Missouri Move-Over Law

What Missouri requires

Missouri treats this as a class A misdemeanor, one of the toughest labels in the country. Move over a lane for any vehicle stopped with red, blue, or amber lights running, police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, utility crews, MoDOT. Can't change lanes safely? Slow down and hold a safe speed until you are past. A conviction can reach $2,000 and a year in jail. A death is charged separately as manslaughter, not under the move-over law (RSMo 304.022).

Who you move over for, and the fallback

• Move over for: Vehicles stopped with red or red-and-blue lights (police, fire, EMS) and vehicles stopped with amber or amber-and-white lights (tow trucks, utility vehicles, MoDOT and highway maintenance). A plain disabled vehicle showing only four-way flashers is not covered.
• If you can't move over: On a road with four or more lanes, move into a lane not next to the stopped vehicle if you can do it safely. If a lane change is impossible or unsafe, slow down and hold a safe speed for conditions.
• Framed as a class A misdemeanor, so the ceiling ($2,000 and up to a year) is high even though most tickets run far less. Covers red/blue emergency lights and amber warning lights; it does not reach a random disabled car with hazards.

What a violation costs

Class A misdemeanor: up to $2,000 and up to 1 year in jail. This is the only tier; injury does not raise it. A death is charged separately under Missouri's manslaughter laws, not the move-over statute (RSMo 304.022).

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