(a) (1) Except as provided in subsections (b)-(f), it is an offense for anyone to install, maintain or exhibit blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights, except full-time, salaried, uniformed law enforcement officers of the state, county, or city and municipal governments of the state, and commissioned members of the Tennessee bureau of investigation when their official duties so require as defined by §§ 38-8-106 and 38-8-107.(2) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (b)-(f), it is an offense for anyone to install, maintain or exhibit blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights, except full-time, salaried, uniformed law enforcement officers of the state, county, or city and municipal governments of the state, and commissioned members of the Tennessee bureau of investigation when their official duties so require as defined by §§ 38-8-106 and 38-8-107.
(2) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(b) (1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to the motor vehicles of constables who are wearing law enforcement uniforms designated by the governing body of the county in which they serve in those counties in which the constables retain law enforcement powers and duties under §§ 8-10-108, 39-17-505, 40-6-210, 55-8-152, 57-5-202 and 57-9-101.(2) Subdivision (b)(1) shall apply only to those counties having a population of: not less than nor more than 11,10011,200 11,50011,600 13,97514,500 43,00044,000 65,75066,000 70,00074,000 according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to the motor vehicles of constables who are wearing law enforcement uniforms designated by the governing body of the county in which they serve in those counties in which the constables retain law enforcement powers and duties under §§ 8-10-108, 39-17-505, 40-6-210, 55-8-152, 57-5-202 and 57-9-101.
(2) Subdivision (b)(1) shall apply only to those counties having a population of: not less than nor more than 11,10011,200 11,50011,600 13,97514,500 43,00044,000 65,75066,000 70,00074,000
not less than nor more than
11,10011,200
11,50011,600
13,97514,500
43,00044,000
65,75066,000
70,00074,000
according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(c) The prohibition of subsection (a) does not apply to official motor vehicles of the sheriff's department being operated by reserve or auxiliary deputy sheriffs duly authorized by the sheriff and appointed pursuant to title 8, chapter 20. These reserve or auxiliary officers operating departmental vehicles shall be in uniform and carry appropriate identification issued by the sheriff.
(d) The prohibition of subsection (a) does not apply to motor vehicles of specially commissioned police officers employed pursuant to § 49-7-118(f) when operating either within five (5) miles of any property owned or operated by the colleges or universities referenced therein, or as may be directed by the chief law enforcement officer of the applicable county.
(e) The prohibition of subsection (a) does not apply to official motor vehicles of a municipal police department being operated by reserve or auxiliary police officers duly authorized by the police chief and qualified pursuant to title 38, chapter 8. The reserve or auxiliary officers operating departmental vehicles shall be in uniform and carry appropriate identification issued by the police chief.
(f) (1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to any privately-owned motor vehicle that is primarily operated for business purposes by any salesperson, service representative, employee, lessee, or duly authorized agent of an emergency equipment company; provided, that the vehicle is marked with the lettering required by § 55-9-402(g)(3). Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection (f) shall comply with the requirements of § 55-9-402(g)(2).(2) Nothing in this subsection (f) imposes any duty or obligation on a manufacturer of motor vehicles used by or sold to emergency equipment companies to install, maintain or exhibit the lighting system allowed in this subsection (f) at the time of manufacture or sale.(3) Nothing in this subsection (f) shall be construed to permit the operator of an emergency equipment company vehicle from operating any lighting equipment authorized by subsection (a) while the vehicle is on a public road, whether in motion or stationary.(4) As used in this section, the terms “emergency equipment company” or “company” have the same meaning as defined in § 55-9-402.
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to any privately-owned motor vehicle that is primarily operated for business purposes by any salesperson, service representative, employee, lessee, or duly authorized agent of an emergency equipment company; provided, that the vehicle is marked with the lettering required by § 55-9-402(g)(3). Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection (f) shall comply with the requirements of § 55-9-402(g)(2).
(2) Nothing in this subsection (f) imposes any duty or obligation on a manufacturer of motor vehicles used by or sold to emergency equipment companies to install, maintain or exhibit the lighting system allowed in this subsection (f) at the time of manufacture or sale.
(3) Nothing in this subsection (f) shall be construed to permit the operator of an emergency equipment company vehicle from operating any lighting equipment authorized by subsection (a) while the vehicle is on a public road, whether in motion or stationary.
(4) As used in this section, the terms “emergency equipment company” or “company” have the same meaning as defined in § 55-9-402.
(g) (1) The prohibition in subsection (a) regarding the installation or maintenance of blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights does not apply to a privately owned antique emergency vehicle registered under § 55-4-111; provided, that the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured.(2) A person shall not operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this subsection (g).(3) A person may operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and:(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated;(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and(C) (i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school;(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.(4) For purposes of this subsection (g), “antique emergency vehicle” means a law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle, as defined in § 55-4-111(b).
(1) The prohibition in subsection (a) regarding the installation or maintenance of blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights does not apply to a privately owned antique emergency vehicle registered under § 55-4-111; provided, that the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured.
(2) A person shall not operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this subsection (g).
(3) A person may operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and:(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated;(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and(C) (i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school;(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
(A) The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated;
(B) The person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and
(C) (i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school;(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
(i) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school;
(ii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or
(iii) The lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights.
(4) For purposes of this subsection (g), “antique emergency vehicle” means a law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle, as defined in § 55-4-111(b).