(a) Colored lights.--
(1) Subject to subsection (b), a tow truck may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving yellow lights and one or more flashing or revolving white lights. The manner in which the light or lights are displayed shall be determined by regulation of the department.
(2) A tow truck may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving yellow lights. Subject to subsection (b.1), a tow truck or emergency roadside service vehicle may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving blue lights. The blue lights may only be equipped in the rear of the vehicle.
(b) Limitations on white lights.--The flashing or revolving yellow and white lights under subsection (a)(1) on a tow truck may be activated only when the vehicle is actively performing the type of work which is the basis of the designation of the vehicle as an authorized vehicle or is within the vicinity of an emergency response area. A tow truck may not be operated with activated flashing or revolving yellow and white lights under subsection (a)(1) when:
(1) Not engaged in the act of towing a vehicle.
(2) Brake lights, turn signals and operating lights are visible from the rear and not obstructed.
(3) The vehicle being towed does not trail behind the tow truck and is securely positioned on the flatbed of the tow truck with no parts of the towed vehicle overhanging.
(b.1) Limitations on blue lights.--A tow truck or emergency roadside service vehicle may only be operated with blue lights under subsection (a)(2) while the tow truck or emergency roadside service vehicle is stationary on the side of the road or highway and responding to a disabled vehicle. A tow truck or emergency roadside service vehicle may not be operated with blue lights under subsection (a)(2) at any time while the tow truck or emergency roadside service vehicle is in motion.
(c) Penalty.--Unauthorized use of the lights specified in this section shall be a summary offense punishable by a fine of $50.
(d) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "emergency roadside service vehicle" means a vehicle, other than a tow truck, that is:
(1) owned and operated by a:
(i) tow truck operator as defined in section 2 of the act of July 5, 2012 (P.L.990, No.110), known as the Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act; or
(ii) nationally recognized nonprofit or not-for-profit club or association providing motor vehicle assistance or services to its members; and
(2) marked in accordance with section 4573 (relating to identification of certain vehicles) while being used to assist or service a disabled vehicle in any of the following activities, excluding transport of the disabled vehicle:
(i) tire change;
(ii) lockout assistance;
(iii) fuel delivery;
(iv) battery jump start or replacement of battery;
(v) vehicle extraction; or
(vi) minor mechanical servicing at or near the vicinity of the disabled vehicle.
(Oct. 19, 2018, P.L.547, No.83, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.2156, No.157, eff. 60 days; July 20, 2026, P.L.431, No.33, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 157 provided that all regulations and parts of regulations are abrogated to the extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of Act 157.
Cross References. Section 4572.1 is referred to in section 4573 of this title.