Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 32-5-213 (2026)
Horns and Warning Devices.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 200 feet.
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren or for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device.
(b) Every police and fire department and fire patrol vehicle and every ambulance used for emergency calls shall be equipped with a siren, bell, ululating multi-toned horns or other electronic siren type device approved by the Director of Public Safety.
(c) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §36; Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 432, p. 578.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13
cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1987–2025 · leading case: Whatley v. Higginbotham, 145 So. 3d 751 (Ala. 2013).
Whatley v. Higginbotham, 145 So. 3d 751 (Ala. 2013). ““(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213 and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual signals on emergency…”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez, 68 F.4th 429 (9th Cir. 2023). “” Ala. Code § 32-5-213 (a). Alaska: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway or other vehicular way or area.”
J.D.I. v. State, 77 So. 3d 610 (Ala. Crim. App. 2011). “”); §32-5-213 (“Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order.”
Smith v. Bradford, 512 So. 2d 50 (Ala. 1987). “The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is permitted to exceed the maximum speed limit, but § 32-5A-7(c) provides that "[t]he exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the…”
Kendrick v. City of Midfield, 203 So. 3d 1200 (Ala. 2016). ““(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213 and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual signals on emergency…”
Cupps v. Mitchell, 182 So. 3d 495 (Ala. 2015). “Code 1975, states that the statutory exemptions in that statute for emergency vehicles "shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of § 32-5-213[, Ala.Code 1975,] and visual requirements of any laws in this state requiring…”
Frank v. Shavers (In re City of Montgomery), 272 So. 3d 155 (Ala. 2018). “"(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213[, Ala. Code 1975,] [ 2 ] and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual…”
Frank v. Shavers (In re City of Montgomery), 272 So. 3d 155 (Ala. 2018). “"(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213[, Ala. Code 1975,] [ 2 ] and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual…”
Ex Parte Lester Lee Thomas. Petition for Writ of Mandamus: Civil (Ala. 2023). “"(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213[, Ala. Code 1975,] and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual signals…”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez (9th Cir. 2023). “” Ala. Code § 32-5-213 (a). Alaska: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway or other vehicular way or area.”
Ex parte City of Montgomery & Shelton Davis PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (In re: Madilyn Shuford v. City of Montgomery & Shelton Davis) (Montgomery Circuit Court: CV-23-900862). (Ala. 2025). “"(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is 15 SC-2024-0547 making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213[, Ala. Code 1975,] and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring…”
Phylena Babbitt, individually, & as Pers. Rep. of Janet Broadbrooks v. Cullman Reg'l Med. Ctr., Inc Cullman Emergency Med. Serv. The Health Care Auth. of Cullman Cnty. & Andrew Blake Hartley (Ala. 2014). “"(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-213 and visual requirements of any laws of this state requiring visual signals on emergency…”
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