1. Mandatory Colors for Emergency Vehicles
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75 § 4571 mandates:
- All emergency vehicles must be equipped with flashing or revolving red lights plus a siren or auditory warning system.
- Police, sheriff, coroner, medical examiner, and fire police vehicles may additionally use blue lights, but only in combination with the red ones.
- Combination red + blue is exclusive to these authorized services.
- Unmarked police/sheriff vehicles must also comply.
2. Additional Authorized Lighting
Under Title 75 § 4571(b.1–b.2) and 67 Pa. Code § 173.3 regulations:
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Mounted accessories:
- Light racks, floodlights, alley lights may be added per department standards.
- Flashing or revolving white/clear lights, steady red/blue/amber, directional traffic lights, and intersection lights are allowed (via regulations).
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Interior lighting:
- Fire department and private vehicles (with certified personnel on emergency calls) can have internal flashing/revolving lights.
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Reverse lights:
- Police/sheriff may use flashing red & blue in reverse-lamp assemblies.
- Other emergency vehicles may use flashing red in reverse.
3. Color & Mounting Regulations
67 Pa. Code § 173.3 lays out technical rules:
- Permitted colors: white/clear, red, blue, amber/yellow.
- Allowed modes: flashing, revolving, or steady-burning lights.
- Flash rate: 60–260 flashes per minute.
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Mounting rules:
- Emergency vehicles: lights on cab/roof ≤ 18″ above highest point; grille placement allowed with proper 360° visibility lights.
- Police vehicles: also inside cabin (front/rear), trunk, or side window—both interior and exterior—if visibility criteria are met.
4. Prohibited Use by Non-Emergency Vehicles
Per 75 PA § 4571(d–e):
- Non-emergency vehicles may not use any revolving/flashing lights or sirens resembling those in subsection (a–b).
- Violations result in summary offenses with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000.
- Active use of such lighting outside emergency scenarios likewise carries the same fines.
5. Tow Truck & Utility Vehicle Lighting
75 PA § 4572.1 outlines special rules for tow trucks:
- Authorized to use colored flashing or revolving lights, most commonly amber, as allowed by regulation.
Utility vehicles—such as maintenance trucks—commonly use steady or flashing amber lights for safety. They may not use red/blue emergency combinations unless specifically authorized.
6. Aftermarket Lighting (Underglow, Wig-Wag, Courtesy)
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Underglow lights (neon or LED kits on the vehicle underside):
- PA law doesn’t explicitly ban them, but any red, blue, green, or flashing lights could be deemed emergency lighting and thus illegal on public roads.
- Best practice: limit to white or amber steady colors only, without flashing.
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Wig‑wag headlight modulators (alternating flashes during low-beam operation):
- Generally reserved for emergency vehicles only.
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Courtesy lights (primarily for volunteer firefighters/EMTs in personal vehicles):
- PA allows blue courtesy lights (one or two bulbs, 360° visible) when responding—but limited to volunteers like chiefs or captains.
- These are not emergency lights, so they don’t grant legal exemptions (e.g., running red lights) and must not resemble police lighting.
Summary Table
| Vehicle Type | Red | Blue | White/Clear | Amber/Yellow | Interior | Courtesy Blue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police/Sheriff/Fire Police/Coroner | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (reg only) | ✔️ | – |
| Fire/EMS/Ambulance | ✔️ | – | ✔️ | ✔️ (reg only) | ✔️ | – |
| Volunteer Chief/Fire Police (private car) | ✔️ (rare) | – | – | – | ✔️ | ✔️ (1–2 bulbs) |
| Tow/Utility Vehicles | – | – | – | ✔️ (steady/flashing) | – | – |
| Non-authorized vehicle | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Guidelines for Ultra Bright Lightz Customers
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Emergency Services:
- Only red and blue (when combined) are legal. Unauthorized use is heavily fined.
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Aftermarket Lighting:
- Stick to steady white or amber lights.
- Avoid flashing or ANY red/blue/green lighting.
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Volunteer Use:
- Qualified personnel may install up to 2 blue courtesy lights internally, but these don’t provide emergency vehicle rights.
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Tow & Utility Vehicles:
- Amber caution lights are legal and recommended; ensure they comply with state regulations.
- Wig-wag and headlamp modulators: Unless used by an emergency vehicle, these are prohibited.
Final Takeaway
Pennsylvania strictly reserves red & blue flashing lights for official emergency services, with additional white/amber lighting allowed under regulation. All other vehicles face serious fines for unauthorized use. For aftermarket additions like underglow or flashing fixtures, ensure they use steady white or amber only, and are clearly distinct from emergency systems. Volunteer first responders may use limited internal blue courtesy lights, but without any claims to emergency status.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult the Pennsylvania Department of Public Safety or a legal professional. If something is incorrect and you would like to suggest an edit, please contact us.
