New York Move-Over Law

What New York requires

New York makes you move a full lane over for stopped police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, and other hazard vehicles with their lights on (NY VTL §1144-a). Since March 27, 2024 the duty also covers any vehicle stopped on the shoulder of a parkway or controlled-access highway, disabled cars included. Can't move over safely? Slow down as you pass. A first offense is up to $150 and 2 points, plus surcharge, rising to $300 and $450 on repeats within 18 months.

Who you move over for, and the fallback

• Move over for: Police, fire, and EMS (red/blue/white lights), tow trucks and hazard vehicles with amber lights, and construction, maintenance, and sanitation vehicles. As of March 27, 2024 it also covers any vehicle stopped or standing on the shoulder of a parkway or controlled-access highway, disabled cars included. On ordinary streets the duty still applies only to emergency and hazard vehicles.
• If you can't move over: Move one full lane away from the stopped vehicle. If you can't do that safely, slow down as you approach and pass.
• The March 27, 2024 expansion (subdivision d) reaches any vehicle on the shoulder of a parkway or controlled-access highway, which is where truckers run, but does not extend disabled-vehicle coverage to regular streets. Injury or death is not separately penalized inside 1144-a; those get charged under other statutes, and higher penalties for injuring a responder have been proposed.

What a violation costs

Up to $150 and 2 points on a first offense, plus an $88 to $93 state surcharge. Up to $300 for a second and $450 for a third within 18 months.

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