North Dakota § 39-21-18 - Audible and visual signals on vehicle
Full text of North Dakota North Dakota Century Code § 39-21-18 — Audible and visual signals on vehicle, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 39-21-18. Audible and visual signals on vehicle
1. Every authorized emergency vehicle must, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this chapter, be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell capable of causing a minimum sound intensity level of eighty-five decibels. The siren or signal must be mounted outside of the vehicle or in front of the radiator. 2. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with safety strobe lights. 3. A police vehicle when used as an authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing red lights specified herein and a vehicle designated for the use of the adjutant general or the assistant adjutant general may be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell specified herein. 4. Every schoolbus, except vehicles with a seating capacity of less than sixteen students, must be equipped with: a. Signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which must be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level, and these lights must have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet [152.4 meters] in normal sunlight; b. A stop sign on a control arm that can be activated by the bus driver. The stop sign on the control arm must be located on the left side of the bus, be equipped with a flashing red light, and when activated, extend out from the bus at approximately a ninety-degree angle; and c. Safety strobe lights if the schoolbus was manufactured after July 31, 1998. Older schoolbuses may have safety strobe lights installed.
Source: official North Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota § 39-21-18
What does North Dakota Century Code § 39-21-18 cover?
Section 39-21-18 ("Audible and visual signals on vehicle") is part of the North Dakota Century Code, the codified statutory law of North Dakota. 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 North Dakota § 39-21-18?
A common citation format is "North Dakota Century Code § 39-21-18" (North Dakota). 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 North Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Dakota attorney.
How does North Dakota § 39-21-18 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Dakota 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 North Dakota.