Emergency vehicles and the move over rule

Key points

1. For an emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals, yield and stop parallel to the right hand edge or curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 121

   “you will always yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to the right-hand edge or curb and remain stopped until that vehicle has passed.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 121

2. Pull over to the right edge clear of intersections and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “Pull over to the right edge of the roadway clear of intersections and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 93

3. On a road with two or more lanes your way, move to a lane not next to a parked emergency vehicle if safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 121

   “yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the parked vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 121

4. If a lane change is not possible, slow to a reasonably safe speed.

   Source: Handbook p. 121

   “If a lane change is not possible, the driver shall slow to a reasonably safe speed.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 121

5. Following an emergency vehicle on a call closer than 500 feet is unlawful.

   Source: Handbook p. 97

   “Following emergency vehicles responding to call closer than 500 feet is unlawful.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 97

6. Louisiana's move over law requires you to slow down and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Louisiana "move over" law requires you to slow down and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 30

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. On a multilane highway, how should you respond to a stopped emergency vehicle displaying warning lamps?

   1. Stop in the lane next to the emergency vehicle
   2. Change to a lane not adjacent to it when safe, or slow to a reasonably safe speed
   3. Keep your speed and pass without changing lanes
   4. Move onto the emergency vehicle's shoulder
   Show answer

   Change to a lane not adjacent to it when safe, or slow to a reasonably safe speed. Louisiana's emergency vehicle rule gives priority to creating space around a parked responder. On a highway with two or more lanes in the same direction, change into a lane that is not next to the parked vehicle when traffic and safety allow. If a lane change cannot be made, slow to a reasonably safe speed. Stopping beside the responder can create a new conflict, and normal speed leaves too little protection for people working roadside. Scan early, signal, check the next lane, and make the safest available adjustment.

2. 2. How close may a driver follow an emergency vehicle responding to a call in Louisiana?

   1. Within 100 feet if traveling slowly
   2. Not closer than 500 feet
   3. Within 50 feet when the road is clear
   4. Any distance if the driver uses hazard lights
   Show answer

   Not closer than 500 feet. Louisiana makes it unlawful to follow an emergency vehicle responding to a call closer than 500 feet. The smaller distances in the choices “Within 100 feet if traveling slowly” and “Within 50 feet when the road is clear” are still too close, and hazard lights do not create an exception. This rule addresses following the responding vehicle, while a separate rule covers parking within the block where the emergency vehicle has stopped. The cue is the large spacing requirement: leave at least 500 feet. You also must not follow the responder into, and park within, the block where it has stopped.

3. 3. When an authorized emergency vehicle approaches with audible or visual signals, where should a driver stop?

   1. In the nearest intersection
   2. Immediately beside the center line
   3. On the left shoulder regardless of road direction
   4. Parallel to the right-hand edge or curb
   Show answer

   Parallel to the right-hand edge or curb. An emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals requires you to yield, move parallel to the right edge or curb, clear of intersections, and remain stopped until it passes. This duty applies to traffic in either direction. Stopping in an intersection can block the responder’s route. Look and listen for additional emergency vehicles before resuming. The separate rule for a parked responder on a multilane highway calls for moving into a nonadjacent lane when safe, or slowing when that is impossible.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and Emergencies. 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.