Indiana Move-Over Law
Indiana wants you over a lane for anything stopped with lights on — police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, utility and road crews, and any disabled vehicle running its hazard flashers. Can't move over safely? Slow to at least 10 mph under the limit. Missing a service or disabled vehicle is a Class B infraction up to $1,000; missing a stopped emergency vehicle is a Class A infraction up to $10,000. Hurt or kill a responder and it's a felony (IC 9-21-8-35).
What Indiana requires
Indiana wants you over a lane for anything stopped with lights on — police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, utility and road crews, and any disabled vehicle running its hazard flashers. Can't move over safely? Slow to at least 10 mph under the limit. Missing a service or disabled vehicle is a Class B infraction up to $1,000; missing a stopped emergency vehicle is a Class A infraction up to $10,000. Hurt or kill a responder and it's a felony (IC 9-21-8-35).
Who you move over for, and the fallback
- Move over for: Authorized emergency vehicles (police, fire, EMS); recovery/tow, utility service, solid-waste, road/highway maintenance, and survey/construction vehicles showing amber lights; and any disabled stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard warning signals.
- If you can't move over: On a road with four or more lanes, change to a lane not next to the stopped vehicle if you can do it safely. If you can't, slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit.
- Contrary to some national summaries, Indiana does cover any disabled vehicle with hazard flashers (subsection (d)) — move over or slow to 10 under. Note the split ceiling: emergency vehicles are a Class A infraction (up to $10,000), while service and disabled vehicles are a Class B (up to $1,000).
What a violation costs
Failing to move over for a disabled vehicle or a service vehicle (tow, utility, maintenance) is a Class B infraction, up to $1,000. Failing to move over for a stationary emergency vehicle (police, fire, EMS) is a Class A infraction, up to $10,000. Causing serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death to emergency personnel is a Level 6 felony.
Indiana Move-Over Law FAQ
What is the move-over law in Indiana?
What is the fine for a move-over violation in Indiana?
Do you have to move over for a tow truck in Indiana?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-9-motor-vehicles/in-code-sect-9-21-8-35/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for Indiana
Check Indiana before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →