Emergency vehicles use flashing or rotating lights. Other vehicles require authorization by the SAAQ to use such equipment.
| Type of flashing or rotating lights | Vehicles recognized by the Highway Safety Code (the Code) or automatically authorized by the SAAQ | Vehicle requiring authorization by the SAAQ | Section of the Code |
|---|---|---|---|
Red or white flashing or rotating lights | Police vehicles Ambulances Fire department vehicles | Vehicles used to transport emergency medical personnel or to dispatch emergency medical equipment to a site where an individual requires immediate care Vehicles used to maintain peace, order and safety, to prevent crime and violation of federal or provincial laws or in the search for perpetrators Vehicles used to dispense professional training (École nationale de police du Québec, Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur) Vehicles used by the ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques or the ministère de la Sécurité publique to travel to the scene of a fire or a disaster. | Section 226 |
Blue flashing or rotating lights | Police vehicles | No other vehicles qualify for authorization by the SAAQ | Section 226 |
Amber flashing or rotating lights | Vehicles equipped to refuel, repair or tow road vehicles Equipment transport vehicles Vehicles used for snow removal or road maintenance Public utility vehicles belonging to a telecommunications company (or a company acting on behalf of such a company), Canada Post, a company operating an electrical transmission system or a public transit company | Vehicles used to intercept road vehicles under the powers conferred by a law or regulation (e.g. a vehicle owned by Revenu Québec) Vehicles used by a security agency under contract with a municipality Vehicles that tow a trailer or semi-trailer with a permanently fixed tank, other than the fuel tank Vehicles used by a municipality that are used to enforce road traffic by-laws Vehicles required to travel at a reduced speed or make repeated stops along a route as part of public utilities work Vehicles belonging to a media corporation or an individual licenced by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) | Section 227 |
| Flashing or rotating white or purple lights | Vehicle belonging to a funeral services business | No other vehicles qualify for authorization by the SAAQ | Section 227.1 |
| Flashing green light | No vehicle may be equipped with a flashing green light unless its driver has the necessary authorizations. | Firefighters who have the necessary authorizations may use a flashing green light in their personal vehicle when going to the fire station or the location of an intervention. The certificate of authorization is associated with an individual, not a vehicle. | Section 226.2 |
Unless so authorized by the SAAQ, no individual may install flashing or rotating lights on their vehicle. In addition, peace officers have the right to confiscate unauthorized flashing or rotating lights.
Last update: July 21, 2021
