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Warning lights, signs and flags

Required warning equipment and load markings, including applicability thresholds, placement, technical standards, exemptions, and removal rules.

48 facts from 3 places, each quoted from the agency that sets it.

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Open a question to read the facts on file that bear on it.

Facts

15 topics

Warning light required (Yes or no)

Whether the vehicle or combination must be equipped with a yellow warning light meeting the prescribed visibility, flash frequency and lens dimensions.

  • New York

    Yes

    For Type 8 – Oversize Snow Plow Equipment for Private Contractors.

  • Ontario

    Yes

    1 more case.

  • Quebec

    Yes

Flag required (Yes or no)

Whether the vehicle or combination must display warning flags meeting the prescribed dimensions and placement when its dimensions exceed the specified thresholds, or when required by a permit condition.

  • New York

    Yes

    For Vehicles over 8'6" in width.

  • Ontario

    Yes

    1 more case.

  • Quebec

    Yes

    For load exceeding the side of the vehicle by more than 30 cm.

Flag minimum dimension (Measures)

Minimum required side length of each warning flag displayed on the vehicle or load, in metres.

  • New York
    0.46 m (1′ 6″)

    General rule 0.46 m (1′ 6″), with 1 other case.

  • Ontario
    0.4 m (1′ 3.5″)
  • Quebec
    0.4 m (1′ 3.5″)

    General rule 0.4 m (1′ 3.5″), with 1 other case.

Flag placement (Choices)

Position on the vehicle or load where warning flags must be displayed, as specified by the applicable permit condition.

  • New York
    • Front and rear left
  • Ontario
    • Extreme ends
  • Quebec
    • Front and rear left
    • Extreme ends

    For load exceeding the side of the vehicle by more than 30 cm; poles extending more than 4 m beyond the rear of the loading platform.

Warning sign required (Yes or no)

Whether the vehicle or combination must display warning signs or rigid surfaces meeting the prescribed standards when its dimensions exceed the specified thresholds, or when required by a permit condition.

  • Ontario

    Yes

    1 more case.

  • Quebec

    Yes

    For width > 3.04 m, length > 25 m or height > 4.30 m; vehicle assigned to snow removal: width > 3.75 m or equipment exceeding the left side by more than 60 cm or the right side by more than 130 cm.

Not stated in New York.

Flag width threshold (Measures)

Overall width of the vehicle or combination, including load and equipment, above which warning flags must be displayed.

  • New York
    2.59 m (8′ 6″)
  • Quebec
    0.3 m (1′)

    For load exceeding the side of the vehicle by more than 30 cm.

Not stated in Ontario.

Warning sign removal required (Yes or no)

Whether warning signs must be removed or covered when the vehicle or combination is not being operated under the permit or when the signs are not required.

Not stated in New York.

Warning light position (Choices)

Position on the vehicle or load where a yellow warning light must be installed, under the applicable permit condition.

  • Quebec
    • Front overhang

    For condition 14. 2 more cases.

Not stated in Ontario and New York.

Where the comparisons come from