Minnesota Move-Over Law

What Minnesota requires

Minnesota calls it the Ted Foss law. Move over a lane for any stopped emergency, tow, maintenance, utility, or service vehicle, and since July 2023 for any stalled or disabled vehicle showing hazard lights (Minn. Stat. 169.18, subd. 11a). Can't move over, or you've only got one lane your way? Slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. A first offense is a petty misdemeanor up to $300 plus surcharge.

Who you move over for, and the fallback

• Move over for: Authorized vehicles with their emergency, flashing, or warning lights on: police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, freeway service patrol, road maintenance, utility company, construction, solid waste, and recycling vehicles. It does not yet cover an ordinary disabled car showing only its hazard lights.
• If you can't move over: On a road with two or more lanes your way, move to the lane farthest from the stopped vehicle if you can. On a single-lane-each-way road, or when you can't change lanes, slow to a speed that's reasonable and prudent for conditions until you're fully past it.
• Known as the Ted Foss Move Over Law. Subdivision 11a (effective July 1, 2023) extended the duty to stalled and disabled vehicles showing hazard lights, so a broken-down car is now covered. Endangering a person or property bumps the offense up to a misdemeanor with jail exposure.

What a violation costs

Petty misdemeanor: fine up to $300 plus about a $75 surcharge, no jail (a typical first-offense payable is around $130). It rises to a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and/or $1,000) when the violation endangers a person or property, or after two prior offenses in a year. Injury or death is charged separately (Minn. Stat. 169.18, subd. 11 and 11a).

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