Maryland Move-Over Law

Maryland makes you move over for anything stopped with its hazards on, not just police and tow trucks (Md. Transp. §21-405). Since October 1, 2022 the law covers any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights, flares, or cones. Move a lane away if you can, or slow to a safe speed for conditions if you can't. A first offense is $110 and 1 point, a crash bumps it to $150 and 3 points, and a death or serious injury runs $750.

Covers any disabled vehicleYes

If you can't move overMove one lane away from the stopped vehicle if you can do it safely. If you can't, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for conditions. The statute sets no fixed mph.

First-offense fineMisdemeanor

StatuteMd. Transp. §21-405

01 The rule

What Maryland requires

02 Who & what

Who you move over for, and the fallback

Move over for: Police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, service and utility vehicles, and waste/recycling trucks using warning signals, plus any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle showing hazard lights, road flares, or caution signals like traffic cones or caution signs.
If you can't move over: Move one lane away from the stopped vehicle if you can do it safely. If you can't, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for conditions. The statute sets no fixed mph.
Expanded to cover all stopped vehicles displaying hazards effective October 1, 2022 (SB 147). The original 2010 law covered emergency responders only; tow trucks were added in 2014.

03 Penalties

What a violation costs

Misdemeanor. First offense $110 and 1 point. If it causes a crash, $150 and 3 points. If it causes a death or serious injury, $750 and 3 points.

Maryland Move-Over Law FAQ

What is the move-over law in Maryland?

Move one lane away from the stopped vehicle if you can do it safely. If you can't, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for conditions. The statute sets no fixed mph.. You must do it for Police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, service and utility vehicles, and waste/recycling trucks using warning signals, plus any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle showing hazard lights, road flares, or caution signals like traffic cones or caution signs., including any disabled vehicle with its hazards on. See Md. Transp. §21-405.

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

Misdemeanor. First offense $110 and 1 point. If it causes a crash, $150 and 3 points. If it causes a death or serious injury, $750 and 3 points.

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

Yes. Maryland 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://zerodeathsmd.gov/how-you-can-help/move-over/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Maryland Move-Over Law

What Maryland requires

Who you move over for, and the fallback

What a violation costs

Maryland Move-Over Law FAQ

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