Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

i have a retired harley road king police motorcycle that i occasionally ride in Holiday parades etc and was wondering if it is legal for me to have a siren and lights on the bike so long as i dont use them in everyday riding and if so, do i need a cut out switch to disable or enable them for said parades? thank you in advance...

In most states just being equipped with them would be illegal.

EDIT: Just realized this is the PA forum so yes it is illegal.

You can probably get away with the lights if you have legally colored lenses on them when on the road. Any blue at all or any red facing front are illegal. Try to come up with a way to easily put on and take off the siren.

ONLY PA designated emergency vehicles can be equipped with red/blue lights and sirens. A retired police motorcycle no longer meets that definition and you would be in violation. Regardless of them being used or even connected to power.

Under the PA Vehicle Code , Section 4571 , the penalty for either having them on your bike or using them is a fine of $500-$1,000.

There is also a prohibition against you simply having yellow lights. PA Vehicle Code 4572. $100-$500.

I was thinking in terms of changing the lenses on the turn signals for the parade to red/blue for the parade. But you better not ride TO the parade staging area or home with them on.

Thank You all for the responses, i guess ill just have to rig up some kind of quik-connect system for the siren parts for parades, i can do without the the red/blue signal covers...

I am in Illinois. The municipality I bought my bike from left everything on it (red and blue strobes in front, back, and sides, and 100 watt siren). I've been told that they are illegal for street use, but I still use them in Masonic parades. I had velcro covers made that stay on securely for street use, and come off easily for parades. That way they don't attract any undo attention.

I can only speak for NY & NJ, but would think you wold also be good to go elsewhere...IF:

Keep the front lens covered while not in a parade or show. They sell covers for PAR36 bulbs at motorcycle shops and some auto supply places.

don't use the siren on public streets. If doing a parade, wouldn't hurt to check in with the locals, to see if a toot now and then down the parade route is ok with them. Having a siren installed amplifier and speaker is not illegal, using them are if you ain't the Police.

I can only speak for NY & NJ, but would think you wold also be good to go elsewhere...IF:

Keep the front lens covered while not in a parade or show. They sell covers for PAR36 bulbs at motorcycle shops and some auto supply places.

don't use the siren on public streets. If doing a parade, wouldn't hurt to check in with the locals, to see if a toot now and then down the parade route is ok with them. Having a siren installed amplifier and speaker is not illegal, using them are if you ain't the Police.

Not here. According to PA vehicle code 4571:


(d) Vehicles prohibited from using signals.--Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section, no vehicle other than an emergency vehicle may be equipped with revolving or flashing lights or audible warning systems identical or similar to those specified in subsections (a) and (b). A person who equips or uses a vehicle with visual or audible warning systems in violation of this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.

PA takes a dim view of anyone even HAVING a siren / PA or red - blue lights unless you are specifically authorized to have them. Quick disconnect systems don't cut it.

We stopped a guy who had wig-wags and had the car towed in, had a mechanic remove the switches etc at the drivers expense. PLUS the big fine.

The choice is yours.