NJ Form BLC-56 Red Light/Siren Permit Guide – If you serve as a volunteer fire chief, first aid or rescue squad officer, or work for an emergency vehicle manufacturer in New Jersey, you may need authorization to equip a personal or designated vehicle with red emergency lights and/or a siren. The official application for this authorization is New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Form BLC-56.
This guide explains who qualifies, what the form requires, how to submit it, and key rules under New Jersey law. All information is drawn from official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission resources and the New Jersey Administrative Code.
What Is New Jersey Form BLC-56?
Form BLC-56 is the official application used to request a permit allowing the display and use of red emergency lights and/or a siren on a specific vehicle. The form is issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Business Licensing Services Bureau and is governed by N.J.A.C. 13:24 et seq.
Red and blue emergency light permits are free of charge. The completed application, supporting documents, and any required approvals must be submitted to the MVC for review and issuance of the permit.
You can download the official Form BLC-56 (PDF) directly from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission here: Download NJ Form BLC-56 (PDF).
Who Is Eligible for a Red Light and/or Siren Permit?
According to the information printed on Form BLC-56 and N.J.A.C. 13:24-2.4, applicants may be considered eligible only if the vehicle intended to display the red light and/or siren meets one of the following criteria:
- Owned by and registered in the name of the current chief or first assistant chief of a volunteer fire company (no more than two permits per company).
- Owned by and registered in the name of the chief officer of a volunteer first aid or rescue squad (no more than two permits per squad).
- Owned or leased by an organization engaged in the manufacture and/or sale of emergency vehicles or equipment and operated by an employee only for demonstration or delivery purposes.
Additional categories (such as certain Emergency Management Coordinators, search and rescue personnel, or county medical examiners) use different MVC forms (for example, BLC-50, BLC-51, or BLC-56A) and follow separate procedures under N.J.A.C. 13:24-3.
Police chiefs or first assistants may qualify under limited circumstances if the municipality does not provide a department vehicle, but they must meet the full-time official requirements set forth in the regulations.
Key Rules for Permit Holders
Once issued, the permit is subject to strict conditions:
- Validity — Permits are valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance and are non-transferable.
- Possession — The permit must be in the possession of the operator at all times when the red lights and/or sirens are displayed and must be shown upon request by any law enforcement official.
- Cancellation or Revocation — The MVC Chief Administrator may cancel or revoke a permit for reasons including expiration or termination of the term of office that entitled the holder to the permit; sale, transfer, destruction, or termination of the lease of the vehicle; violation of any conditions in N.J.A.C. 13:24; or conviction of certain motor vehicle violations involving lights or sirens. Cancelled or revoked permits must be surrendered to the MVC within 10 days.
- Mounting Requirements — For chiefs and first assistant chiefs of volunteer fire companies or chief officers of first aid/rescue squads, red lights must be mounted only on the exterior of the vehicle and may consist of no more than two (2) magnetic-base removable lights. Specific placement rules apply (center of roof or left windshield column for one light; both sides of the front roof or each windshield column for two lights). Sirens for these holders must generally be mounted under the hood.
For full details, review the reverse side of Form BLC-56 and the current New Jersey Administrative Code Chapter 13:24.
How to Complete and Submit Form BLC-56?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Download the official form: NJ Form BLC-56 PDF.
- Print your full name and address as the applicant.
- Provide the New Jersey driver license number of the applicant.
- Enter the name of the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle, street address, city, county, state, and ZIP code.
- Describe the make, model, year, registration plate number, and VIN of the vehicle (as required on the form).
- Describe the intended use of the vehicle.
- Sign and date the application. Include your title and organization name, plus the organization’s corporation code if applicable.
- Indicate whether you are a paid employee or volunteer and whether the vehicle is provided by the department.
- Have the Mayor or Chief Executive Officer of the governing body of the municipality being served complete and sign the approval section. They must confirm they have read the information on the reverse of the form and believe the applicant qualifies.
- Attach a copy of the current vehicle registration. If the vehicle is leased, also attach a copy of the lease agreement.
- If you currently hold a Blue Light permit for the same vehicle, surrender that permit with the BLC-56 application.
Mail the completed application and attachments to:
Business Licensing Services Bureau
P.O. Box 168
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0168
Questions about the application may be directed to the Business Licensing Services Bureau at (609) 292-6500 ext. 5014. Spanish-language assistance is available at (609) 292-6500 ext. 5008.
Related Forms and Additional Resources
The New Jersey MVC maintains a full list of special light permit applications. Related forms include:
- BLC-56A — Red Light Permit for Search & Rescue
- BLC-50 — Red Light Permit for Municipal OEM Coordinator
- BLC-51 — Red Light Permit for County OEM Coordinator
- BLC-54 and related forms for Blue Light permits
Official information on light permits is available on the New Jersey MVC website: NJ MVC Light Permits page and the complete forms listing at NJ MVC Forms.
Always verify the most current version of Form BLC-56 and any regulatory updates directly on the official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website, as requirements can change.
Important Reminders for Applicants in the United States
This permit applies only within New Jersey. Unauthorized use of red emergency lights or sirens can result in violations under Title 39 of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations. Permits are issued for legitimate emergency-response purposes only and do not grant the same privileges as fully authorized emergency vehicles in all situations.
If you are unsure whether you qualify or which form to use, contact the Business Licensing Services Bureau before submitting an application. Providing accurate information and the required supporting documents helps ensure timely processing.
For the official application form, download it now: New Jersey Form BLC-56 — Red Light and/or Siren Permit Application (PDF).