---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 39"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "39"
heading: "Traffic signal preemption transmitters"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/39"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 2 — Aircraft and Motor Vehicles"
---

# §39. Traffic signal preemption transmitters

- (a) **Offenses.—**
  - (1) **Sale.—** [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), in or affecting [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2), knowingly sells a traffic signal preemption transmitter to a nonqualifying user shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
  - (2) **Use.—** [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), in or affecting [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2), being a nonqualifying user makes unauthorized use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
- (b) **Definitions.—** In this section, the following definitions apply:
  - (1) **Traffic signal preemption transmitter.—** The term “traffic signal preemption transmitter” means any mechanism that can change or alter a traffic signal’s phase time or sequence.
  - (2) **Nonqualifying user.—** The term “nonqualifying user” means a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who uses a traffic signal preemption transmitter and is not acting on behalf of a public agency or private corporation authorized by law to provide fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transit services, maintenance, or other services for a Federal, [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or local government entity, but does not include a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) using a traffic signal preemption transmitter for classroom or instructional purposes.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2018(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1542.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Another section 39 was renumbered section 40 of this title.