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DMV Permit · General

What is the 'move over law' and when does it apply?

Correct answer

Move over one lane (or slow down significantly if lane change is unsafe) when approaching emergency, police, fire, tow trucks, or road maintenance vehicles stopped on or near the road with warning lights activated

  1. A Move over when any driver signals you are going too slow
  2. B Move over one lane (or slow down significantly if lane change is unsafe) when approaching emergency, police, fire, tow trucks, or road maintenance vehicles stopped on or near the road with warning lights activated
  3. C Only for police vehicles
  4. D Only on the highway, not city streets

Why this is the answer

MOVE OVER LAW: All 50 states have move-over laws. REQUIREMENT: When approaching a stationary emergency, police, fire, ambulance, tow truck, or road maintenance vehicle with warning lights activated — if possible, move one full lane away from the stopped vehicle; if lane change is not safely possible (traffic, curves, weather), slow down significantly below the speed limit and proceed with caution. WHY: Roadside worker fatalities from being struck by passing vehicles are tragically common; these workers are especially vulnerable when attending to accidents or breakdowns on high-speed roads; the move-over law gives them a safety buffer. VIOLATIONS: Fines vary by state and severity; some states make move-over violations a primary offense (can pull you over for it alone); fatal crashes from move-over violations carry serious criminal penalties. APPLIES TO: Both highway and non-highway roads in most states.
Source: DMV Handbook, Move Over Law

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