Kentucky Emergency Vehicle Light Color Regulations
Kentucky law, under KRS §189.920, specifies the authorized light colors for various emergency and public safety vehicles:
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Red Lights
- Authorized for: Fire department vehicles, rescue squads, publicly owned emergency management agency vehicles, ambulances, and school buses.
- Requirements: Must be equipped with one or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights visible from at least 500 feet in normal atmospheric conditions, along with a siren, whistle, or bell audible from the same distance.
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Blue Lights
- Authorized for: State, county, or municipal police vehicles; sheriffs' vehicles; Department of Corrections vehicles used as emergency vehicles; and, under certain conditions, county or regional jail vehicles.
- Requirements: Must have one or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights visible from at least 500 feet. A siren, whistle, or bell is also required, except for Department of Corrections and jail vehicles, which are prohibited from using audible signals.
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Yellow (Amber) Lights
- Authorized for: All public safety vehicles, mail carriers on duty, funeral escort vehicles, and church buses.
- Requirements: Must have one or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow lights visible from at least 500 feet.
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Green Lights
- Authorized for: Vehicles used as command posts at incident scenes.
- Usage: May be equipped with and use a green rotating, oscillating, or flashing light when on scene, in addition to the required lights and sirens.
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Prohibited Colors
- Restrictions: No emergency vehicle, public safety vehicle, or any other vehicle covered by KRS §§189.910 to 189.950 shall use any light of any color other than those specified.
Volunteer Emergency Personnel Lighting
Volunteer firefighters, ambulance personnel, and emergency services directors may equip their personal vehicles with red flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights and a siren, bell, or exhaust whistle when responding to emergencies, provided they have written permission from the chief of their respective department or service.
Lighting for Non-Emergency Vehicles
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Tow Trucks, Utility, and Construction Vehicles
- Lighting: Permitted to use flashing or rotating yellow lights visible from at least 500 feet when operating under public safety parameters.
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Pilot and Escort Vehicles
- Requirements: Must have appropriate warning signs and flashing amber lights visible from at least 500 feet. Headlights must be illuminated during the entire transit, even in sunny conditions.
General Vehicle Lighting Regulations
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Headlights and Taillights
- Headlights: Must be illuminated from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and during conditions of reduced visibility.
- Taillights: Vehicles must display two red lights at the rear, visible from at least 500 feet, unless originally equipped with only one.
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Flashing Lights
- Restrictions: Flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles except as turn signals or to indicate a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing.
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Underglow and Decorative Lighting
- Restrictions: While Kentucky law does not explicitly address underglow lighting, the use of red or blue lights on non-emergency vehicles is prohibited. It's advisable to avoid colors and flashing patterns that could be confused with emergency vehicles.
Penalties for Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized use of red or blue flashing lights, or sirens, on non-emergency vehicles is prohibited and may result in penalties.
Additional Information
For more details or specific inquiries, contact the Kentucky State Police at 502-782-1800.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult the Kentucky Department of Public Safety or a legal professional. If something is incorrect and you would like to suggest an edit, please contact us.
