Flashing Green Light for Tow Trucks
Amendments to Québec’s Flashing Green Light Regulation came into force on December 21, 2023. These regulatory amendments will allow tow truck owners to install a flashing green light on their vehicles.
Use a flashing green light
If a tow truck is required by an emergency service, the driver is authorized to activate a flashing green light when going to the scene of the emergency, but only if the truck’s rotating amber lights are also activated. In addition, when it is possible to do so safely and the situation so requires, tow truck drivers who have activated their flashing green light are authorized to drive on the shoulder and stop their truck in any location. However, tow trucks equipped with a flashing green light are not considered emergency vehicles.
Road users are asked to show courtesy when a tow truck with a flashing green light approaches to enable the driver to quickly arrive on the scene of an accident.
Compliance with the highway safety code
Tow trucks equipped with a flashing green light are not considered emergency vehicles. At all times, tow truck drivers must comply with the provisions of the Code, such as speed limits and traffic signs and signals.
Frequently asked questions
For more information and to learn about the technical standards applicable to the purchase and installation of a flashing green light, see the frequently asked questions.
- The light must meet either one of the following specifications:
- be composed of one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules with a flash rate between 1 Hz and 4 Hz
- comply with SAE Standard J845 (February 2019 version or later) or SAE Standard J595 (August 2021 version or later)
- The light may not be a rotating light or emulate the appearance of a rotating light.
- A maximum of 8 flashing green lights may be installed either inside or outside the tow truck:
- the number of flashing green lights installed so as to be visible from the front, the rear or one of the 2 sides of the tow truck cannot be more than 3
- If only one light is installed so as to be visible from the front, the rear and both sides of the tow truck, its maximum size, excluding the attachment system, must be:
- 260 mm wide
- 76 mm high
- 185 mm deep
- If several lights are visible from the front, the rear and both sides of the tow truck, their maximum size, excluding the attachment system, must be:
- 158 mm wide
- 61 mm high
- 185 mm deep
- From the front, the rear and both sides, the luminous area of the rotating or flashing amber lights must be greater than that of the flashing green light. The lights of a tow truck must remain predominantly amber.
The flashing green light must be placed so as not to:
- obstruct the driver’s view
- interfere with driving manoeuvres
- prevent the operation of safety equipment; for example, the light must not interfere with air bag deployment
- present a risk of injury in case of an accident
It is important to choose the right place to install the flashing green light and attach it securely.
No. Since employers may also be tow truck owners, they can decide whether they want to install a flashing green light.
So that when any tow truck is stopped along the road, their amber warning lights continue to signal caution to drivers.
No. A flashing green light can only be used if the tow truck is required by an emergency service.
Last update: January 10, 2024