West Virginia Emergency Vehicle Light State Statutes

Throughout West Virginia the use of emergency vehicles by light is defined by color and function in the state statutes. The legislation defines the color requirements applicable to representatives of specific vehicles, circumstances, departments, and agencies. Failure to obey these requirements or misuse of emergency blinking warning lights on West Virginia state-owned vehicles will result in law enforcement discipline.

Emergency Vehicles in West Virginia Defined

Defined emergency vehicles in West Virginia are defined under state statute 17C-1-6. An authorized emergency vehicle in West Virginia State is defined under this administrative law as a vehicle belonging to fire departments, properly chartered rescue squads, police departments, ambulance services, state, county or municipal agencies.

Emergency vehicles may also belong to private ambulance services, tow truck services, wrecker services, flag car services, vehicles used to provide road services to other disabled vehicles, public service vehicles, postal service vehicles and those equipped with snow removal equipment. Authorized emergency vehicles in West Virginia may also be Class A vehicles (cars and trucks) belonging to ambulance service members, members of properly chartered rescue squads, and any other emergency vehicles designated by an agency responsible for the operation and control of such persons or organizations.

Special permission to use emergency lights can be obtained in West Virginia for tow trucks, wreckers, municipal trucks, county vehicles, public service corporate vehicles, vehicles used for snow removal, flag car services, and snow plows.

West Virginia Emergency Light Laws: Defined Light Colors For Every Vehicle Type Police Lights Only the West Virginia police have the permission to use flashing blue emergency vehicle lights under state statute 17C-15-26(d)(1). The chief administrative officer of the individual police department gives permission for the blue police lights.

West Virginia Emergency Light Laws: Defined Light Colors For Each Vehicle Type

Police Lights

Fire truck lights By statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) of the state of West Virginia, fire trucks are allowed to use red fire lights.

Fire Truck Lights

It is regulation in the U.S. that cars must pull off to the left or right and stop when they become aware of a fire truck’s flashing lights approaching them. This is to ensure that organizations can reach out as quickly as possible to those who need their support. Flashing red lights are important for the rapid visibility of large vehicles such as fire trucks that need to rapidly cross the highway to reach those in need of assistance.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Lights

Volunteer Fire Fighter Lights By Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) of the West Virginia State, volunteer firefighters and EMS workers may also use red flashing warning lights on private vehicles.

Ambulance Lights

Ambulances are permitted to use red flashing lights under West Virginia State Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2), it is U.S. law for motorists to pull off left or right and stop when they become aware of the red flashing lights of an approaching ambulance. It helps the ambulance arrive to support those in need as quickly as possible. Flashing lights are essential to ensure the safety of transporting ambulance and EMT drivers, patients and family members.

Tow Trucks Lights

According to West Virginia State Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2), tow trucks are authorized to use emergency vehicle lights with amber or yellow flashing. Such lights are approved for use in disabled vehicles during road duty, and are designated by the resident county sheriff.

Construction Vehicle Lights

By Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) of the State of West Virginia, construction vehicles are authorized to use amber or yellow flashing emergency vehicle lights.

Utility Vehicle Lights

West Virginia State Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) allows for the use of utility vehicles, such as public service vehicles, such as power trucks, amber or yellow flashing emergency lights.

It should be noted that strobe lights may be mounted on the roof for vehicles carrying solid waste not to exceed one third of the length of the body forward from the rear edge of the roof. There should be a single, transparent lens emitting 360 degrees of light around the vertical axis not to go more than 6 1/2 inches above the wall. In addition, a pilot light and manual switch must be installed to indicate that the light is working.

Pilot Vehicle Light

For pilot vehicles in West Virginia, meaning those vehicles which escort excessive loads on highways, State Statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) allows the use of amber or yellow flashing emergency lights.

Any pilot vehicle in the state must use revolving or strobe lights of amber colour, according to state regulations. An acrylic, glass, or plastic covering used with at least 500 feet of light and visibility must be required. The light must also have a coverage of 360 degrees.

Security Vehicle Lights

For safety vehicles, such as the vehicles one sees monitoring mall parking lots, under state statute 17C-15-26(d)(2) they must use amber or yellow flashing emergency lights.

More information can be obtained by calling the State Highway Patrol office at 304-746-2100 or the West Virginia Legislature website at http:/wvlegislature.gov about emergency lights designated for vehicle use in West Virginia.

For more information on what lights are available to you, please call your State Highway Patrol office at: 304-746-2100

* Please note that these numbers are what we can currently find, and the numbers may have changed since this listing.