1. Tennessee Statutes on Emergency Vehicle Light Colors
Tenn. Code § 55‑9‑402 – Permissible Emergency Lights
- Police vehicles may use steady‑burning or flashing red, white, and blue lights in any combination.
- Law enforcement (state, county, municipal, TBI, constables, auxiliary/reserve officers in marked vehicles) are the only ones permitted blue flashing lights, and only when on duty.
- Fire trucks, volunteer firefighter vehicles, rescue squads, and ambulances may display flashing or steady red and white lights, including red-and-white combinations (“visibars,” oscillating, etc.).
- School buses, mail carriers in duty, and civil defense vehicles may also use flashing red or white lights.
Tenn. Code § 55‑9‑414 – Blue-Light Restrictions
- Use of blue flashing lights (alone or with red) is restricted to full-time, salaried, uniformed law enforcement officers.
Other Exceptions under § 55‑9‑402
- Funeral procession escorts (motorcycles) are allowed green strobe flashing lights.
- Security services’ vehicles (public/private) may install flashing lights in colors other than red, white, or blue—but only on private property (e.g., parking lots).
- Emergency equipment company vehicles (e.g., installers or testers of emergency gear) may use red, white, blue, or amber lights, but not on public roads.
- Utility, construction, and recovery vehicles may use flashing, strobe, or oscillating white and amber lights while engaged in official duties, and tow trucks may display white/amber strobe or revolving lights, provided they’re not mounted within factory light housings.
2. Unauthorized Lighting & Prohibited Setups
Front Flashing Lights
- Except for factory-installed emergency flashers, no vehicle may have flashing lights (any color) visible from the front, with only legal exceptions listed under § 402(d).
Auxiliary Lamps & Spotlights
- You may install auxiliary lamps, but no more than two can be used simultaneously with headlights, and they must not aim more than 100 ft or shine beyond the left side of the vehicle.
Break Lights and Pulsing Back‑Up Lamps
- Tail/stop lamps are restricted to red; white backup lights may flash only in a panic stop situation.
Aftermarket Color Lighting (e.g., Underglow, Accent Lights)
- Flashing red, blue, or white lights are illegal for non-emergency vehicles.
- Amber/white steady or flashing safety accent lights may be allowed on private property or while performing work duties (e.g., tow, utility).
- General convertible accent lighting, such as underglow or multi‑color LED kits, may be discouraged or restricted if visible on public roads and likely to cause confusion with emergency signals.
3. Additional Vehicle Lighting & Compliance
Spotlights & Grille Lights
- Permitted if they meet the auxiliary lamp rules: no more than two at once, and properly aimed.
Aftermarket “Courtesy” or “Escort” Lights
- Green strobes on motorcycles leading funeral processions are legal.
- Volunteer firefighter or rescue personnel may use green or blue “courtesy” lights (non-emergency) in some jurisdictions—but these lights do not provide traffic exemptions like sirens or red/blue lights.
Underglow & Accent Lighting
- Tennessee does not explicitly ban underglow, but multi-color flashing or strobe effects (especially red, blue, white) risk being classified as emergency lighting and thus are likely illegal on public roads.
Quick Reference Table
| Vehicle/Use Case | Legal Light Colors & Types |
|---|---|
| Police & Law Enforcement | Steady/flashing red, white, blue (only on-duty) |
| Fire, Ambulance, Rescue | Flashing or steady red & white |
| Funeral Escorts (motorcycles) | Green strobes |
| Security Vehicles (on private property) | Any color except red/white/blue , only static or non-road usage |
| Utility, Construction, Recovery, Tow | Flashing white/amber , strobe, revolving – on scene or during statutory duties |
| Auxiliary/Spot Lamps | Up to 2 active ; aimed appropriately , not front flashing |
| Accent/Underglow Lighting | Only non-flashing, non red/blue/white ; avoid confusing with emergency lights |
Note: This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult the Tennesse Department of Public Safety or a legal professional. If something is incorrect and you would like to suggest an edit, please contact us.
