Amber vs Green Lights on Tow Trucks in Quebec (Explained Simply)
If you’ve ever driven through Quebec and noticed tow trucks running both amber and green lights, you’re not imagining it. Quebec treats tow truck lighting a little differently than many other provinces.
This guide explains, in plain language, how amber and green are used on tow trucks in Quebec and how that differs from other provinces.
Note: This article is for general information only. Always consult the Highway Safety Code, SAAQ regulations, and your own legal or safety advisors before making compliance decisions.
Why Quebec Tow Trucks Use Amber and Green
Under Quebec’s Highway Safety Code and its related regulations, tow trucks that are required by an emergency service can be authorized to use flashing green lights in addition to amber while travelling to the scene of an incident.
Key points from SAAQ guidance:
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The truck must still remain predominantly amber.
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The luminous area of the amber lighting must be greater than that of the green lighting.
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The green lights are used alongside rotating or flashing amber lights, not instead of them.
In short: green is an additional identification and visibility tool for authorized tow trucks, not a replacement for amber.
How This Differs from Ontario and Other Provinces
In Ontario, flashing green lights are tied primarily to volunteer firefighter response in personally owned vehicles and certain volunteer medical responders, not tow trucks.
Other provinces also restrict green to specific uses, commonly:
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Volunteer firefighters’ personal vehicles
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Certain emergency command or support vehicles
In most provinces outside Quebec:
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Tow trucks rely on amber as their primary warning colour.
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Some use amber/white or amber-only packages, with no green component.
Amber Still Does the Heavy Lifting
Even in Quebec, where green is authorized for certain tow operations, amber remains the main workhorse:
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Amber is recognized across Canada as the standard colour for non-emergency work vehicles.
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Drivers are conditioned to see amber as “caution – workers ahead / vehicle performing work.”
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By keeping the truck predominantly amber, Quebec’s rules reduce confusion with volunteer firefighters and other special uses of green.
If you operate a tow fleet that crosses provincial borders, a strong amber foundation makes it much easier to stay consistent with expectations in all regions.
Practical Considerations for Quebec Tow Fleets
If you’re spec’ing or upgrading a Quebec tow fleet:
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Confirm whether your operations qualify for green authorization under SAAQ rules.
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Design light packages so that:
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Amber modules and beacons clearly dominate.
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Green modules are positioned in a way that improves visibility without overpowering amber.
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Consider how your trucks will appear in photos, video and social media – clear, professional, compliant lighting builds trust with the public and with partners.
How Strobe My Ride Can Help
While Strobe My Ride is based in Ontario, we work with fleets across Canada and understand the practical differences between provinces. We can:
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Help you design amber-dominant packages suitable for Quebec’s rules.
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Recommend product combinations that keep you visible during roadside recoveries in snow, rain and darkness.
Be Seen. Be Safe.
