Frequently Asked Question:

Lightbars on civilian vehicles in NC?

I own a North Carolina film production company, and we want to purchase lightbars for our vehicles. We would use amber colored lightbars and they would be flashing as we drive in convoys to productions, so that someone doesn’t get lost. I read the NC general statute that details the laws about lightbars, and I just wanted another opinion on the legality of it. I included the statute below:

North Carolina General Statutes § 20-130.2 Use of amber lights on certain vehicles.

All wreckers operated on the highways of the State shall be equipped with an amber‑colored flashing light which shall be so mounted and located as to be clearly visible in all directions from a distance of 500 feet, which light shall be activated when at the scene of an accident or recovery operation and when towing a vehicle which has a total outside width exceeding 96 inches or which exceeds the width of the towing vehicle. It shall be lawful to equip any other vehicle with a similar warning light including, but not by way of limitation, maintenance or construction vehicles or equipment of the Department of Transportation engaged in performing maintenance or construction work on the roads, maintenance or construction vehicles of any person, firm or corporation, Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Team (REACT) vehicles, and any other vehicles required to contain a warning light. (1967, c. 651, s. 2; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 1; c. 765; 1981, c. 390; 1991, c. 44, s. 1.)

Thank you guys.
“It shall be lawful to equip any other vehicle with a similar warning light including, but not by way of limitation…”

That’s the part that’s in question.
JetDoc, I appreciate your input, though I think your overly harsh response was to keep your ‘top contributor’ badge, and you in fact know nothing about this.

Thank you fire4511, your knowledge in that area makes me feel a little better about it. I’ll just have to find out if I can use them on public roads.

Answer by JetDoc
I’m not an attorney, nor have I ever played one on TV, but…

I don’t see anywhere in the regulation you have quoted that authorizes you to have light bars on your vehicle, and you definitely don’t have the authority to use them on public roadways.

I suppose if you don’t like my answer you could actually talk to an attorney, or even someone from the state of North Carolina.

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