The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 23 : Motor Vehicles
Chapter 013 : Operation of Vehicles
Subchapter 014 : EQUIPMENT
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1251)-
§ 1251. Sirens and emergency warning lamps; out-of-state emergency and rescue vehicles
(a) Prohibition. A motor vehicle shall not be operated upon a highway of this State equipped with any of the following:
(1) a siren unless either a permit authorizing the siren, issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, is carried in the vehicle or a permit is not required pursuant to section 1252 of this subchapter;
(2) an emergency warning lamp unless either a permit authorizing the emergency warning lamp, issued by the Commissioner, is carried in the vehicle or a permit is not required pursuant to section 1252 of this subchapter;
(3) a blue light of any kind unless either a permit authorizing the blue light, issued by the Commissioner, is carried in the vehicle or a permit is not required pursuant to section 1252 of this subchapter; or
(4) a lamp or lamps that are not emergency warning lamps and provide a flashing light in a color other than amber, except that this prohibition shall not apply to a motorcycle headlamp modulation system that meets the criteria specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, codified at 49 C.F.R. § 571.108.
(b) Permit transfer. A permit may be transferred following the same procedure and subject to the same time limits as set forth in section 321 of this title. The Commissioner may adopt additional rules as may be required to govern the acquisition of permits and the use pertaining to sirens and emergency warning lamps.
(c) Exception for vehicles from another state. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, when responding to emergencies, law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, fire vehicles, or vehicles owned or leased by, or provided to, volunteer firefighters or rescue squad members that are registered or licensed by another state or province may use sirens and emergency warning lamps in Vermont, and a permit shall not be required for such use, provided the vehicle is properly permitted or otherwise permitted to use the sirens and emergency warning lamps without permit in its home state or province. (Amended 1967, No. 265 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1985, No. 85, § 6; 2001, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 39; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. June 1, 2010; 2023, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 2024.)
