Move Over law, school buses and pedestrians

Key points

1. For an emergency vehicle with flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, change lanes away from it.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Motorists who approach an emergency vehicle displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights are required to change lanes away from the authorized vehicle.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

2. If you cannot move over, slow to 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “If you cannot move over, the motorists shall reduce their speed to 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

3. Failing to move over for an emergency vehicle is a Class A infraction.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Failure to comply is a Class A Infraction.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

4. Change lanes away from a disabled stationary vehicle with its hazard flashers on.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Motorists who approach a disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard warning signals are required to change lanes away from the disabled vehicle.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

5. Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and its stop arm extended.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “You must stop when you approach a school bus with flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

6. On a road divided by a barrier or unimproved median, stop only if you are going the same direction as the bus.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “If you are driving on a roadway divided by a barrier or unimproved median, you are required to stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

7. Amber lights on a school bus warn that it is slowing to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “When the school bus driver activates the amber lights, he or she is warning other drivers that the bus is slowing and is going to load or unload children.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

8. Ignoring a school bus stop arm can be a Class A misdemeanor, or a felony if someone is hurt or killed.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “Disregarding a school bus stop arm can result in a Class A misdemeanor, a Level 6 felony if the offense results in bodily injury, or a Level 5 felony if the offense results in death.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

9. Always yield the right of way to people who are visually impaired.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “Drivers must always yield the right of way to persons who are visually impaired.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 55

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Indiana practice test

1. 1. What must an Indiana driver do when approaching an emergency vehicle with alternately flashing red or red and blue lights?

   1. Pass in the emergency vehicle's lane
   2. Stop beside the emergency vehicle
   3. Change lanes away from the authorized vehicle
   4. Turn off the headlights and continue
   Show answer

   Change lanes away from the authorized vehicle. Indiana requires motorists approaching an authorized emergency vehicle with the specified flashing lights to change lanes away from it. If a lane change cannot be made, the driver must reduce speed to 10 miles per hour under the posted limit and proceed cautiously. Stopping beside the vehicle or passing in its lane leaves the traffic exposure unchanged. The cue is the combination of emergency lights and a safe lane opportunity: move away when possible, then use the reduced speed fallback.

2. 2. What does Indiana's Move Over law require when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing?

   1. Yield the right of way, move over and stop, or change lanes
   2. Stop beside the emergency vehicle
   3. Pass between the emergency vehicle and the shoulder
   4. Keep the same lane and speed unless the emergency vehicle honks
   Show answer

   Yield the right of way, move over and stop, or change lanes. Indiana's Move Over law requires motorists to yield the right of way when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. The listed actions are moving right and coming to a complete stop, or changing lanes. Staying in place until a horn sounds ignores the visual warning, and stopping beside or passing between the vehicle and shoulder puts people in the danger area. The key cue is to create lateral space or stop to the right as the situation permits.

3. 3. On a roadway divided by a barrier or unimproved median, when must an Indiana driver stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm?

   1. Only when traveling in the same direction as the school bus
   2. Only when traveling toward the front of the bus
   3. In both directions in every case
   4. Only if children are visible beside the bus
   Show answer

   Only when traveling in the same direction as the school bus. A divided roadway changes the stopping duty: the driver stops for the school bus only while traveling in the bus's direction when a barrier or unimproved median separates traffic. A universal two direction stop ignores that condition, and waiting to see children is unsafe because the red lights and stop arm already provide the warning. The cue is the physical separation plus same direction, not merely the presence of a bus. On an undivided roadway, do not assume the opposing lane is exempt from the ordinary stop requirement.

Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation. 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.