Nevada § 484A.480 - Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices
Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 484A.480 — Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 484A.480. Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484A.490 , authorized emergency vehicles are vehicles publicly owned and operated in the performance
of the duty of: (a) A police or fire department. (b) A sheriff's office. (c) The Department of Public Safety, for vehicles that are: (1) Operated in the performance of the duty of the Capitol Police Division, the Investigation
Division, the Nevada Highway Patrol Division, the State Fire Marshal Division, the
Training Division and the Office of the Director of the Department of Public Safety;
or (2) Designated an authorized emergency vehicle by the Director of the Department of
Public Safety. (d) The Office of the Attorney General. (e) The Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
in responding to a fire. (f) The Section for the Control of Emissions From Vehicles and the Enforcement of
Matters Related to the Use of Special Fuel in the Department of Motor Vehicles. (g) A public ambulance agency. (h) A public lifeguard or lifesaving agency. (i) The office of a coroner or medical examiner. 2. A vehicle publicly maintained in whole or in part by the State, or by a city or
county, and privately owned and operated by a regularly salaried member of a police
department, sheriff's office or traffic law enforcement department, is an authorized
emergency vehicle if: (a) The vehicle has a permit, pursuant to NRS 484A.490 , from the Department of Public Safety; (b) The person operates the vehicle in responding to emergency calls or fire alarms,
or at the request of the Nevada Highway Patrol or in the pursuit of actual or suspected
violators of the law; and (c) The State, county or city does not furnish a publicly owned vehicle for the purposes
stated in paragraph (b). 3. Every authorized emergency vehicle must be equipped with at least one flashing
red warning lamp visible from the front and a siren for use as provided in chapters
484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, which lamp and siren must be in compliance with standards
approved by the Department of Public Safety. In addition, an authorized emergency vehicle may display revolving, flashing or
steady red or blue warning lights to the front, sides or rear of the vehicle. 4. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a system or device that causes
the upper-beam headlamps of the vehicle to continue to flash alternately while the
system or device is activated. The driver of a vehicle that is so equipped may use the system or device when responding
to an emergency call or fire alarm, while escorting a funeral procession, or when
in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. As used in this subsection, “ upper-beam headlamp ” means a headlamp or that part of a headlamp which projects a distribution of light
or composite beam meeting the requirements of subsection 1 of NRS 484D.210 . 5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a person shall not operate a motor
vehicle with any system or device that causes the headlamps of the vehicle to continue
to flash alternately or simultaneously while the system or device is activated. This subsection does not prohibit the operation of a motorcycle equipped with any
system or device that modulates the intensity of light produced by the headlamp of
the motorcycle, if the system or device is used only during daylight hours and conforms
to the requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 571.108 . 6. A person shall not operate a vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light
visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle except an authorized emergency
vehicle, a school bus, an official vehicle of a regulatory agency or a vehicle operated
pursuant to NRS 408.437 . 7. A person shall not operate a vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a blue
light, except a motorcycle pursuant to NRS 486.261 , an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle operated pursuant to NRS 408.437 .
Source: official Nevada text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 484A.480
What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 484A.480 cover?
Section 484A.480 ("Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Nevada § 484A.480?
A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 484A.480" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Nevada law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.
How does Nevada § 484A.480 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.