Emergency Vehicles and Stopped Service Vehicles

Key points

1. For an emergency vehicle with siren or flashing lights, drive to the right side, clear of any intersection, and stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “You must immediately drive to the right side of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 34

2. Never stop in an intersection for an emergency vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “However, never stop in an intersection.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 29

3. Near a stopped emergency, utility or service vehicle, slow to a reasonable speed below the posted limit.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Decrease the vehicle speed to a speed that is reasonable and proper and less than the posted speed limit.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

4. If possible, use a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle is stopped”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

5. The stopped vehicle duty also covers anyone attending to a vehicle repair.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “This also applies to anyone attending to a repair of a vehicle.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

6. Do not stop on a shoulder marked for emergency vehicle use.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Drivers of non-emergency vehicles may not stop on a shoulder marked to allow emergency use.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

7. When police signal you, stop as far out of traffic as possible and stay in your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Stop your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible. Stay in your vehicle.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 43

3 questions from the Nevada practice test

1. 1. When approaching a stopped emergency, utility, or service vehicle in Nevada, how must your speed compare with the posted limit?

   1. It may be exactly the posted speed limit
   2. It must be less than the posted speed limit
   3. It must be at least 10 mph above the posted limit
   4. It must be reduced to walking speed in every case
   Show answer

   It must be less than the posted speed limit. The approach speed must be reasonable and proper and less than the posted speed limit. The rule also calls for caution, readiness to stop, and a lane change away from the stopped vehicle when roadway, traffic, weather, and other conditions allow. Driving exactly at the limit is not enough, even if the lane appears open. Walking speed in every case is also an overstatement, because Nevada specifies a prudent speed rather than one universal number. The safest cue is to slow below the signposted limit before reaching the vehicle and then reassess the adjacent lane.

2. 2. Which vehicles are included in Nevada’s stopped-vehicle protection rule?

   1. Law enforcement, tow, NDOT, garbage, and other vehicles covered by the rule
   2. Only private passenger vehicles with hazard lights
   3. Moving farm equipment and slow vehicles with orange triangles
   4. Bicycles and horse drawn carriages near the shoulder
   Show answer

   Law enforcement, tow, NDOT, garbage, and other vehicles covered by the rule. Nevada lists several examples of vehicles covered by its stopped-vehicle approach rule, including law enforcement vehicles, tow trucks, NDOT vehicles, garbage trucks, and other vehicles displaying the specified warning lights in the stated circumstances. Limiting the rule to private cars, moving farm equipment, or bicycles misses those examples. A driver should slow below the posted limit, proceed cautiously, and look for people working around the stopped vehicle. Identify the vehicle early and leave a safe buffer when the roadway permits.

3. 3. If an emergency vehicle arrives while you are already in an intersection, what is the safest response?

   1. Clear the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
   2. Stop immediately across the intersection
   3. Reverse to the stop line and wait there
   4. Continue through without yielding if your light is green
   Show answer

   Clear the intersection, then pull to the right and stop. The emergency vehicle needs a clear path, so a driver who is already in the intersection should finish clearing it before stopping at the right edge. Stopping across the intersection can block the emergency route and create a second conflict. Reversing toward the stop line is unpredictable, and a green signal does not cancel the duty to yield. Once beyond the intersection, stop and remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed. The practical cue is to remove yourself from the intersection before making the required stop.

Source: the Nevada Driver's Handbook, Chapters 3 and 5: Emergency Vehicles. 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.