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

Indiana has laws and regulations surrounding LED lights for an authorized emergency vehicle, commercial vehicle, and personal vehicle. Indiana Code is relatively difficult to navigate, so we did our best to compile the correct information for you so that you can remain compliant is Indiana Law when it comes to installing LED lighting and equipment on your fleet.

Note: Indiana Code 9-13-2-6 goes into detail as to what vehicles may qualify as an authorized emergency vehicle. Those vehicles are defined as:

• Fire Department Vehicles
• Police Department Vehicles
• Ambulances
• Emergency Vehicles Operate by or for Hospitals
• Vehicles Designated as Emergency Vehicles by Indiana Department of Transportation
• Emergency Medical Vehicles That are not Ambulance but are Used for Extrication and Rescue
• Department of Correction Vehicles that are Designative Emergency Vehicles When Responding to an Emergency

No other vehicle qualifies as an authorized emergency vehicle within Indiana Law. 

Law Enforcement Statutes 

Police, Marshall, and Sheriff Vehicles

Indiana Code 9-19-14-5 requires a police vehicle to have at least two signal lamps capable of displaying a red light and blue light. These LED emergency lights must be mounted as high as possible and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. The right light and blue light must be visible to oncoming traffic for 180 degrees. The signal lamp that displays the blue light must be located on the driver side, and the signal light that displays the blue light must be located on the passenger side. The emergency lights must also be capable of flashing alternately between the red light and blue light.

While the police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle is operating as an authorized emergency vehicle with its emergency lights illuminated, it may be used by emergency personnel to disregard the posted speed limit or any other traffic law. This is to allow emergency responders to travel to an emergency scene swiftly to potentially save lives. They must do so with due regard to the safety of all traffic and motor vehicle on the road or highway to avoid a car accident. An audible signal is not required when a police vehicle is traveling to an emergency, as it might alert a suspect of their arrival.

Indiana Code 9-21-8-35 requires all traffic or motor vehicle on the road or highway to yield to a police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle when their flashing lights are illuminated. This is done by changing lanes, slowing down, or driving to the side of the road or highway to allow for the safe operation and passage of emergency personnel in a police car.

Fire and EMS Statues

Fire Trucks and Fire Chief SUVs

A fire truck or other fire vehicle owned by the fire department must come equipped with a signal lamp flashing, rotating, or oscillating a red light or a red and white light. This light must be visible to oncoming traffic 180 degrees around the front of the vehicle. No placement requirements or visible distance are noted. This is covered under Indiana Code 9-19-14-2.

When a fire truck or fire vehicle owned by the fire department is operating as an authorized emergency vehicle, has its emergency lights illuminated, and is using their audible signal such as a bell, siren, or whistle, it may be used by emergency personnel to disregard the posted speed limit or any other traffic law. This is so that they can arrive at an emergency scene swiftly to put out a fire and potentially save lives. When disregarding traffic laws, emergency personnel must do so with due regard for the safety of all traffic and motor vehicles on the road or highway.

Traffic is required to yield to a fire truck or fire vehicle when their emergency lighting is illuminated. This is done by changing lanes, slowing down, or driving to the side of the road or highway. This allows for the safe operation and passage of emergency personnel. This is covered under Indiana Code  9-21-8-35.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles

Indiana Code doesn’t explicitly indicate whether or not a volunteer fire vehicle is covered as an authorized emergency vehicle. That doesn’t mean it cannot be used as one as there are no restrictions mentioned. If used as an authorized emergency vehicle, a volunteer fire vehicle may be equipped with a red light or red and white light that is visible to oncoming traffic 180 degrees around the front of the vehicle per Indiana Code 9-19-14-2.

If operating as an authorized emergency vehicle, a volunteer fire vehicle may disregard the posted speed limit or any other traffic law. This must be done while illuminating emergency vehicle lights and operating an audible signal such as a bell, siren, or whistle. Emergency personnel must operate the volunteer fire vehicle with due regard to the safety of all traffic while disregarding traffic laws.

Traffic is obligated by Indiana Code  9-21-8-35 to yield to a volunteer fire vehicle when its emergency lights are illuminated. This is done by changing lanes, slowing down, or pulling off the road or highway altogether. This allows emergency personnel operating the volunteer fire vehicle to pass safely.

Ambulance and EMT Vehicles

Indiana Code 9-19-14-2 requires an ambulance to have a red light or a red and white light that is flashing, rotating, or oscillating that must be visible to oncoming traffic 18- degrees around the front of the vehicle. Light positioning and visibility distance are not mentioned within the law.

There are also extensive requirements for privately owned vehicles used by EMS. A volunteer emergency medical provider, per Indiana Code 9-19-14.5-1, may have a green light that is flashing or revolving. The green emergency light must have 50 candle power or higher, must be prominently displayed, have a maximum of two lights visible at 360 degrees, may not be a part of the headlamps, and the driver must have a permit from the executive director of homeland security that they always keep on their person.

An ambulance, when operating as an authorized emergency vehicle, may disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law while their emergency lights are illuminated. They must do so with due regard to the safety of all traffic and every motor vehicle on the road or highway to prevent a car accident.

Indiana Code 9-21-8-35 requires the driver of every motor vehicle on the road or highway to yield to an ambulance when their flashing lights are illuminated by changing lanes, slowing down, or pulling off the road or highway altogether. This allows for the safe operation or passage of emergency responders.

Commercial and Amber Statutes

Security Vehicles

Security is not explicitly mentioned under the Indiana code. An amber beacon is permitted on vehicles if they are warning traffic of a potential safety hazard that may be present on the road or highway. This lets traffic know that they need to exercise caution when passing. Indiana Code 9-19-6-19 covers the use of amber lights. Placement is not indicated in Indiana Code, but it does mention that the lights must be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night. 

Wreckers and Tow Trucks

In the state of Indiana, a tow truck or wrecker must come equipped with an amber light to warn traffic of the potential safety hazard that may be present on the road or highway. Per Indiana Code 9-19-6-19, the amber beacon or amber light must be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.

Traffic is mandated by Indiana Code 9-21-8-35 to yield to a tow truck servicing a disabled vehicle when they have their amber emergency lights illuminated. This is done by changing lanes, slowing down, and even pulling off the road or highway altogether if necessary.

Tractors

According to Indiana Code  9-19-6-11, a tractor may have a white or amber light that is visible at 500 feet to the front and a red light that is visible at 500 feet to the rear. Placement is not indicated. No other lights or colors are permitted.

Indiana Code 9-21-8-35 requires all traffic to yield to a tractor when their amber lights are illuminated as the amber lights are used to inform traffic of the potential safety hazard that may be present on the road or highway. When yielding, traffic must change lanes or slow down to pass safely.

Utility Vehicles

Indiana Code 9-19-6-19 allows a utility vehicle to display amber lights to warn traffic of the potential safety hazard on the road or highway due to their presence. Placement and visibility distance is not indicated.

Traffic must yield to a utility vehicle per Indiana Code 9-21-8-35 when it is displaying its amber lights. This is done by either changing lanes or slowing down so that the personnel operating the utility vehicle can work safely and so that traffic can avoid a potential car accident.

Pilot and Escort Vehicles

Indiana code springles in information regarding LED lights throughout Indiana Code 9-21-8. Pilot vehicles are not mentioned as a whole, but specific events are Indicated, such as a funeral procession, marching band, and construction project. 

Indiana Code 9-19-6-19 does allow amber lights to be attached to any vehicle that is indicating a safety hazard for traffic to avoid, so it makes sense that a pilot vehicle may be equipped with an amber beacon that is flashing or rotating. Contact your local municipalities for more clarity.

Construction Vehicles

Construction vehicles are permitted to have amber lights equipped to their vehicles to warn traffic of the safety hazard that is present while they are working on the road or highway. This is covered under Indiana Code 9-19-6-19. Placement and visibility distance is not mentioned under Indiana Code.

Funeral Procession

Indiana Code 9-19-14-5.5 permits a funeral procession vehicle that is operating as an authorized emergency vehicle to display a red and white, red and blue, and red and amber light. If they are not an authorized emergency vehicle, the funeral procession escort vehicle may only display a red light, red and white light, or amber light.

Unless permitted by law enforcement, traffic is not allowed to disrupt a funeral procession. Also, a funeral procession escort vehicle is only allowed to use red light when attempting to gain the right of way. Lighting positioning and visibility distance is not indicated in Indiana law

Personal Use 

Emergency Lights On Personal Vehicles

It doesn’t explicitly state that a personal vehicle may have warning lights, but Indiana Code 9-19-6-19 is not explicit about which types of vehicles may or may not use an amber beacon or lamp when alerting traffic of a potential safety hazard. It might be safe to assume that any personal vehicle may be used to warn traffic of a hazard with amber lighting, but it is recommended that you contact your local municipalities for more information.

Summary

Special Permits

Indiana Code does not mention special permits or permissions for the use of LED lighting on an authorized emergency vehicle, commercial vehicle, or private vehicle aside from the permit required for volunteer EMS from the executive director of homeland security. That being said, there are several mentions of the vehicles having the proper registrations and titles to operate as an authorized emergency vehicle or commercial vehicle, so it can be assumed that the vehicle must be tagged and appropriately titled before having permission to use emergency vehicle lights. 

Takeaway

Indiana Code has some unique rules surrounding the use of LED lights. For instance, Indiana Code 9-19-14.5 allows Chaplains to use a green light when operating as an authorized emergency vehicle. These unique laws make Indiana stand out and create mild ambiguity and confusion when it comes to LED lights on vehicles.

Ensure that you do your due diligence by contacting local municipalities regarding the use of LED lighting for your vehicle or fleet. This article is meant to be a starting point for information on LED lights for your industry and is in no way intended to be legal advice. Avoid costly fees by ensuring that you remain compliant with Indiana Law.