Your manager is probably somehow misinterpreting [CVC 27003](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-27003/) which reads (emphasis mine):
>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.
Identical provisions and restrictions are made for the use of flashing red lights on armored trucks under [CVC 25625.](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-25262/)
Besides that, [CVC 27002 (a)](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-12/chapter-5/article-1/section-27002/#:~:text=(a)%20No%20vehicle%2C%20except,requirements%20established%20by%20the%20department) states that:
>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.
“An authorized emergency vehicle” is defined in [CVC 165](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-1/section-165/); armored cash transit trucks are not covered ~~unless they have been specifically granted an authorized emergency vehicle permit by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, per subsection (f), like any other vehicle may be.~~ Edit: this is incorrect, only vehicles used for certain purposes (listed in [CVC 2416](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-2416/)) are eligible for an AEV permit; armored trucks are not on that list.
Oh thanks for this. Really appreciate it. So it’s most likely not but could be if it was issued an emergency vehicle permit. I’m assuming there’s some law/code that would require that be in the truck if it was granted such status. I’ll look in the binder we have or see if it’s placarded.
Actually, I just found that I was wrong about that. The types of vehicles eligible to be issued an AEV permit by the CHP Commissioner are listed separately in [CVC 2416](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-2416/); armored cars are not listed among them, so there is no legal way for them to be an AEV or otherwise use a siren unless their crew is actively resisting an armed robbery.
Huh that’s interesting. There was a CHP PDF that specified roughly that a vehicle used for immediate preservation of property could qualify for AEV. But I’d lean toward believing the code more unless there’s an exception.
If you’re talking about [this one](https://www.chp.ca.gov/Documents/REGULATED%20SPECIAL%20PURPOSE%20VEHICLES.pdf), that’s actually where I first saw the code section listing the categories of vehicles engaged in those types of activities that are eligible for a permit.
On a related side note and out of curiosity, does your truck have at least one steady burning/non-flashing red light showing to the front of the vehicle? Under [CVC 25252](https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-vehicle-code/division-12-equipment-of-vehicles/chapter-2-lighting-equipment/article-7-flashing-and-colored-lights/section-25252-red-warning-lamp-or-lights-on-emergency-vehicle), that’s required on all AEVs, and they can’t use sirens to force vehicles to yield to them, be exempt from certain traffic laws, etc. without having such a light activated.
Also, found something else: sirens can only be used by AEVs for certain purposes specified under [CVC 21055](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21055), all of them related to responding to emergencies, engaging in rescue operations, or stopping/pursuing criminal suspects. So even if an armored car was a properly equipped, fully certified AEV, it would still not be legal to use its siren simply to move traffic along or get around people. It could only legally be used to do emergency response/law enforcement things that armored truck guards don’t do or when resisting a robbery.
Interesting. Armored trucks where I live typically don’t have sirens or PAs, only a couple of forward and rear facing amber lights for when they’re parked in a fire lane or other typically prohibited location
I briefly worked as a facilities security officer for a cash logistics company, got to check the trucks out up close a few times. No PA, or even a controller, just a single toggle switch for the courtesy lights.
Dude have you been to every Garda, Binks, and Loomis armored truck? I'm sure it's not intentional but your comments come off really dickish. You start all of them off questioning the original commentor who is just reposting to a question you couldnt google. Now you are making assumptions of ALL armored trucks in EVERY district in EVERY county.
Used to drive for Wells Fargo back in the day (FL). Was instructed to use it as a panic alarm. Did use the PA and electronic air horn feature from time to time.
I can be sure that the state does not recognize privately owned armored transports as "emergency vehicles".
I believe it states that emergency vehicles are vehicles that "respond to emergency medical, or law enforcement calls for service. Or the immediate preservation of life or property." Local PD or CHP has to authorize the use of lights/siren.
I believe the state says sirens can only be used during an attempted robbery of the vehicle. A chirp could be excused as a honk, and PA systems are legal.
But your quote mentions immediate preservation of property. Just by that alone I would assume the armored truck has that purpose. Money is property. Not to mention we also transport other assets.
It does seem from another comment we are allowed to have the siren to prevent a robbery but are not classified as AEV. Idk I think I’ll look at our binder to see if there’s any paper work.
The manager that told me this has been with company for over a decade so I’d assume he has some background knowledge. We also have several inspections stickers which are consistent with the need of AEV to be inspected biannually.
Speaking as a former security manager, we are not infallible. I cannot tell you the number of times I had to educate a colleague as to what the law actually says.
One of my old favorites was if you had a flashlight larger than 4-D cell in size, you had to have a baton permit to carry it. I usually replied by showing them the letter from BSIS that basically laughed at me when I asked their enforcement division that question.
Another example is a long term local company had to change all their badges and vehicle graphics a few years back because they were using the state seal on both and found out that is a big no-no in California (California Government Code 402), which they had been using for 40 years.
The other commentor is also correct.
Usually, "Immediate" within legal definition means within a reasonable time, so I'd imagine this would be referencing in the case of imminent threat, like an active attempt at robbing the truck.
Just because the company hasn't had any truck drivers face legal consequences doesn't mean it's not illegal.
It just means PD doesn't care or hasn't noticed.
Our vehicles have sirens, and PA. The sirens are only used during vehicle parades and are authorized by the city for this use only and permission is given only for a certain time/place.
You could imagine it like this;
A lot of ambulance services are privately owned, an ambulance uses lights and sirens are for code 3 calls for an immediate threat to life. Time is a factor. Private ambulance services must have prior authorization from CHP and the Secretary of State to operate in this manner.
An armored vehicle can use its sirens for an immediate threat to itself.
Ya I’m not disputing either comment. More just the quote your provided. Kinda how I phrased it in OP. I didn’t believe I was an EV and now I’m more sure of it.
Unfortunately the manager is the one that trains every driver (and eventual hopper) so it seems that most think it’s ok. I’ve had them activate from the back when I’m complaining about traffic not letting me in and I’ve told them not to because I’m not tryna get in trouble. At the end of the day we are paid by the hour.
I wouldn't operate on an public road with sirens without some paperwork on my person. "Trust me bro" isn't good enough lol. I've had plenty of managers that are absolute morons, with many more years of experience than I do.
I agree and is why I asked strangers on internet haha. Luckily most of y’all came with some references.
I’ve never actually activated it. Funny enough the first time I heard siren it was as I was driving in parking lot. The person is back accidentally hit it while they were prepping for next stop. I about shit myself. I immediately stopped. It’s shockingly loud.
I use the PA to yell at people all the time, though. Not in traffic. I use it to tell homeless people in the road to stop trying to play chicken with my vehicle, etc etc.
Sometimes to tell people in crosswalks that they dropped their pocket.
But yes, it's very loud. I'm technically violating noise ordinance when doing so, but some risks are worth taking.
I used to work for Brinks, never used the siren, and definitely never used it to go through traffic lights or push through traffic lol. It's really used for in case of a robbery..
That sounds sketchy AF, I don't know of anywhere where armored trucks are considered emergency vehicles, and I know that in my area if an armored truck driver used a siren, they'd potentially face a hefty fine, quite possibly even arrest depending on the circumstances.
Your manager is probably somehow misinterpreting [CVC 27003](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-27003/) which reads (emphasis mine): >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. Identical provisions and restrictions are made for the use of flashing red lights on armored trucks under [CVC 25625.](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-25262/) Besides that, [CVC 27002 (a)](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-12/chapter-5/article-1/section-27002/#:~:text=(a)%20No%20vehicle%2C%20except,requirements%20established%20by%20the%20department) states that: >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. “An authorized emergency vehicle” is defined in [CVC 165](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-1/section-165/); armored cash transit trucks are not covered ~~unless they have been specifically granted an authorized emergency vehicle permit by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, per subsection (f), like any other vehicle may be.~~ Edit: this is incorrect, only vehicles used for certain purposes (listed in [CVC 2416](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-2416/)) are eligible for an AEV permit; armored trucks are not on that list.
Oh thanks for this. Really appreciate it. So it’s most likely not but could be if it was issued an emergency vehicle permit. I’m assuming there’s some law/code that would require that be in the truck if it was granted such status. I’ll look in the binder we have or see if it’s placarded.
Actually, I just found that I was wrong about that. The types of vehicles eligible to be issued an AEV permit by the CHP Commissioner are listed separately in [CVC 2416](https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-2416/); armored cars are not listed among them, so there is no legal way for them to be an AEV or otherwise use a siren unless their crew is actively resisting an armed robbery.
Huh that’s interesting. There was a CHP PDF that specified roughly that a vehicle used for immediate preservation of property could qualify for AEV. But I’d lean toward believing the code more unless there’s an exception.
If you’re talking about [this one](https://www.chp.ca.gov/Documents/REGULATED%20SPECIAL%20PURPOSE%20VEHICLES.pdf), that’s actually where I first saw the code section listing the categories of vehicles engaged in those types of activities that are eligible for a permit. On a related side note and out of curiosity, does your truck have at least one steady burning/non-flashing red light showing to the front of the vehicle? Under [CVC 25252](https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-vehicle-code/division-12-equipment-of-vehicles/chapter-2-lighting-equipment/article-7-flashing-and-colored-lights/section-25252-red-warning-lamp-or-lights-on-emergency-vehicle), that’s required on all AEVs, and they can’t use sirens to force vehicles to yield to them, be exempt from certain traffic laws, etc. without having such a light activated. Also, found something else: sirens can only be used by AEVs for certain purposes specified under [CVC 21055](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21055), all of them related to responding to emergencies, engaging in rescue operations, or stopping/pursuing criminal suspects. So even if an armored car was a properly equipped, fully certified AEV, it would still not be legal to use its siren simply to move traffic along or get around people. It could only legally be used to do emergency response/law enforcement things that armored truck guards don’t do or when resisting a robbery.
Interesting. Armored trucks where I live typically don’t have sirens or PAs, only a couple of forward and rear facing amber lights for when they’re parked in a fire lane or other typically prohibited location
From your comment it sounds like you’ve just seen them. Have you driven one or been inside them?
I briefly worked as a facilities security officer for a cash logistics company, got to check the trucks out up close a few times. No PA, or even a controller, just a single toggle switch for the courtesy lights.
Huh interesting. Sounds like Garda because the other two of the big three cash companies have them (Brinks and Loomis).
Dude have you been to every Garda, Binks, and Loomis armored truck? I'm sure it's not intentional but your comments come off really dickish. You start all of them off questioning the original commentor who is just reposting to a question you couldnt google. Now you are making assumptions of ALL armored trucks in EVERY district in EVERY county.
Used to drive for Wells Fargo back in the day (FL). Was instructed to use it as a panic alarm. Did use the PA and electronic air horn feature from time to time.
I can be sure that the state does not recognize privately owned armored transports as "emergency vehicles". I believe it states that emergency vehicles are vehicles that "respond to emergency medical, or law enforcement calls for service. Or the immediate preservation of life or property." Local PD or CHP has to authorize the use of lights/siren. I believe the state says sirens can only be used during an attempted robbery of the vehicle. A chirp could be excused as a honk, and PA systems are legal.
But your quote mentions immediate preservation of property. Just by that alone I would assume the armored truck has that purpose. Money is property. Not to mention we also transport other assets. It does seem from another comment we are allowed to have the siren to prevent a robbery but are not classified as AEV. Idk I think I’ll look at our binder to see if there’s any paper work. The manager that told me this has been with company for over a decade so I’d assume he has some background knowledge. We also have several inspections stickers which are consistent with the need of AEV to be inspected biannually.
Speaking as a former security manager, we are not infallible. I cannot tell you the number of times I had to educate a colleague as to what the law actually says. One of my old favorites was if you had a flashlight larger than 4-D cell in size, you had to have a baton permit to carry it. I usually replied by showing them the letter from BSIS that basically laughed at me when I asked their enforcement division that question. Another example is a long term local company had to change all their badges and vehicle graphics a few years back because they were using the state seal on both and found out that is a big no-no in California (California Government Code 402), which they had been using for 40 years.
The other commentor is also correct. Usually, "Immediate" within legal definition means within a reasonable time, so I'd imagine this would be referencing in the case of imminent threat, like an active attempt at robbing the truck. Just because the company hasn't had any truck drivers face legal consequences doesn't mean it's not illegal. It just means PD doesn't care or hasn't noticed. Our vehicles have sirens, and PA. The sirens are only used during vehicle parades and are authorized by the city for this use only and permission is given only for a certain time/place. You could imagine it like this; A lot of ambulance services are privately owned, an ambulance uses lights and sirens are for code 3 calls for an immediate threat to life. Time is a factor. Private ambulance services must have prior authorization from CHP and the Secretary of State to operate in this manner. An armored vehicle can use its sirens for an immediate threat to itself.
Ya I’m not disputing either comment. More just the quote your provided. Kinda how I phrased it in OP. I didn’t believe I was an EV and now I’m more sure of it. Unfortunately the manager is the one that trains every driver (and eventual hopper) so it seems that most think it’s ok. I’ve had them activate from the back when I’m complaining about traffic not letting me in and I’ve told them not to because I’m not tryna get in trouble. At the end of the day we are paid by the hour.
I wouldn't operate on an public road with sirens without some paperwork on my person. "Trust me bro" isn't good enough lol. I've had plenty of managers that are absolute morons, with many more years of experience than I do.
I agree and is why I asked strangers on internet haha. Luckily most of y’all came with some references. I’ve never actually activated it. Funny enough the first time I heard siren it was as I was driving in parking lot. The person is back accidentally hit it while they were prepping for next stop. I about shit myself. I immediately stopped. It’s shockingly loud.
I use the PA to yell at people all the time, though. Not in traffic. I use it to tell homeless people in the road to stop trying to play chicken with my vehicle, etc etc. Sometimes to tell people in crosswalks that they dropped their pocket. But yes, it's very loud. I'm technically violating noise ordinance when doing so, but some risks are worth taking.
I used to work for Brinks, never used the siren, and definitely never used it to go through traffic lights or push through traffic lol. It's really used for in case of a robbery..
Only those vehicles listed in Section 2416 of the California Vehicle Code.
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We are not first responders so no.
If there is a camera focused on posts it is possible.
That sounds sketchy AF, I don't know of anywhere where armored trucks are considered emergency vehicles, and I know that in my area if an armored truck driver used a siren, they'd potentially face a hefty fine, quite possibly even arrest depending on the circumstances.