Flashing or Rotating Lights

Vehicles With Flashing or Rotating Amber Lights

Certain vehicles are automatically authorized to be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights. Other vehicles require authorization by the SAAQ.

Automatically authorized vehicles

The following vehicles can be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights without the need to request authorization by the SAAQ:

  • vehicles used to refuel, repair or tow vehicles (e.g. CAA-Québec tow trucks)
  • vehicles used for the transportation of permanently attached equipment and provided with a load space
  • vehicles used for snow removal or road maintenance
  • vehicles used for work on a public utility (telephone, cable, transmission of electricity, mail, supervision or maintenance of a public transit network) and belonging to:
    • a telecommunications company (or a company acting on behalf of such a company)
    • Canada Post
    • a company operating an electrical transmission system
    • a public transit company
  • farm tractors regardless of whether they belong to a farmer
  • tool vehicles
  • vehicles that escort participants during exceptional events, sports events or competitions

Vehicles requiring authorization by the SAAQ

The following vehicles require authorization by the SAAQ to be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights:

  • 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 by a municipality to:
    • control traffic in an emergency situation
    • enforce a municipal traffic by-law
    • conduct patrol operations on commercial or industrial property
  • vehicles that are required to be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights under a provincial or federal law or regulation
  • vehicles with a net weightWeight of the vehicle and the equipment permanently attached to it, excluding the weight of its load. of more than 3,000 kg hauling a trailer or semi-trailer equipped with a permanently fixed tank, other than a fuel tank used by equipment
    • the flashing or rotating amber lights can only be used when loading or unloading on the shoulder of a road
  • vehicles owned by a municipality that are used exclusively to control traffic
  • vehicles owned by a media corporation (radio, TV, newspaper) or by an individual licensed by the CRTC
    • the flashing or rotating amber lights may only be used when the vehicle is parked at the scene of an incident related to vehicular traffic.

To obtain authorization and recognition of a vehicle that can be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights

Step 1 — Filing an authorization application

Fill out the form entitled Demande d'autorisation pour l'utilisation de feux jaunes clignotants ou pivotants (PDF, 150 KB) (in French only) and send it to us.

By mail

Division de la liaison avec les corps policiers (act. 41025)
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6

By fax

418-643-1262

Step 2 — Filing a recognition application

If you have been granted authorization, we will send you an authorization number.

You must then have each of your vehicles recognized by filling out the form entitled Demande de reconnaissance d'un véhicule pouvant être muni de feux jaunes clignotants ou pivotants (PDF, 217 KB) (in French only) and sending it to us.

By mail

Division de la liaison avec les corps policiers (act. 41025)
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6

By fax

418-643-1262

If the vehicle is recognized as being able to be equipped with flashing or rotating amber lights, we will send you:

  • a confirmation letter
  • a recognition certificate
  • a sticker

Processing time for authorization, recognition and replacement is 10 business days.

Step 3 – Keeping the certificate and sticker

  • The recognition certificate must be kept on board the vehicle at all times
  • The sticker must be applied in the lower left (driver's side) corner of the windshield

If you sell the vehicle

A certificate of recognition cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner.

A new recognition application must be filed to be authorized to equip a new vehicle with special lights.

Validity period of the certificate of recognition

The certificate is valid for 2 years.

To renew or replace a certificate of recognition

Prior to the expiry date of the certificate, you will receive a renewal notice along with the form Renouvellement du certificat de reconnaissance d’un véhicule pouvant être muni de feux jaunes clignotants et pivotants (in French only).

Fill out the form and return it to us before the due date indicated on the notice to receive a new certificate and sticker.

If the certificate or sticker has been lost or damaged

You must file a new request by filling out the form entitled Demande de reconnaissance d'un véhicule pouvant être muni de feux jaunes clignotants ou pivotants (PDF, 217 KB) (in French only) and sending it to us.

Important! Remember to indicate the number of the old certificate of recognition and the reason you are filing an application.

By mail

Division de la liaison avec les corps policiers (act. 41025)
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6

By fax

418-643-1262