Move over A stopped vehicle with flashing lights
Coming up to a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, a stopped tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing amber lights, or any other stopped vehicle with hazard lights, cones or flares: change into a lane that is not next to it, if that is safe. If you cannot, slow down to a safe speed.
CVC 21809(a), (c) · CA Driver's Handbook, "Move Over and Slow Down" and "Emergency Vehicles"What is the Move Over law in California?
Move out of the lane next to a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or vehicle with hazard lights, if safe (CVC 21809). If you cannot, slow down.
Why this rule exists
People are working or standing right next to the traffic lane. An empty lane beside them, or a slower car, gives them a margin.
Step by step on the road
- Watch far ahead for flashing lights, hazard lights, cones or flares at the side of the road.
- Check your mirror and your blind spot early.
- If the next lane is free and you may use it, signal and move over, so there is a lane between you and the stopped vehicle.
- If you cannot change lanes safely, slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed as you pass.
Common mistakes
- Staying in the lane next to the stopped vehicle at full speed.
- Swerving into the next lane without a mirror and shoulder check.
- Thinking it is only for police cars: it also covers tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles and any stopped vehicle with hazard lights.
On the DMV drive test
DL 955 scores freeway driving only on supplemental drive tests. On any road, a lane change is scored for traffic check, signal, speed, spacing and steering control: check the mirror, look over your shoulder, signal, wait for an adequate gap, and cancel the signal after. Not checking your mirrors or over your shoulder when you change lanes is a critical driving error.
Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›Questions people ask
Does the Move Over law apply to a car with its hazard lights on?
Yes. CVC 21809 now also covers any stopped vehicle showing flashing hazard lights, or a warning device such as cones or flares.
What if I cannot move over safely?
Slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed as you pass (CVC 21809(a)(2)).
When does the Move Over law not apply?
When the stopped vehicle is not next to the road, or is behind a protective physical barrier (CVC 21809(c)).
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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