(1) The provisions of section 1251 of this title shall not apply to directional signal lamps of a type approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(2) All persons with motor vehicles equipped as provided in subdivision 1252(a)(1) and (2) of this title, shall use the sirens or colored signal lamps or both only in the direct performance of their official duties. When any person other than a law enforcement officer is operating a motor vehicle equipped as provided in subdivision 1252(a)(1) of this title, the colored signal lamp shall be either removed, covered, or hooded. When any person, other than an authorized ambulance operator, firefighter, or authorized operator of vehicles used in rescue operation is operating a motor vehicle equipped as provided in subdivision 1252(a)(2) of this title, the colored signal lamps shall be either removed, covered, or hooded unless the operator holds a senior operator license. (Added 1967, No. 265 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1985, No. 85, § 8; 1995, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)