Blue Light (Tow Truck) Alberta Permit Information

HEAR YE HEAR YE! – Blue Lights Start Tonight! (Permit Information Below)

Blue Lights on Tow Trucks

Since June 2022, Alberta tow trucks have been permitted to use blue lights alongside amber lights under a Registrar’s Exemption from the Government of Alberta. After a successful one-year pilot, the program was extended for five more years in February 2023, running through February 29, 2028.

This gives tow truck operators like us ongoing certainty to invest in blue lighting equipment, while helping keep roadside workers and the motoring public safer. Below is what both the public and towing industry need to know about how the exemption works.

What you need to know as a member of the public.

Tow Trucks will be running Amber OR Amber/Blue lights on roadways in Alberta for the next year.  You are required to slow to 60 km/h when passing them on a roadway.  We would ask you pass us as if we are a family member, the slower the speed the better. “Slow Down Move Over”

As a ‘Tower’:

There are rules from the Government of Alberta we must follow.

These rules let us operate under the “exemption” for the blue light pilot in Alberta.  Those requirements/conditions are:

  1. They can only be used by a tow truck or support vehicle. The vehicle must be stopped on the highway. They must be used to help a person repair, start, or move their vehicle.
  2. You must have Amber AND Blue lights working in Tandem.
  3. Blue lights cannot be used alone
  4. Lights must be compliant with SAE Standards
  5. Lights must be mounted on the roof and controlled from inside the cab
  6. You must have an indicator showing the lights are on when activated in the cab

It’s pretty clear and straight forward.  We commend the Alberta Government for making this clear for everyone involved and addressing earlier concerns.

Tow Truck AMA Blue Lights

Where do I get my Permit?

You do not need to spend any money.  You are effectively covered by the exemption as long as you meet the conditions listed on the Exemption.  However, we recommend printing and keeping a copy of the exemption in each vehicle.
This applies to vehicles operating with blue lights.  It is a good practice to keep a copy of the exemption ready, in case you need to reference it.

You can find the ‘Permit’ on the Alberta Government Website or for ease of use, here is a direct link.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGISTRAR’S EXEMPTION – Blue Lights Tow Truck

If you are interested, a copy of the bulletins sent out to the various police agencies can be found HERE as well.

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. John June 30, 2022

    This is clearly an important step in the safety of people within the industry and a boost for public safety at recovery/tow scenes. This pilot project is hopefully a step toward legislation protecting Driver/Operators and the general public, placing emphasis on the personnel who carry out these often dangerous tasks as what is effectively support to the emergency services. Very pleased this has happened.

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