California Title 13 (CCR Title 13) is the state’s regulatory standard for emergency and special hazard vehicle lighting — and it sets stricter requirements than the SAE standards used by most other states. If your vehicles operate in California, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant.
- California Title 13 sets stricter color and intensity standards than SAE — and not all LED products on the market actually meet it.
- Federal Signal tests every Title 13-approved product in an AMECA-accredited lab, so departments can specify with confidence.
- When comparing lighting products, ‘compliant’ means nothing without a specific SAE number, class, or Title 13 table — always ask for the full certification reference.
What Are SAE Standards — and Why Does California Use Something Different?
In most states, emergency and special hazard vehicles follow standards developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). SAE regulations set minimum requirements for brightness, color, flash patterns, and testing procedures. While not laws in most states, they are the industry baseline for emergency lighting specification.
| Important note: SAE publishes thousands of standards, each one numbered and typically broken out into “classes” with performance specs. Cal Title 13 uses the term “table” instead of “class.” In comparing lighting products, the term “compliant” should specify the SAE number and class or Title 13 table. Without these specifics, the term “compliant” can be misleading. |
How California Title 13 differs from SAE Standards
California Title 13 standards are similar to SAE standards but differ in some important ways. Federal Signal (FedSig) provides the following comparison of SAE standards and California Title 13 regulations.
Minimum Standards for Emergency Warning Lights
SAE J845 is the set of standards that governs colors and light intensity levels for omnidirectional (360-degree) lighting. SAE J595 is its companion set of standards for directional flashing lights. Both include specs on flash patterns and frequencies, materials and product markings, and testing procedures. In comparing SAE standards and Cal Title 13, the important differences are in color and light intensity standards.
Color Requirements
SAE J845 allows four colors for omnidirectional lighting: red, blue, yellow and white. The industry regulations also specify acceptable shades of these colors
- Cal Title 13 restricts colors to specific ranges of red, blue, and amber
- For example, FedSig’s yellow is a rich amber lens, while other manufacturers may have a lighter yellow. Likewise, FedSig’s blue LED light meets Cal Title 13 intensity standards, while few other blue lights on the market can meet that technical standard.
Light Intensity Requirements
Under SAE J845, light intensity is grouped into three classes:
- Class 1, brightest (18,000 cd-s/m) – the primary optical warning for emergency vehicles to alert area motorists and pedestrians to a hazardous condition
- Class 2, less bright (4,500 cd-s/m) – the primary optical warning for service and maintenance vehicles alerting the public to a traffic hazard
- Class 3, least bright (1,800 cd-s/m) – a lower-intensity light that authorized vehicles use for identification purposes
Cal Title 13 has higher technical specifications for light intensity than SAE J845:
- Cal Title 13 Table 1 (brightest) — set above SAE Class 1, this standard is calibrated to the perceived brightness of halogen lights. Because the industry has largely shifted to LED, some LED products that meet SAE Class 1 still fail to meet Table 1 requirements — and are therefore not permitted for use on California emergency vehicles.
- Cal Title 13 Table 2, second brightest (12,500 cd-s/m) – the appropriate brightness for emergency vehicle omnidirectional lighting
- Table 4, least bright (125 cd-s/m) – for gas discharge lights.
Why California Adopted Stricter Safety Standards
Title 13 addresses multiple issues relevant to the health and safety of California residents. Title 13 within the California Code of Regulations is designed to deal with the state’s air quality challenges, public health and welfare, as well as emergency vehicle visibility and safety. These government regulations regarding color and light intensity are important in emergency situations to ensure public safety.
To that end, specific light colors are recognizable and universally associated with certain vehicle types. For example, red and blue are generally law enforcement and emergency vehicles, whereas amber is typically recognized for use on utility, maintenance, or hazard vehicles.
Just as light color is regulated, so too is light intensity level compliance standards. Emergency vehicle lighting must be bright enough to be distinctive in all conditions, including darkness, fog, rain, and sunlight. While light intensity must be attention-grabbing, it cannot be blinding so as to disorient or confuse drivers.
Vehicles required to comply with Title 13 state regulations include:
- Police cars
- Fire and rescue vehicles
- Utility and public works vehicles
- School buses
- Hazard response teams
Examples of Noncompliance with Title 13
As critical as it is to do what it takes to maintain compliance with Title 13 California Code of Regulations, it’s also important to know what not to do. In other words, what are some examples of being out of compliance with Title 13 as it relates to emergency and warning lights on vehicles?
- Incorrect light colors. This would include using a yellow lens that doesn’t meet the defined “amber” color range. Additionally, the installation of green or purple lights is not allowed for warning purposes under Title 13 compliance standards.
- Inadequate light intensity. Using LED lights that are not Table 1 or Table 2 brightness required of emergency vehicles. Lights that have faded or dimmed over time and need to be changed can result in noncompliance.
- Improper flash patterns. Title 13 flash frequency specs are very specific with regard to flash sequences and dwell times and must be adhered to. Using patterns that distract or confuse drivers would also be a violation.
- Unlabeled or improperly labeled equipment. Warning lights must display proper markings or test certifications from AMECA-approved labs. Missing or improperly marked labels are not in compliance with Title 13 compliance standards.
- Unauthorized vehicle modifications. Red or blue emergency lights mounted on private security or construction vehicles are prohibited. These are restricted to use by public safety vehicles only.
- Use of halogen-based equipment without proper output. Older halogen lights that don’t meet the new perceived brightness criteria for LED-standard Table1 requirements are noncompliant.
The Consequences of Noncompliance with Title 13
There are multiple risks, both financial and legal, for noncompliance with Title 13. These can vary depending upon the specific violation, the severity of the violation, and whether it’s a first-time or repeat offense. Potential consequences include:
- Penalties and fines. These can range from small amounts for minor infractions to significant amounts per violation per day.
- Legal ramifications. These run the gamut from time-consuming hearings to legal proceedings that result in fines, to requiring corrective actions such as recalling vehicles, to criminal penalties that can lead to imprisonment in severe cases.
- Suspension or loss of license. Suspension or revocation of occupational licenses that disrupt operations and bring about dire financial consequences.
- Business disruptions. Noncompliance can lead to disrupted business processes, lost productivity, lost revenue, and even termination of operations in serious cases.
Federal Signal and California Title 13
FedSig is The Driving Force™ for reliable emergency warning for first responders and work zone safety. We support any industry regulations and specifications that improve civilian, property and work zone safety, and protect your organization from non-adherence fines.
- All FedSig products meet SAE standards and most meet Cal Title 13 specs. The exceptions are products that offer colors, flash patterns and speed/dwell time specs that are suitable for SAE-conforming state regulations but do not conform to CA Title 13
- FedSig products offer technology that goes beyond SAE and Cal Title 13 specs. For example, FedSig’s patented lighting technology reflects the primary light source at a precise angle to not only meet state regulations, but also to optimize brightness and intensity
- FedSig technology supports lower costs for replacement parts and retrofits. For example, our FS Convergence Network with plug-and-play amplifiers and controllers and our Reliable Onboard Circuitry (ROC) with printed circuit board parts (PCBs) instead of wires and connectors reduces maintenance time and replacement costs
- Most FedSig LED products carry a 5-year warranty.
All Federal Signal’s California Title 13 products are tested in an Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) accredited laboratory. In addition, FedSig uses third-party independent labs to ensure all testing is unbiased and accurate. A test report summary appears on each product’s Federal Signal website page.
California TITLE 13 Approved LED Products Brochure
CA Title 13 Approved Light Bars
Police & Fire/EMS |
Work Truck |
| Reliant™ S2 Light Bar |
CA Title 13 Approved Mini-Light Bars
Police & Fire/EMS |
Work Truck |
| Highlighter® Elite | Highlighter® Elite |
CA Title 13 Approved Beacons
Police & Fire/EMS |
Work Truck |
| Pro LED Beacon | Pro LED Beacon |
CA Title 13 Approved SignalMaster Directional Warning
Police & Fire/EMS |
Work Truck |
| Latitude™ SignalMaster™ |
CA Title 13 Approved Perimeter Lights
Police & Fire/EMS |
Work Truck |
| MicroPulse® Ultra | MicroPulse® Ultra |
Not sure which products are right for your California fleet?Contact a Federal Signal regional sales representative. |
Contact Us today |
Frequently Asked California Title 13 Questions
Q: What is California Title 13?
A: California Title 13 (CCR Title 13) is California’s vehicle code for emergency and special hazard vehicle lighting. It sets stricter color range and light intensity standards than the SAE standards used by most other states. All emergency vehicles operating in California must use Title 13-compliant lighting.
Q: How does California Title 13 differ from SAE J845?
A: SAE J845 allows four colors and groups intensity into three classes. California Title 13 restricts colors to specific red, blue, and amber ranges and requires higher intensity than SAE Class 1 — a standard calibrated to halogen output that many LED products fail to meet.
Q: Which Federal Signal products are California Title 13 approved?
A: Federal Signal offers a full range of Title 13-approved light bars, mini-light bars, beacons, SignalMaster systems, and perimeter lights — all tested in an AMECA-accredited laboratory.