PRIA Logo™
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73not60

§39 Traffic Signal Preemption Transmitters

Title 18 › Part I— CRIMES › Chapter 2— AIRCRAFT AND MOTOR VEHICLES › § 39

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is illegal, when a sale or use crosses state lines or affects trade with other countries, to sell a traffic signal preemption transmitter to someone not allowed to use it or for an unapproved person to use one. A seller can be fined or jailed up to 1 year. An unapproved user can be fined or jailed up to 6 months. Traffic signal preemption transmitter — a device that can change a traffic light’s timing or order. Nonqualifying user — someone not acting for a government agency or a private company legally providing services like fire, police, emergency medical, transit, or maintenance; classroom use is allowed.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §39

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly sells a traffic signal preemption transmitter to a nonqualifying user shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(2)Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, being a nonqualifying user makes unauthorized use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
(b)In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)The term “traffic signal preemption transmitter” means any mechanism that can change or alter a traffic signal’s phase time or sequence.
(2)The term “nonqualifying user” means a person who uses a traffic signal preemption transmitter and is not acting on behalf of a public agency or private corporation authorized by law to provide fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transit services, maintenance, or other services for a Federal, State, or local government entity, but does not include a person using a traffic signal preemption transmitter for classroom or instructional purposes.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Another section 39 was renumbered section 40 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 39

Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60