Mississippi Emergency Vehicle Light Color Laws
Mississippi law strictly regulates the use of colored lights on vehicles. Only specific vehicles are authorized to display certain colors, as outlined in Mississippi Code § 63-7-19.
Authorized Light Colors by Vehicle Type
- Police Vehicles: Must be marked with blue lights. Only police vehicles used for emergency work may be marked with blinking, oscillating, or rotating blue lights to warn other vehicles to yield the right-of-way.
- Ambulances and EMS Vehicles: Must be marked with red lights on the front and back. They may also be marked with white and amber lights in addition to red lights.
- Fire Department Vehicles: Government-owned fire department vehicles may be marked with red, blue, and white lights if certain conditions are met.
- Emergency Management/Civil Defense Vehicles: Shall be marked with blinking, rotating, or oscillating red lights.
- 911 Emergency Communications District Vehicles: May be marked with red and white lights.
- Wreckers and Other Emergency Work Vehicles: Shall be marked with blinking, oscillating, or rotating amber-colored lights to warn other vehicles to yield the right-of-way.
- Rural Mail Carrier Vehicles: May be marked with two amber-colored lights on the front top and two red-colored lights on the rear top. They may also be marked with a white, flashing strobe light on the roof.
- Sanitation Vehicles: May be marked with flashing or oscillating white or amber-colored lights.
- Military Funeral Procession Escort Vehicles: May be marked with blinking, rotating, or oscillating purple lights
Restrictions on Unauthorized Use
Mississippi Code § 63-7-20 prohibits unauthorized use of certain colored lights:
- Blue Lights: Only law enforcement officers on duty may use or display blue lights on a motor vehicle.
- Red Lights: Only authorized emergency vehicles may use or display red lights.
- Alternating Flashing Headlights: Only emergency vehicles as provided in Section 63-7-19 may use alternating flashing headlights.
Auxiliary and Aftermarket Lighting for Civilian Vehicles
Mississippi law also governs the use of auxiliary and aftermarket lighting on civilian vehicles.
Auxiliary Driving Lamps
Under Mississippi Code § 63-7-17:
- Spot Lamps: Any motor vehicle or motorcycle may be equipped with not more than one spot lamp emitting white or amber light.
- Auxiliary Driving Lamps: Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height between 12 and 42 inches above the level surface.
Rear Lighting
According to Mississippi Code § 63-7-23:
- Rear Lamps: All rear clearance lamps, side marker lamps near the rear, and any other lamps mounted on the rear must display a red color when lighted.
- Backing Lights: Backing lights of any color may be mounted on the rear if they are only illuminated when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
- Auxiliary White Lights: Auxiliary white lights mounted on or near the rear are permitted if the vehicle's gross weight is less than 12,001 pounds and the lights are designed to be illuminated only when the vehicle is not in motion and the transmission is not capable of transmitting power to the wheels.
- License Plate Illumination: White lights may be used to illuminate license plates.
Underglow Lighting
While Mississippi law does not explicitly address underglow lighting, general lighting regulations apply:
- Front-Facing Lights: Must display only white or amber light.
- Side-Facing Lights: Must display only amber light.
- Rear-Facing Lights: Must display only red light.
Therefore, underglow lighting must conform to these color restrictions and should not mimic emergency vehicle lighting.
Summary of Legal Lighting Configurations
| Light Color | Authorized Vehicles/Use Cases |
|---|---|
| Blue | Police vehicles; certain government-owned fire department vehicles under specific conditions |
| Red | Ambulances, EMS vehicles, fire department vehicles, emergency management vehicles, 911 district vehicles |
| White | Supplementary lighting on ambulances and EMS vehicles; license plate illumination; auxiliary lights under specific conditions |
| Amber | Wreckers, emergency work vehicles, rural mail carriers, sanitation vehicles |
| Purple | Military funeral procession escort vehicles |
| Auxiliary White/Amber | Civilian vehicles (front-facing only), mounted between 12–42 inches |
Compliance and Enforcement
Violations of Mississippi's vehicle lighting laws can result in fines and penalties. It is essential for both emergency service providers and civilians to ensure their vehicle lighting complies with state regulations.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the Mississippi Code or contact the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or a legal professional. If something is incorrect and you would like to suggest an edit, please contact us.
