Crossing state lines

[SO Brite Lighting]

If each state has specific laws on type, colour and placement of lights on vehicles; then what happens when you drive a marked (or unmarked) vehicle across state lines to attend training, trade shows or official business? What happens if a Canadian vehicle does the same?

 

[Bobcat753]

Well you probably don't have them on so its not a problem.

 

[TritonBoulder47]

It all depends...  I drove both of these vehicles from PA to NC numerous times and was never hassled about it...  (even got requests to see them lit up by a couple of LEOs down in NC...  lol)

My Tahoe:



My Avalanche:

 

[SO Brite Lighting]

Bobcat; you're right, it's not like you would be driving around with them on.


I ask because I recently did some training with the ATF (they came up to Canada!) and during conversation this topic came up. When a department wants to send people down to The USA for training, most want you to drive a company car. Some fully marked, some not. On the flip side, a U.S. vehicle in Canada doesn't seem to be an issue at all... At least in Ontario.


Now... What about demo cars from SOS, Fed Sig and so on...??

 

[TritonBoulder47]

Demo Cars are usually all clearly marked "Demonstration Unit" or something similar...  

 

[Phoenix_Rising]

i drive from PA where im a FF/EMT to MD,NY,VA and NJ frequently. Clear lenses help but even when I had colored lenses I never had an issue

 

[unlisted]

I've never had issue driving my personal vehicle in multiple states in eastern and a few in western USA. ..


Mind you most my lighting is very minimal.


I cannot see you having any issues so Brite lighting with either your personal or company ride(s). Once you get to the border and explain what you are going there for CBP won't have any issue. My best suggestion would be to carry a "letter of invite" or some ittinary from the host agency to show at the border if requested.

 

[Storm82]

I haven't had any issue going into other states with my POV.


I remember seeing kids at college who would be driving a POV, they would have the lights covered, particularly if the were from Indiana.


On a side note, I noticed when I was reading up on the light laws in MD, that there is a provision to allow an out of state emergency vehicle or POV, to run their lights and siren, if responding to an active scene to assist.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

 

[Phillyrube]

It all depends...  I drove both of these vehicles from PA to NC numerous times and was never hassled about it...  (even got requests to see them lit up by a couple of LEOs down in NC...  lol)

My Tahoe:

Installed02.jpg

My Avalanche:

2011-10-09_15-24-09_756.JPG

2012-06-12_10-25-52_938.JPG

"The difference between the men and the boys....


are the price of the blue lights on top of their toys....."


Old PA volunteer fire saying..heheh


Nice looking.

 

[Marc M]

uploadfromtaptalk1432217392399.jpg

Out of all the blue light POVs I have seen come through GA I have only ever seen one use one of these.

 

[kitn1mcc]

I have gone across the border with a fully loaded liberty never an issue

 

[jdh]

That is until you come to Florida. I was question about my reds when I had them. 

 

[wmreader]

uploadfromtaptalk1432217392399.jpg

I have a couple of NOS "out of service" vinyl covers available for sale like the ones in the jpg shown above. Not sure if they are for a specific bar, but their adjustable straps appear to be capable of covering many different types. If anyone is interested, feel free to make an offer, thanks.

 

[JPolston]

If you go into Kentucky or Ohio with a visible blue lensed lights, you WILL be hassled. My safety officer went south for a personal trip and got pulled over. Same thing happened to two other guys on my dept. Clear lenses and I don't think anything will be said anywhere. Took a trip to Ohio and had a couple LEOs ask me to light them up when we stopped for dinner then proceeded to ask where I got them, what brand, etc.

 

[JPolston]

Somehow double posted. Wont let me delete.

 

[Station 3]

Do they have border patrol at the state lines? if they do im not allowed to go there then....

 

[tvsjr]

If you go into Kentucky or Ohio with a visible blue lensed lights, you WILL be hassled. My safety officer went south for a personal trip and got pulled over. Same thing happened to two other guys on my dept. Clear lenses and I don't think anything will be said anywhere. Took a trip to Ohio and had a couple LEOs ask me to light them up when we stopped for dinner then proceeded to ask where I got them, what brand, etc.

I've been to Ohio multiple times with obvious red and blue front and rear (500s/600s front, 600s rear) and have never been hassled. Hell, I even used them once (drove up on a wreck on the highway, provided first aid and traffic control until local responders could arrive, left once they arrived and had everything under control).

 

[Storm82]

I have had people tell me I would get hassled and a ticket in Indiana for my red lights, I never have been hassled once.


Granted I haven't had to use my lights while in Indiana, I think that some agencies would be more lenient that what people think, as long as we aren't screwing around with the lights.

 

[J-Rock1944]

I've never been bothered in Ohio, Indiana, or West Virginia. Usually, unmarked out of state CVPIs with lights attract attention. Guess I've been lucky? (Most of my lights are clear-lenses LEDs.)

 

[dmathieu]

In some states the law reads unauthorized use or display(even if not on). I saw an out of state car with a blue bar get stopped in NH. They made him cover the bar with trash bags before leaving the stop.

 

[Bogie]

In my POV when I had colored lenses never a issue, once with my motorcycle in NH i was asked about the blue spot lights and asked to cover them politely. With a marked unit never.

 

[Station 3]

If I were to get pulled over by one of those cops that get botherd butt hurt or upset about my lights in some non Texas weird state and was told to cover them I would probably tell him to Fu$k off..... and end up in Jail for assaulting and handcuffing that non Texas cop.....


It upsets me when cops get upset or technical about little things... when they should be out looking for bigger fish.

 

[kitn1mcc]

If I were to get pulled over by one of those cops that get botherd butt hurt or upset about my lights in some non Texas weird state and was told to cover them I would probably tell him to Fu$k off..... and end up in Jail for assaulting and handcuffing that non Texas cop.....


It upsets me when cops get upset or technical about little things... when they should be out looking for bigger fish.

Thats how most of the small departments here in CT handle policeing