Crash duties, the Move It Law and the Move Over Law

Key points

1. After a crash, you must show proof of insurance to police at the scene or at the station.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “you must provide proof of insurance to law enforcement at the scene of the crash, or at the police station.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

2. Stop immediately and never leave the scene. Check for injuries and give reasonable help.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Stop immediately and never leave the scene. Check for injuries and where practical render reasonable assistance.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

3. During Accident Alert Status, you must file a report with police within 24 hours.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “You must file an accident report with law enforcement within 24 hours.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

4. If you hit a parked car and cannot find the owner, call police and leave a note.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “If a crash involves a parked car and you cannot find the owner, call law enforcement and leave a note”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

5. The Move It Law: move a minor crash off a divided highway if the vehicle is drivable, no one is hurt and no drugs or alcohol are involved.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “State law requires motorists involved in a minor crash on a divided highway to move their vehicles off the highway when: The vehicle is drivable. No drugs or alcohol are involved. There are no injuries.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

6. For any stopped vehicle on a highway with hazards flashing, move over one lane if safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “When you encounter any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazards flashing, you must move over one lane if you can do so safely.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 27

7. If you cannot move over, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “you must slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 27

8. A Good Samaritan asks a conscious victim for permission before giving care.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “Ask a conscious victim for permission before giving care.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 27

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. Under Colorado’s Move It Law, which crash should be moved off a divided highway?

   1. A crash with injuries if traffic is heavy
   2. Any crash involving a vehicle that cannot move
   3. Every crash before drivers exchange information
   4. A minor crash with drivable vehicles, no injuries, and no drugs or alcohol involved
   Show answer

   A minor crash with drivable vehicles, no injuries, and no drugs or alcohol involved. The Move It Law applies to minor crashes on divided highways when the vehicles can still be driven, no one is injured, and drugs or alcohol are not involved. It does not tell drivers to move disabled vehicles or ignore injury scenes. Once the vehicles are in a safer location, drivers can contact law enforcement and exchange information. The cue is a drivable, noninjury crash blocking traffic.

2. 2. Colorado’s Move Over Law protects which group besides emergency and maintenance personnel?

   1. Only vehicles carrying hazardous materials
   2. Only drivers of passenger buses
   3. Only people crossing at school zones
   4. Tow truck drivers and you
   Show answer

   Tow truck drivers and you. The Move Over Law is broader than police, fire, and maintenance vehicles. The handbook says it also protects tow truck drivers and ordinary drivers. That is why a vehicle with flashing hazards on a highway deserves a lane change when safe, or a significant speed reduction when moving over is not possible. The flashing hazards are the cue to create space.

3. 3. Before giving first aid to a conscious crash victim, what should a Good Samaritan do?

   1. Give care beyond the rescuer’s training
   2. Move the victim even when no danger exists
   3. Wait until every bystander leaves
   4. Ask the victim for permission
   Show answer

   Ask the victim for permission. Good Samaritan guidance expects common sense and care within the rescuer’s training. For a conscious victim, Colorado says to ask permission before giving care. Moving someone without a life-threatening reason or trying procedures beyond your skill can create new harm. The cue is whether the victim is awake and able to respond before you start helping. Permission comes before nonurgent assistance begins.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Crash Tips. 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.