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
In order to explain the Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes, however, it’s important to review some definitions.
Authorized emergency vehicles are defined in Section 46.2.920 as any vehicle operated for the purpose of law enforcement (by law enforcement personnel), fighting a fire, by emergency medical personnel, and a few other instances.
Emergency and warning lights differ in color and use. Emergency lights are most often used in an emergency to alert traffic that the vehicle is either on its way to an emergency and ignoring all traffic laws, as well as to be advised to be careful. These are red or blue lights. Warning lights, on the other hand, are often used in situations that indicate to motorists of a possible obstruction in the road, slower than usual driving, and are flashing white, amber, or other lights.
Law Enforcement Statutes
Police and Sheriff Vehicles
According to the Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes, law enforcement vehicles are permitted the use of a variety of combination of lights – blue and red, blue and white, red, white, and blue, or only blue lights. These lights can be flashing, rotating or alternating lights. This is in accordance with section § 46.2-1022. Additionally, law enforcement vehicles may also use steady-burning red or blue lights.
According to the Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes section § 46.2-1029, these law enforcement vehicles would also be allowed the use of clear auxiliary lights. However, these lights can only be mounted on a vehicle that is standing still or is slow-moving at 15 mph.
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Fire and EMT
Fire Truck & Fire Chief SUVs
Fire trucks are considered an authorized emergency vehicle and as such are allowed the use of emergency lights. Each fire truck should be using flashing white and red lights in order to alert motorists of their approach. This is detailed in section 46.2.1023 in the Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes. Additionally, a flashing amber light may be used as long as it is only visible from the back and not from the front. This is mentioned in section 46.2.1025.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles
Volunteer firefighter vehicles also count as an authorized emergency vehicle. These are allowed the use of red and white emergency lights and are only allowed to be used on their way to and from an emergency situation. They are also allowed the use of amber light, as long as it is visible from behind the vehicle.
Ambulance & EMT Vehicles
Ambulances and EMT vehicles are considered an authorized emergency vehicle. As such they are permitted the use of flashing white and red emergency lights on their way to and/or from an emergency. This is in accordance with section 46.2.1023 of Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes. According to section 46.2.1025, these lights must be visible from behind the vehicle, as well.
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Commercial and Amber Statutes
Security Vehicles
Security vehicles are permitted the use of flashing amber lights when used specifically on the job. Outside of operating hours, these vehicles are not allowed to have flashing lights on. This is mentioned in section 46.2.1025. Not much else is mentioned in reference to security vehicles and warning light usage.
Wreckers and Tow Trucks
Wreckers and tow trucks are required the use high-intensity flashing amber lights in accordance with sections 46.2.1026 and 46.2.1025. These lights must be visible from at least 500 feet in normal weather conditions.
Tractors
The Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes state that tractors must have one or more flashing amber lights in order to signal to motorists that there’s a slow-moving vehicle in front or behind them. This is in accordance with section 46.2.1025.
Utility Vehicles
Utility vehicles also fall under section 46.2.1025. They are also permitted the use of flashing amber lights in order to guarantee their own safety, as well as that of other drivers. The Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes specify that this is the case for any utilities occurring near or on public highways.
Pilot and Escort Vehicles
Pilot and escort vehicles often drive alongside other vehicles that have a larger than normal load, in order to ensure the safety of all the motorists. Since this also means they drive slower and do pose a slight risk to drivers, they are encouraged to use high-intensity flashing amber lights to alert others of their presence. In the Virginia emergency vehicle light statutes, this is explained in section 46.2.1026. Additionally, it is crucial that these lights are visible from 500 feet in normal weather conditions.
Construction Vehicles
As construction vehicles are considered a potential hazard to other drivers due to both their slow driving and their load, they are permitted the use of flashing amber warning lights to alert motorists of their presence on the road. This is mentioned in section 46.2.1025.
