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
Before delving into the various different statutes around lighting for vehicles, let’s differentiate and define a few terms for the context of this article.
There are two different kinds of lights – warning lights and emergency lights. Emergency lights are blue or red, and warning lights are any other color. Emergency lights are most often used exclusively in emergency situations by authorized emergency vehicles and personnel. Warning lights are instead used for commercial use.
There is also a difference in who is allowed the use of blue versus red light. Blue lights are reserved for law enforcement vehicles, while red lights are reserved for emergency responders and personnel, like firefighters, EMTs, etc. An authorized emergency vehicle as explained by section 20-130.1 is a vehicle that is used in an emergency by official emergency personnel.
Hopefully, after reading this article, navigating the North Carolina emergency vehicle light statutes will be clearer.
Law Enforcement Statutes
Police and Sheriff Vehicles
North Carolina has its own emergency vehicle light statutes pertaining to law enforcement vehicles. Law enforcement vehicles consist of police, and sheriff vehicles, each of which are considered to be an authorized emergency vehicle. As such, they are given special permissions to utilize emergency vehicle lighting, which personal vehicles for example, are not allowed to use.
According to section 20-130.1 of the North Carolina emergency vehicle light statutes, law enforcement vehicles are permitted to use a red light, though it isn’t clarified whether that red light should be a steady-burning or flashing light. Additionally, law enforcement vehicles are allowed the use of a blue light. Similarly, it isn’t clarified as to whether this should be a flashing, rotating, or steady-burning blue light.
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Fire and EMT
Fire Truck & Fire Chief SUVs
Fire trucks and fire chief SUVs are permitted the use of a red emergency light as mentioned in section 20-130.1. The lights should only be used when performing the duties of their position and emergency response purpose. The lights should therefore only be on when driving to or from an emergency situation.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles
Volunteer firefighter vehicles operate under the same rules as firetrucks and fire chief SUVs. Volunteer firefighters are allowed the use of a red emergency light. This light or lights may be used in the case of an emergency, driving to and from it.
Ambulance & EMT Vehicles
Ambulances and EMT Vehicles are allowed the use of emergency lights, as volunteer firefighters, fire trucks, and fire chief SUVs are. The red light or lights may be used when driving to or from an emergency, however aren’t permitted to be used outside of that. This is in accordance with section 20-130.1. This also applies to a rescue squad vehicle.
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Commercial and Amber Statutes
Security Vehicles
Security vehicles, when driving below the speed limit, are allowed the use of warning lights. Specifically, they are allowed to use flashing amber lights. However, outside of official job duties, the lights may not be used. These lights must be visible from 500 feet.
Wreckers and Tow Trucks
A wrecker and tow truck are permitted the use of flashing amber lights in accordance with section 20-130.2. These flashing lights must be visible from 500 feet in normal conditions. The light should be used when arriving at a scene and when leaving that scene.
Tractors
Tractors have very specific light requirements. According to section 20-129 (f), tractors must have a minimum of one white-colored light in the front, and one red light in the rear. Both of these lights must be visible from at least 500 feet in normal weather conditions. If a tractor for whatever reason can’t or doesn’t want to use a red light, then alternatively it can be equipped with two red reflectors with a minimum diameter of 4 inches. These lights are only allowed to be used at night.
Utility Vehicles
Utility vehicles are considered to be part of the group of vehicles that are legally allowed to use flashing amber lights in accordance with section 20-130.2. This is due to the fact that it can impede traffic and therefore be a cause of danger to another driver on the road. These lights must be visible from 500 feet in normal conditions. They also can’t be used while driving to the site, but must be turned on as soon as on the site.
Construction Vehicles
While the North Carolina statutes don’t specifically name construction vehicles and their use of lights, contact the North Carolina DOT to learn more here.
Funeral Procession
According to section 20-157.1, the lead vehicle should be using a flashing amber or purple light.
Summary
Special Permits
In the statutes, there is no mention of special permits. However, most states offer special permits for commercial vehicles that may apply to the use of warning lights. Simply call your local department of motor vehicles and ask if such special permits exists etc. Contact the North Carolina DOT to learn more here.
