Emergency vehicles Pull to the right and stop
When a police car, fire engine or ambulance comes with a siren and red lights, drive to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. Stay stopped until it has passed. If you are in an intersection, drive through it first.
CVC 21806(a)(1) · CA Driver's Handbook, "Emergency Vehicles" · DMV DL 955
What do you do when an emergency vehicle with a siren comes up behind you in California?
Drive to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, stop, and stay stopped until it has passed (CVC 21806(a)(1)).
Why this rule exists
Emergency drivers expect everyone to go right and stop. Stopping in an intersection, or not at all, leaves them nowhere to go.
Step by step on the road
- Check your mirrors every few seconds, so a siren is never a surprise.
- Signal, and move smoothly to the right edge or curb of the road.
- Stop clear of any intersection. If you are already in one, drive through it first, then pull over.
- Stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, and look for a second one before you drive on.
- Do not follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle using its siren or flashing lights (Handbook).
Common mistakes
- Stopping in the middle of an intersection.
- Speeding up to get out of the way.
- Stopping where you are, in the lane.
- Driving on as soon as the first vehicle has passed, when a second one is coming.
On the DMV drive test
Failing to pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle is a critical driving error on the DMV drive test (DL 955): the test is failed. The DL 32 sheet lists it under "Disobeys safety personnel or safety vehicles".
Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›Questions people ask
What if you are in an intersection when you hear a siren?
Keep going through the intersection, then drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop (Handbook, "Emergency Vehicles").
How far behind an emergency vehicle must you stay?
The Handbook says it is against the law to follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle when its siren or flashing lights are on.
When can you drive on after an emergency vehicle passes?
Once it has passed (CVC 21806(a)(1)). Look and listen for a second one first, then signal and pull back into traffic when it is safe.
Test yourself
Kees' three questions on this rule, the “Did you know?” facts and his tip come with the drive, in Voorrah! Pro.
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