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
It’s important to first explain the difference between emergency and warning lights. Emergency lights are installed on an authorized emergency vehicle and are driven by authorized emergency personnel. Lights are used on the way to and from an emergency. Emergency lights are typically red or blue in color. Warning lights, on the other hand, are used to alert motorists of work done on the road etc. or of slow-moving vehicles.
The Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes define an authorized emergency vehicle in section 23 V.S.A. § 4 as a vehicle operated by the fire department, police department, a public or private ambulance, and any vehicle that has obtained a permit allowing them to operate as an authorized emergency vehicle.
Let’s delve deeper into the various emergency vehicle light statutes applicable to vehicles in Vermont!
Law Enforcement Statutes
Police and Sheriff Vehicles
In the state of Vermont, police, marshall, and sheriff vehicles are considered an authorized emergency vehicle. As such, these authorized emergency vehicles are permitted the use of emergency lights as dictated by the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. In section 23 V.S.A. § 1252 of the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes, it is explicitly stated that law enforcement vehicles are permitted the use of both white and blue lights, or either on their own. Law enforcement vehicles are also allowed the use of red light, amber light, or combination of both. Additionally, the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes explain that sirens are permitted to be used by the law enforcement vehicles.
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Fire and EMT
Fire Truck & Fire Chief SUVs
Fire trucks and fire chief SUVs are also both considered an authorized emergency vehicle in accordance with Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. They are allowed to use a combination of emergency and warning lights including blue, red, amber, and white lights. This is explained in section 23 V.S.A. § 1252. Even though they are emergency vehicles that are authorized the use of these lights, as well as a siren, they are only allowed to be used when driving to and from an emergency situation.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles
Volunteer firefighter vehicles are permitted the same emergency and warning light usage as fire trucks, fire chief SUVs, ambulances, and EMT vehicles. This is detailed in section 23 V.S.A. § 1252.
Ambulance & EMT Vehicles
Ambulance and EMT vehicles each are considered an authorized emergency vehicle according to Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. In section 23 V.S.A. § 1252, it’s explained that ambulances are permitted the use of sirens, red, white, and blue emergency lights. Emergency medical service vehicles are also allowed the use of amber warning lights. Each of these lights must be used only on the way to and from emergencies.
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Commercial and Amber Statutes
Security Vehicles
Security vehicles aren’t mentioned in the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. Contact the Vermont Agency of Transportation to learn more here.
Wreckers and Tow Trucks
Amber lights are allowed to be used by tow trucks according to the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. Section 23 V.S.A. § 1252 describes this. A tow truck when utilizing amber warning lights must place them on the truck in a way that they are visible from all angles. This alerts other motorists of a disabled vehicle being helped on the side of the road. This ensures the safety of the drivers on the road, as well as those driving the tow truck and helping with the disabled vehicle.
Tractors
Tractors don’t have any specific lighting requirements mentioned in the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. The statutes differentiate between farming tractors and tractors hauling oversized loads, however, there is little to nothing mentioned in terms of lighting. Contact the Vermont Agency of Transportation to learn more here.
Utility Vehicles
Public utility vehicles are permitted to use amber warning lights in accordance with section 23 V.S.A. § 1252 of the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. These lights must be visible from all sides so that motorists are alerted of their presence and can proceed with caution while driving. This ensures the safety of drivers as well as that of the utility workers.
Pilot and Escort Vehicles
There are no statutes mentioned in the Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes that discuss what lights pilot and escort vehicles are allowed to use. Contact the Vermont Agency of Transportation to learn more here.
Construction Vehicles
Construction vehicles are considered road maintenance vehicles, which are mentioned in section 23 V.S.A. § 1252 and are permitted to use amber warning lights. These are used in order to ensure the safety of motorists, as well as employees. Construction workers are of course at risk of being injured during road work, and the use of warning lights aids in decreasing the likelihood of injuries happening. As with other vehicles mentioned above who are allowed the use of warning lights, these warning lights must be visible from any and all angles.
Funeral Procession
Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes don’t describe or detail what warning lights are permissible to be used. Funeral vehicles are typically exempt from several traffic regulations and therefore require additional warning lights. Contact the Vermont Agency of Transportation to learn more here.
Personal Use
Emergency Lights on Personal Vehicles
Emergency lights are not permissible on personal vehicles according to Vermont emergency vehicle light statutes. Emergency lights are exclusively reserved for emergency purposes only and to be used by an authorized emergency vehicle driven by authorized emergency personnel.
Summary
Special Permits
In order to apply for a special permit, one must simply fill out a form that is available at Vermont’s Department of Motor Vehicles and also send in the corresponding payment that is required to obtain the permit.
