Horns, Sirens And Amplification Devices - Other Equipment - Vehicle - CA

Section § 27000

In California, vehicles must have a working horn audible from at least 200 feet, but it shouldn't be too loud. Emergency vehicles can have different horns. Garbage trucks need a backup alarm or device that stops the truck if it hits something. Trucks bought after 2010 also need a backup camera. Construction vehicles over 14,000 pounds need a backup alarm audible from 200 feet. Specific types of vehicles, like cement mixers and certain cranes, are included in this requirement.

(a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use in conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but rolls backward.

(c) A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements the driver’s view behind the truck for the purpose of safely maneuvering the truck.

(d)

(1) A construction vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 14,000 pounds that operates at, or transports construction or industrial materials to and from, a mine or construction site, or both, shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet.

(2) As used in this subdivision, “construction vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(A) A vehicle designed to transport concrete, cement, clay, limestone, aggregate material as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 23114, or other similar construction or industrial material, including a transfer truck or a tractor trailer combination used exclusively to pull bottom dump, end dump, or side dump trailers.

(B) A vehicle that is a concrete mixer truck, a truck with a concrete placing boom, a water tank truck, a single engine crane with a load rating of 35 tons or more, or a tractor that exclusively pulls a low-boy trailer.

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Section § 27001

This law says that a driver should use their car horn to warn others when needed for safety while driving. However, outside of safety warnings, the horn can only be used as part of a theft alarm system. So, don't use your horn just to honk at people for fun or out of frustration.

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn.

(b) The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system which operates as specified in Article 13 (commencing with Section 28085) of this chapter.

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Section § 27002

This law states that only authorized emergency vehicles can have sirens and must meet specific requirements set by the relevant department. Regular vehicles cannot use sirens.

Additionally, emergency vehicles can have a special sound called a Hi-Lo audible warning for alerting the public to evacuate during emergencies. However, the Hi-Lo sound is not considered a siren and cannot replace a siren when a siren is necessary according to other legal requirements.

(a) No vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren except that an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren meeting requirements established by the department.

(b) An authorized emergency vehicle may also be equipped with a Hi-Lo audible warning sound meeting requirements established by the department.

(c) A Hi-Lo warning sound may only be used to notify the public of an immediate evacuation in case of an emergency and is not a siren. For the purposes of Section 21055, a Hi-Lo shall not be used in lieu of a siren if the sounding of a siren is reasonably necessary pursuant to that section.

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Section § 27003

Armored cars can have a siren, but it should only be used during an armed robbery. At other times, the siren must stay silent. Having a siren does not make an armored car an emergency vehicle, so drivers of armored cars must still follow regular traffic laws like any other vehicle.

An armored car may be equipped with a siren which may be used while resisting armed robbery. At all other times, the siren shall not be sounded. The authority to use a siren granted by this section does not constitute an armored car an authorized emergency vehicle, and all other provisions of this code applicable to drivers of vehicles apply to drivers of armored cars.

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Section § 27007

This law means that drivers can't play music or any loud sound system in their vehicle that can be heard from 50 feet away while driving on a highway, unless it's for getting help or warning about danger. However, emergency vehicles, utility vehicles, and vehicles in parades, ads, or special events are not under this rule. Local authorities can still ban loud sound systems in these special cases.

No driver of a vehicle shall operate, or permit the operation of, any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated upon a highway, unless that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.

This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications, or water utilities. This section does not apply to the sound systems of vehicles used for advertising, or in parades, political or other special events, except that the use of sound systems on those vehicles may be prohibited by a local authority by ordinance or resolution.

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