diligence, cross-check the statutes linked, and communicate with your local municipalities, registrar, or commissioner to ensure that you remain compliant and avoid costly fees.

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State Overview

California is pretty exhaustive in its laws and regulations, and the provisions and restrictions surrounding the use of colored led lights for emergency vehicles are no different. They have a series of statutes and codes with several subsections that dive into the particular nuances surrounding each type of vehicle. Make sure that you follow them closely to avoid a costly fine.

Before diving into the laws surrounding the use of emergency lights for an authorized emergency vehicle, let’s dive into how California defines an emergency vehicle per California Vehicle Code 165:

Any publicly owned vehicle operated by:

• Federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers
• Forestry or fire department of any public agency
• The state or any bridge and highway district that is equipped and used for fighting fires, towing or servicing vehicles, caring for an injured person, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment
• Or assigned by the Office of Emergency Services used to emergency fire, rescue, or communication calls
• any department or agency of the US government when used to respond to emergency fire, medical, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work
• Or issued a permit by the commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to be used as an authorized emergency vehicle

Believe it or not, the definition you just read is in laymen’s terms, and the original code takes up almost an entire page. Now that we know what qualifies as an emergency vehicle, let’s look at the laws and regulations surrounding their use.

Law Enforcement Statutes 

Police, Marshall, and Sheriff Vehicles

Every police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle must come equipped with a steady burning red light per California Vehicle Code 25252. This red light must be visible from at least 1000 feet to the front of the vehicle.

A police vehicle may also have an additional revolving, flashing, or steady red led light visible to the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle.

A police vehicle may also be equipped with flashing upper-beam headlights that flash alternatively to when the other upper-beam headlight flashes. This light must be able to illuminate a person at 350 feet away under all conditions. This is allowed under California Vehicle Code 25252.5.

Per California Vehicle Code 25258, a police vehicle is permitted to have a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the vehicle’s front, sides, or rear. The only other authorized emergency vehicle permitted to display blue lighting of any kind is a vehicle driven by a probation officer. Before obtaining permission to use blue lighting, the authorized emergency personnel must take a course and pass an exam. Still, they are not permitted to engage in a high-speed pursuit.

In addition, according to California Vehicle Code 25259, a vehicle operated by a police officer or law enforcement may display a steady burning or mounted white light to either side of the vehicle mounted above the roofline. They may also use two mounted flashing white warning lights below the roofline.

A police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and other traffic laws as long as it is done safely with due regard to the safety of all others on the road to prevent a car accident.

Traffic is obligated by law to yield to police vehicles by either changing lanes to provide room on the side of the road or highway or by pulling over completely to allow safe passage.

Fire and EMS Statues

Fire Trucks and Fire Chief SUVs

A fire truck or any other authorized emergency vehicle operated by a firefighter or the fire department must have one steady burning red light visible for 1000 feet as required by California Vehicle Code 25252. This display revolving, flashing, or steady red warning light may be visible to the front, sides, or rear of the fire truck or authorized emergency vehicle. 

A fire truck or vehicle owned by the fire department may also be equipped with flashing upper-beam headlights the flash alternatively to when the other upper-beam headlight flashes. This light must be able to illuminate a person at 350 feet away under all conditions. This is allowed under California Vehicle Code 25252.5

A fire truck or fire department vehicle is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and other traffic laws as long as it is done safely with due regard to the safety of all others on the road to prevent a car accident. They are only permitted to do so on the way to an emergency scene.

Traffic is obligated by law to yield to a fire truck or fire department vehicles by either changing lanes to provide room on the side of the road or highway or by pulling over completely to allow safe passage.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles

A volunteer firefighter is regulated by the same rules as a fire department when using their personal vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle. They must have one steady burning red light visible for 1000 feet as required by California Vehicle Code 25252. The revolving, flashing, or steady red warning light may be visible to the front, sides, or rear of their personal or authorized emergency vehicle.

A fire truck or fire department vehicle is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and other traffic laws as long as it is done safely with due regard to the safety of all others on the road to prevent a car accident. They are only permitted to do so on the way to an emergency scene.

Traffic is obligated by law to yield to a fire truck or fire department vehicles by either changing lanes to provide room on the side of the road or highway or by pulling over completely to allow safe passage.

Ambulance and EMT Vehicles

An ambulance or any other authorized emergency vehicle operated by emergency personnel for medical purposes must have one steady burning red light visible for 1000 feet as required by California Vehicle Code 25252. The revolving, flashing, or steady red warning light may be visible to the front, sides, or rear of the ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle. 

An ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle used for emergency medical purposes may also be equipped with flashing upper-beam headlights the flash alternatively to when the other upper-beam headlight flashes. This light must be able to illuminate a person at 350 feet away under all conditions. This is allowed under California Vehicle Code 25252.5

An ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle used for emergency medical purposes is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and other traffic laws as long as it is done safely with due regard to the safety of all others on the road to prevent a car accident. They are only permitted to do so on the way to an emergency scene.

Traffic is obligated by law to yield to an ambulance by either changing lanes to provide room on the side of the road or highway or by pulling over completely to allow safe passage.

Commercial and Amber Statutes

Security Vehicles

What is typically glossed over in the state statutes and vehicle codes in other states has its own comprehensive set of codes in California. The rules and regulations surrounding the use of emergency lights for security vehicles can be found in California Vehicle Code 25279.

A security vehicle may display flashing amber warning lights to the front, sides, or rear as long as they are responding to an emergency for the immediate preservation of life or property. If the security vehicle is being used as an authorized emergency vehicle and is registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs under Article 3, they may use their amber flashing emergency lights on a highway if it is marked with “PRIVATE SECURITY” or “SECURITY PATROL” on the rear and both sides of the vehicle. It must be visible at 50 feet. Otherwise, it may not be used on a highway.

If the security vehicle is found to be in violation of this California Vehicle Code, a police officer is authorized to require the immediate removal of the amber warning lights at the owner’s business or auto shop.

Motorists are not obligated to yield to security vehicles, and security vehicles may not disregard the posted speed limit or other traffic laws.

Wreckers and Tow Trucks

Under California Vehicle Code 25253, a tow truck or wrecker is required to have amber warning lights illuminated when the operator is providing service to a disabled vehicle or when they are operating at an unsafe speed that may cause a car accident.

Motorists are obligated to yield to a tow truck or wrecker when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicle to prevent a car accident. 

Tractors

Surprisingly, tractors are not explicitly mentioned in California Vehicle, but they appear to be covered by the construction vehicles section under Vehicle Code 25260.1, 25260.3, 25260.4, and other subcategories of 25260. Tractors may display flashing amber warning lights to the front, sides, or rear when parked on a highway or at a speed slower than the usual traffic flow.

Motorists are obligated to yield to tractors when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicle to prevent a car accident. 

Utility Vehicles

California Vehicle Code 25260 goes into great detail about every specific utility vehicle permitted to use amber flashing emergency lights. Per Vehicle codes 25260.1, 25260.3, and 25260.4, utility vehicles may display amber warning lights as long as they are performing tasks when parked on a highway or when moving at a speed slower than the usual flow of traffic.

The codes go into great detail about which tasks the utility vehicle must be performing while operating their emergency lights, but it essentially breaks down to using the led lights while on the road or highway for any purpose. Feel free to double-check the California Vehicle Codes to make sure that your specific needs are covered.

Motorists are obligated to yield to utility vehicles when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicles to prevent a car accident. 

Pilot and Escort Vehicles

Per California Vehicle Code 25270, any pilot vehicle must be equipped with amber warning lights visible to the vehicle’s front, sides, or rear. The vehicle operator must receive a permit and may only illuminate their flashing amber warning lights when performing the tasks allowed by the permit. The flashing amber warning lights must be covered or removed when the pilot vehicle is not used as an authorized emergency vehicle.

Motorists are obligated to yield to pilot vehicles when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicles to prevent a car accident. 

Construction Vehicles

California Vehicle Code 25260 goes into great detail about every specific construction vehicle permitted to use amber flashing emergency lights. Per Vehicle codes 25260.1, 25260.3, and 25260.4, construction vehicles may display amber warning lights as long as they are performing tasks when parked on a highway or when slower than the normal flow of traffic.

The codes go into great detail about which tasks that construction vehicles must be performing while operating their emergency lights, but It essentially breaks down to using the led lights while on the road or highway for any purpose. Feel free to double-check the California Vehicle Codes to make sure that your specific needs are covered.

Motorists are obligated to yield to construction vehicles when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicles to prevent a car accident. 

Funeral Procession

Funeral processions are not explicitly mentioned but are likely covered under the same California Vehicle Code as pilot vehicles, 25270. If that is the case, any pilot vehicle for a funeral procession must be equipped with amber warning lights visible to the vehicle’s front, sides, or rear. The vehicle operator must receive a permit and may only illuminate their flashing amber warning lights when performing the tasks allowed by the permit. The flashing amber warning lights must be covered or removed when the pilot vehicle is not used as an authorized emergency vehicle.

Motorists are not obligated to yield to a funeral process

Personal Use 

Emergency Lights On Personal Vehicles

Personal vehicles are permitted red or flashing amber warning lights as long as they are used for police, fire, or medical purposes and must be authorized and approved by the respective departments. 

Summary

Takeaway

California’s Vehicle Codes surrounding the use of LED lights are exhaustive, just like every other provision or regulation in California Code. California is notorious for going above and beyond what is needed or required to mitigate any potential litigation that may arise.

Please make sure to double-check the information presented here next to the California Vehicle Code to prevent any issues that may arise from violating California’s laws surrounding the use of LED lights. Contact your local municipalities for more information.