Vehicle accessories and fittings

Amber/yellow flashing warning lights, hazard warning

Amber/yellow flashing warning lights alert road users of a hazard on a gazetted/public road and/or an obstruction to the flow of traffic.

The following vehicles are permitted to fit and display amber/yellow flashing lights, an application is not required.

• A bus fitted, before July 1999, with a sign telling roads users that the bus carries children.
• A bus, equipped to carry more than eight adults, used for the carriage of children to and from school when in the process of picking up or setting down school children.
• A special purpose vehicle occupying a hazardous position on the road, while stationary or travelling at a speed not exceeding 20km/h. This includes a public utility service truck, tow truck, motor break-down service vehicle or State or local government vehicle engaged in road work or speed zoning functions.
• Agricultural machines, towed agricultural implements and vehicles towing agricultural implements, when required to be fitted with an amber flashing light in accordance with the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.
• Local government vehicles that are driven by rangers and have the word 'ranger' clearly set out on both sides of the vehicle. Where the vehicle is a station wagon or van, the word 'ranger' must also be clearly set out on the back of the vehicle.
• Oversize and over mass vehicles being driven in accordance with an order or permit issued by Main Roads WA or the Department of Transport.
• Pilot and escort vehicles travelling in front of or behind an agricultural machine, agricultural implement, or agricultural vehicle as described above.
• Pilot and escort vehicles travelling in front of or behind an oversize or over mass vehicle as described above.
• Transport enforcement vehicles.
• Vehicles owned or operated by a mining company and used primarily at a mine (the amber flashing lights are not authorised for use on public roads).
• Vehicles spraying pesticides under the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011.

If your vehicle is not included in the above list, you may make an application to the Department of Transport (DoT) for consideration to fit and display yellow/amber flashing warning lights.

How to make an application to fit and display yellow/amber flashing warning lights?

Application for vehicles being used as part of an event on a gazetted/public road.

1. Complete an 'Application to Fit and/or Display Amber/Yellow Flashing Warning Lights (Form E178C)'.
2. Attach supporting information:
   • Name of event.
   • Date of event.
   • Overview of event.
   • The route of the event, including site, town(s), gazetted roads.
   • Details of any previous flashing warning light authorisation.
   • Vehicle details.
   • Traffic Management Plan (if applicable).
3. Submit completed form and supporting documentation to the email address below.

Application for the fitment and display of amber/yellow flashing warning lights on a vehicle not being used for an event on a gazetted road.

1. Complete an 'Application to Fit and/or Display Amber/Yellow Flashing Warning Lights(Form E178C)'.
2. Attach supporting information on company letterhead:
   • Overview of organisation.
   • Details of the hazardous duties that require the use of amber/yellow flashing warning lights.
   • Vehicle details.
3. Submit completed form and supporting documentation to the email address below.

DoT will notify you of the outcome of your application within three weeks. If approved, conditions of use for the flashing yellow/amber warning lights will be outlined in the letter of authorisation.

Magenta/crimson flashing warning lights, Government enforcement

Magenta/crimson flashing warning lights alert road users of the presence of a vehicle carrying out road transport enforcement activities relating to the safety and standards of vehicles associated with the carriage of goods and/or passengers for business purposes.

To make an application to DoT for authorisation to fit and display magenta/crimson flashing warning lights, please follow the application process below. Only government agencies with a statute enforcement role will be considered.

Application for the fitment and display of magenta/crimson flashing lights on a vehicle:

1. Complete an 'Application for Emergency Vehicle Status or Authorisation to Fit and/or Display Flashing Warning Lights (Form E178A)'.
2. Attach supporting information on company letterhead:
   • Overview of agency.
   • The transport enforcement duties required to be undertaken.
   • The details of all applicable vehicles.
3. Submit completed form and supporting documentation to the email address below.

DoT will notify you of the outcome of your application within three weeks.

If approved, conditions of use of the magenta/crimson flashing warning lights will be outlined in the letter of authorisation.

Blue, red and white flashing warning lights and Emergency Vehicle Status

Emergency vehicles are used to respond to an urgent situation where human life may be in danger and/or there is a high personal or property threat. Emergency vehicles may be fitted with red flashing lights and/or can be fitted with blue, red and/or white flashing warning lights.

Red flashing warning lights alert roads of an emergency vehicle responding to a situation where there is a high personal or property threat. The combination of blue, red and/or white flashing warning lights alert other road users of an emergency vehicle responding to a situation where life is at significant or imminent risk

If a vehicle is approved as an emergency vehicle the driver is exempt from certain road laws when responding to an emergency. The driver must ensure they are taking reasonable care when responding to ensure the safety of other road users and occupants of the vehicle. In these circumstances, other road users are required to give way to, and make every reasonable effort to give a clear and uninterrupted passage to emergency vehicles.

The following vehicles have emergency vehicle status and are approved to have blue, red and white (or a combination thereof) flashing lights fitted, an application is not required:

Vehicles operated by:

• A bush fire brigade (under the Bush Fires Act 1954).
• A fire brigade (under the Fire Brigades Act 1942).
• St John Ambulance.
• State Emergency Service.
• The Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
• Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service.
• Western Australia Police.

If your vehicle is not included in the above list, you may make an application to DoT for Emergency Vehicle Status (EVS) and authorisation to fit and display blue, red and/or white flashing warning lights.

Only vehicles operated by genuine emergency services operating as part of the State emergency network, or in an area so remote that existing emergency services are inaccessible, will be considered.

Organisations that do not meet one or both of these criteria may still be considered for fitment and display of red flashing warning lights in certain circumstances, but will not receive EVS.

How to make application for EVS and blue, red and/or white flashing warning lights?

1. Complete application form 'Application for Emergency Vehicle Status or Authorisation to Fit and/or Display Flashing Warning Lights (Form E178A)'.
2. Attach documentary evidence of:
   • The organisation operating under contract, mutual aid agreement, or
   • Memorandum of Understanding with an emergency service agency as part of the State emergency response network, or
   • The organisation operating in an area so remote that existing emergency services are inaccessible.
3. Attach supporting information on company letterhead detailing:
   • Duties undertaken by the organisation.
   • Organisation's role in emergency response.
   • Why this role cannot be fulfilled by existing emergency services.
   • Decision making process and chain of command when despatching the vehicle.
   • Recordkeeping system to be used to enable internal and external audit of operations to be carried out.
   • Approximate frequency of occasions where emergency response may be considered necessary.
   • Any previous emergency vehicle status or flashing warning light approval.
   • Evidence of driver competency standard certifications, at a minimum PUAVEH001B - Drive vehicles under operational conditions.
4. Submit completed form and supporting documentation to the email address below.

As part of the assessment of your application, the Department of Transport may request advice and recommendations from the Emergency Vehicle Committee which consists of representatives from Western Australia Police, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Department of Health and St John Ambulance.

DoT will notify you of the outcome of your application within six weeks.