Delaware Move-Over Law

Delaware wants you a lane over for any stopped vehicle flashing warning signals, including a disabled car with its hazards, flares, or cones out (21 Del. C. §4134). Can't move over? Where the limit is 50 or higher, drop at least 20 mph below it. Fines run up to $250, then $500, then $1,000. Hit and injure an emergency responder and you're looking at a Class F felony.

Covers any disabled vehicleYes

If you can't move overMove over a lane if you can do it safely. If you can't and the limit is 50 mph or higher, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit.

First-offense fineUp to $250 first offense, up to $500 second, up to $1,000 after that, with community service allowed in place of the fine

Statute21 Del. C. §4134

01 The rule

What Delaware requires

02 Who & what

Who you move over for, and the fallback

Move over for: Authorized emergency vehicles, DelDOT vehicles, tow trucks, and public utility vehicles with flashing lights, plus any stationary vehicle displaying warning signals such as hazard lights, road flares, traffic cones, or caution signs.
If you can't move over: Move over a lane if you can do it safely. If you can't and the limit is 50 mph or higher, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit.
Penalties were strengthened recently. The current code covers disabled vehicles with warning signals and carries the Class F felony for injuring a responder. Confirmed against the official Delaware Code and the Delaware Center for Transportation (Feb 2025).

03 Penalties

What a violation costs

Up to $250 first offense, up to $500 second, up to $1,000 after that, with community service allowed in place of the fine. Hitting an emergency responder and causing injury is a Class F felony.

Delaware Move-Over Law FAQ

What is the move-over law in Delaware?

Move over a lane if you can do it safely. If you can't and the limit is 50 mph or higher, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit.. You must do it for Authorized emergency vehicles, DelDOT vehicles, tow trucks, and public utility vehicles with flashing lights, plus any stationary vehicle displaying warning signals such as hazard lights, road flares, traffic cones, or caution signs., including any disabled vehicle with its hazards on. See 21 Del. C. §4134.

What is the fine for a move-over violation in Delaware?

Up to $250 first offense, up to $500 second, up to $1,000 after that, with community service allowed in place of the fine. Hitting an emergency responder and causing injury is a Class F felony.

Do you have to move over for a tow truck in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware covers tow trucks and, in fact, any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights.

Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c041/sc04/index.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Delaware Move-Over Law

What Delaware requires

Who you move over for, and the fallback

What a violation costs

Delaware Move-Over Law FAQ

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