Get a flashing light permit for emergency and maintenance vehicles

Learn how to qualify for a flashing or siren light permit

Get a flashing light permit for emergency and maintenance vehicles

Learn how to qualify for a flashing or siren light permit

Overview of flashing light permits

What’s a flashing light permit?
Certain emergency or maintenance vehicles may be allowed to display lights other than most standard motor vehicle lights, known as flashing or siren lights (or safety lights/emergency lights). These lights and sirens alert other motorists of an emergency or maintenance situation.

The display of flashing lights on such emergency or maintenance vehicles requires a written permit from the DMV as described in CGS Section 14-96q.

 

How to get a flashing (or siren) light permit
Permits can only be processed by mail and cost $20 per permit, payable by check or money order made out to “DMV.” Please complete your permit application and mail it with payment to:

 

Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Attn: Specialized Registry Unit

Please call the DMV with any questions: 860-263-5700.

 

See below for the different categories of flashing and siren light permits and related applications, as well as frequently asked questions (FAQs).

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  • Emergency vehicles
  • Maintenance vehicles
  • Emergency personnel

Emergency vehicles

For flashing or siren lights for emergency vehicles, please complete the application for flashing light permit - emergency vehicles (Form E-215) and submit with a $20 fee per permit.


Below are the emergency vehicles as defined in state statute 14-283(a) that qualify for a flashing light permit:

  • An ambulance or vehicle operated by an emergency medical service organization responding to an emergency call
  • A fire truck or other vehicle used by a fire department or officer of one responding to a fire or emergency call (but not returning from one)
  • A state or local police car driven by a police officer or motor vehicle inspector, responding to an emergency call, or pursuing suspects
  • A Department of Correction (DOC) vehicle driven by a DOC officer in the course of the officer’s employment and responding to an emergency call

Maintenance vehicles

For flashing lights for maintenance vehicles, please complete the application for yellow/amber light - maintenance/escort vehicles permit (Form E-215ME) and submit with the $20 fee per permit.


Below are the maintenance vehicles that qualify for a flashing light permit, as well as who needs to authorize it:

  • Construction vehicles - local chief of police or resident state trooper
  • Escort vehicles (CT) - local chief of police or resident state trooper
  • Road service vehicles -local chief of police or resident state trooper
  • Snowplowing - local chief of police or resident state trooper
  • Utility/cable vehicles - local chief of police or resident state trooper

Emergency personnel

For flashing or siren lights for emergency personnel, please complete the Application for Flashing Light Permit – Emergency Vehicle  (Form E-215EV) and submit with payment of $20 per permit.


Below are the emergency personnel that qualify for a flashing light permit:

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of emergency medical service organization
  • Assistant/Deputy to CEO of emergency medical organization
  • Director of emergency management
  • Fire chief
  • Assistant fire chief
  • Deputy fire chief
  • Fire marshal
  • Fire police
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  • What vehicles are exempt from flashing or siren light permits?
  • What is the fee for a flashing light permit?
  • What are the different colors combinations of flashing light permits?
  • What types of flashing or siren light permits are not issued by DMV?
  • Do fire chiefs and CEOs of ambulance companies have to report issuing a blue or green light permit to DMV?
  • What is an amber light banket permit?
  • Where are the flashing light permits processed?
  • When do siren or flashing light permits expire?
  • How do I renew my flashing light permit?
  • What if my flashing light permit is lost?
  • Where can I get more information on the Connecticut statutes related to siren or flashing light

What vehicles are exempt from flashing or siren light permits?

  • Vehicles owned or leased by the federal, state, or municipal government
  • Wreckers with wrecker plates
  • Escort vehicles with out-of-state registration and Department of Transportation (DOT) permits

What is the fee for a flashing light permit?

A fee of $20 is charged at time of application for each permit, and the annual renewal fee for each permit is $20. Flashing light permits are not prorated.

 

Reminder: Permits can only be processed by mail. The fee is payable by check or money order made out to “DMV.”

What are the different colors combinations of flashing light permits?

  • Amber
  • Red
  • Red and white light combination
  • Red (stationary use only)
  • White
  • White headlamp/amber light combination

What types of flashing or siren light permits are not issued by DMV?

  • Blue light
  • Green light
  • White headlamp

Do fire chiefs and CEOs of ambulance companies have to report issuing a blue or green light permit to DMV?

No. Public Act 15-5 removed this requirement.  However, the fire department or ambulance company must keep a list of permits (Form E-215B & Form E-215G) they have issued on file.

What is an amber light banket permit?

Companies with ten or more vehicles can apply for an amber light blanket permit.

 

Send a list of vehicles along with a check for the fees for total number of vehicles to the DMV address at the top of this webpage. (Calculate what you owe by multiplying the number of vehicles by $20.) Please note that although the agency keeps the information on file, the actual permits do not show specific vehicle information.

 

The list you send must include the following information for all vehicles that need a permit:

  • Year
  • Make
  • VIN number
  • Marker number

Where are the flashing light permits processed?

Applications for flashing light permits are processed by mail in the Specialized Registry Services Unit at the DMV office in Wethersfield, CT. Although we do accept printed permit applications if you’d prefer to drop them off in person, the application will not be processed while you wait.

When do siren or flashing light permits expire?

Flashing or siren light permits can expire on five different dates throughout the year:

January 31, March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.  Most Flashing Light Permits have a fixed expiration date. Below are expiration months:

 

 CEO and assistant to CEO Ambulance. CO  January 31
 All amber light permits  June 30
 Fire chiefs, deputy or assistant fire chiefs  June 30
 Fire marshals, fire Police  June 30
 Directors of emergency management  Sept 30

How do I renew my flashing light permit?

See the following information about renewing your flashing light permit:

  • Permits expire annually
  • Invitations to renew are mailed to customers about two months prior to expiration
  • Any changes to vehicle information should have a photocopy of new vehicle’s registration
  • Any changes to the purpose must have a new application and new authorized signature

How do I change the vehicle on a flashing light permit?

To change the vehicle on a flashing light permit, please complete the appropriate form for flashing light/siren permits (Form E-215, Form E-215ME, or Form E-215EV) and send it with the $20 fee, the old permit, and a photocopy of the registration for the new vehicle to the DMV address at the top of this webpage.

Note: An authorized signature is not required when changing vehicle information.

What if my flashing light permit is lost?

A replacement for a lost permit requires you to complete the appropriate flashing/siren lights permit application again (Form E-215, Form E-215ME, or Form E-215EV).

 

Mail the completed form and another payment of $20 to the DMV address at the top of this webpage.

Where can I get more information on the Connecticut statutes related to siren or flashing light

View statute information related to flashing and siren light permits here:

Sec 14-80f - Mechanical equipment (sirens)
Sec 14-96p - Special restrictions on lamps, flashing lights
Sec 14-96q - Flashing or revolving lights, authorized use of blue or green lights
Sec 14-283 - Rights of emergency vehicles