Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.04
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.04.040 (2026)

Authorized emergency vehicle

✓ current as of May 2026
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"Authorized emergency vehicle" means any vehicle of any fire department, police department, sheriff's office, coroner, prosecuting attorney, Washington state patrol, ambulance service, public or private, which need not be classified, registered or authorized by the state patrol, or any other vehicle authorized in writing by the state patrol.
[ 1987 c 330 s 701; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.040. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 5; 1953 c 40 s 1; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part. (ii) 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part.]

Notes:

Construction—Application of rules—Severability—1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1954–1977 · leading case: Boyle v. Emerson, 561 P.2d 1110 (Wash. Ct. App. 1977).
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Boyle v. Emerson, 561 P.2d 1110 (Wash. Ct. App. 1977). · cites it 4× “An authorized emergency vehicle is described in RCW 46.04.040 as any vehicle of any fire department, police department, sheriff's office, coroner, prosecuting attorney, Washington state patrol, ambulance service, public or private, which need not be classified, registered or…”
Lakoduk v. Cruger, 296 P.2d 690 (Wash. 1956). · cites it 2× “” RCW 46.04.040. “The provisions of this title relating to the operation of vehicles upon the public highways of this state shall not apply: “(1) To any authorized emergency vehicle properly equipped as required by law and actually responding to an emergency call or in immediate…”
Gilpin v. United States, 120 F. Supp. 812 (W.D. Wash. 1954). “Defendant’s vehicle, an Air Force ambulance, was an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by state law, RCW 46.04.040, properly equipped as required by law, and actually responding to an emergency call within the purpose for which it was authorized, having been dispatched to…”
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