Emergency Vehicles and the Move Over Law

Key points

1. When an emergency vehicle approaches, pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to it as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Drivers should pull over to the right edge of the road, or near to the right as possible.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 11

2. If you are in an intersection, drive through it before pulling over.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “If you are in an intersection, go ahead and drive through the intersection before pulling over.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 11

3. On a multilane highway, move to the lane farthest from a stopped law enforcement vehicle with lights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Arkansas law requires any motor vehicle on a multilane highway to move over, whenever possible, to the farthest lane away from any stopped law enforcement vehicle with its lights turned on.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 11

4. The rule also covers ARDOT, utility and towing vehicles with their lights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “(i.e., enforcement vehicle, Arkansas DOT, utility vehicle, or a towing vehicle) with its lights turned on.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 15

5. If moving over is unsafe or impossible, slow to a safe speed for conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “If moving over is unsafe or impossible, reduce your speed to a safe level for conditions or a legally mandated speed.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 21

6. Violators can be fined up to $1,000, jailed, and have the license suspended up to 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “If a driver is found guilty of violating this law, they can be fined up to $1,000, receive jail time or both. The court may order community service or suspend a person’s driver’s license up to six (6) months.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 11

7. Leave extra space behind police vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks; they need room to work.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Following Emergency Vehicles- Police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks need room to work.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 59

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Arkansas practice test

1. 1. An emergency vehicle approaches with flashing lights and a siren. What should you do?

   1. Pull to the right edge, or as near to the right as possible
   2. Stop in the intersection where you first hear the siren
   3. Follow the emergency vehicle closely through traffic
   4. Move left and maintain your current speed
   Show answer

   Pull to the right edge, or as near to the right as possible. Arkansas directs a driver facing an approaching emergency vehicle with flashing lights and sirens to pull to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible. Stopping in the intersection can block the emergency vehicle and create a second hazard. If you are already in an intersection, continue through it before pulling over. Watch and listen in every direction, because the emergency vehicle may be coming from behind, ahead, or across your path. The practical cue is siren or flashing light: make room promptly and remain stopped until it passes.

2. 2. What is the Arkansas response to a stopped law enforcement vehicle with its emergency lights on?

   1. Drive closer so the officer can identify your vehicle
   2. Move to the farthest lane away on a multilane highway when possible
   3. Use the shoulder to pass without changing speed
   4. Stop directly behind the vehicle in the traffic lane
   Show answer

   Move to the farthest lane away on a multilane highway when possible. On a multilane highway, Arkansas requires drivers to move over whenever possible, placing the vehicle in the farthest lane away from a stopped law enforcement vehicle with its lights on. This protects officers and others involved in the stop from traffic passing too close. Driving closer or stopping behind the vehicle creates the exposure the rule is designed to reduce. The shoulder is not a shortcut for passing, and using it at speed can endanger people or disabled vehicles. Look ahead, prepare early, and change lanes only after checking that the new lane is clear.

3. 3. If moving over for a stationary roadside vehicle is unsafe or impossible, what should you do?

   1. Reduce speed to a safe level and proceed with caution
   2. Maintain the posted speed and pass close to the vehicle
   3. Stop in the traffic lane until the roadside vehicle leaves
   4. Use the shoulder to avoid making any adjustment
   Show answer

   Reduce speed to a safe level and proceed with caution. Arkansas's Move Over guidance provides a fallback when changing lanes cannot be done safely: reduce speed to a safe level for the conditions or a legally mandated speed. Passing close at the posted speed leaves little room for the people working beside the road. Stopping in a travel lane can create a rear-end hazard, and using the shoulder is not a general escape route. Scan ahead for stopped emergency, construction, utility, or tow vehicles, slow early, and give the roadside activity as much space as traffic conditions safely allow.

Source: the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Chapter 1: Move Over Law. 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.