Emergency vehicles, move over and traffic stops

Key points

1. Yield to emergency vehicles with siren and flashing light: drive to the right, clear of intersections, and stop until they pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “You must immediately drive to the right side of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

2. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is a Class E crime.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “Failure to do so is a Class E crime.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

3. If you are at an intersection, get out of it before you pull over.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-9

   “If you are at an intersection, get out of it before you pull over.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-9

4. It is unlawful to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck responding to an alarm.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-9

   “It is unlawful to follow within 500 feet of any fire truck responding to a fire alarm.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-9

5. For an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, slow down and move over a lane if you can.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-10

   “When you encounter an emergency vehicle that is stopped on the roadside you must slow and yield the right-of-way. If possible, move over to the next lane.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-10

6. If a lane change is not safe, slow down and pass with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-10

   “If a lane change is not safe, slow down and use caution as you drive by the emergency vehicle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-10

7. In a traffic stop, turn off the engine, turn on the hazard flashers and, at night, the inside lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-10

   “Turn off your engine. Turn on your hazard flashers. At night, turn on your inside lights so the officer can see inside the vehicle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-10

8. An orange and red triangle on the rear means the vehicle moves less than 25 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 10-10

   “A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle displayed on the rear indicates that the vehicle is moving less than 25 mph.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-10

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. When an emergency vehicle approaches with a siren and flashing light, what must a Maine driver do?

   1. Follow the emergency vehicle in its travel lane
   2. Continue through the intersection before checking mirrors
   3. Yield, move right clear of the intersection, and stop
   4. Pull left and stop beside the center line
   Show answer

   Yield, move right clear of the intersection, and stop. An emergency responder with the specified warning signals has priority. Move immediately to the right side of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and stop until the vehicle has passed. Remaining in the intersection can block the response path, while continuing forward treats the warning as optional. Check mirrors, signal the movement when appropriate, and stop where the vehicle has room to pass. This response applies to an active response vehicle, not merely a parked service vehicle with no warning operating. The practical cue is lights or a siren demanding a clear path.

2. 2. What is unlawful when following a fire truck responding to a fire alarm?

   1. Following within 500 feet of it
   2. Remaining more than 500 feet behind it
   3. Pulling to the right and stopping for it
   4. Clearing an intersection before pulling over
   Show answer

   Following within 500 feet of it. Maine makes it unlawful to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck that is responding to a fire alarm. The distance rule protects the emergency vehicle's operating space and keeps a following driver from being drawn into a hazardous response path. Staying farther back is not the prohibited conduct. Pulling right, stopping, and clearing an intersection are actions the manual requires when yielding to emergency vehicles, not violations. The numeric cue is 500 feet: once the truck has passed, do not close the gap and trail it closely. Continue only with ample separation and normal caution.

3. 3. When passing a stopped emergency vehicle on the roadside in Maine, what is the required response?

   1. Pass on the shoulder without reducing speed
   2. Maintain speed because the emergency vehicle is stopped
   3. Stop in the adjacent lane until the vehicle is towed
   4. Slow and yield, moving over to the next lane when possible
   Show answer

   Slow and yield, moving over to the next lane when possible. Maine directs drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on the roadside to slow and yield the right of way. If possible, the driver should move over to the next lane; if that lane change is unsafe, the driver should slow down and use caution while passing. Maintaining speed ignores the hazard, and stopping in a live lane or using the shoulder creates additional risk. The cue is two parts: move over when safe, otherwise slow down and pass carefully.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 10: Sharing the Road. 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.