Key points
On roads with four or more lanes, vacate the lane closest to a stopped emergency vehicle or wrecker with flashing lights.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“motorists on roadways with four or more lanes must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68If changing lanes is unsafe, slow to at least 15 mph under the posted limit.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“When changing lanes is unsafe or not possible, the driver must slow to a speed that is at least 15 miles per hour less then the posted speed limit.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68On a two lane road posted 25 mph or more, slow to 15 mph under the posted limit.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“is 15 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed is 25 miles per hour or greater”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68Where the posted limit is 20 mph or less, slow to 10 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“travel 10 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68Dial *HP (*47) toll free to report crashes and drunk drivers to State Troopers.
Source: Handbook p. 76
“dial *HP or (*47) toll-free on your cell-phone to contact Alabama State Troopers.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or more lanes | roads where you must vacate the lane next to the stopped vehicle | Handbook p. 68 |
| 15 mph under; 25 mph or more | required slowdown on faster roads when you cannot move over | Handbook p. 68 |
| 10 mph where 20 mph or less | speed to pass a stopped emergency vehicle on slow roads | Handbook p. 68 |
| *47 | cell number for State Troopers | Handbook p. 76 |
3 questions from the Alabama practice test
1. On a two-lane road posted at 25 mph or more, what must a driver do if moving away from a stopped emergency vehicle is unsafe?
- Stop directly beside the emergency vehicle
- Maintain the posted speed and sound the horn continuously
- Move as far away as possible within the lane and slow to 15 mph below the posted speed limit
- Slow only 5 mph below the posted speed limit
Show answer
Move as far away as possible within the lane and slow to 15 mph below the posted speed limit. When a lane change is unsafe or impossible on a two lane road, the driver must move as far from the emergency vehicle or wrecker as possible within the lane. If the posted speed is 25 mph or greater, the driver must also travel 15 mph below that posted limit. Maintaining the limit ignores the reduced speed requirement, while stopping beside the emergency vehicle creates another hazard. A five mph reduction is not enough. Look for the two linked actions: maximize lateral space within the lane and make the required speed reduction.
2. On a two-lane Alabama road posted at 20 mph or less, what speed must a driver use when unable to change lanes around a stopped emergency vehicle?
- 10 mph
- 5 mph below the posted limit
- The posted speed limit plus 10 mph
- A complete stop in every case
Show answer
10 mph. For a two-lane road with a posted speed limit of 20 mph or less, the move-over provision requires travel at 10 mph when a lane change is unsafe or not possible. This is a fixed speed in the manual's low-limit condition, not a five-mph reduction from whatever sign is present. Increasing speed defeats the protective purpose, while an automatic complete stop is not the stated requirement. Also move as far away from the emergency vehicle or wrecker as possible within the lane. The low posted limit is the cue for the 10-mph rule.
3. On an Alabama roadway with four or more lanes, what must you do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
- Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle
- Keep the same speed in the nearest lane
- Stop in the lane next to the emergency vehicle
- Move onto the shoulder and pass the emergency vehicle
Show answer
Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle. Alabama's Move-Over Law requires motorists on roadways with four or more lanes to vacate the lane closest to a stopped emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights, or a wrecker displaying flashing amber lights. If a lane change is unsafe or impossible, the driver must slow by at least 15 miles per hour below the posted limit. Maintaining speed beside the vehicle leaves workers exposed, while stopping next to it can obstruct the protected area. Check mirrors early, change lanes safely, or slow substantially when the adjacent lane cannot be used.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Alabama practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.