Vermont Move-Over Law
Vermont wants a lane change for stopped police, fire, ambulance, rescue, and tow-and-repair vehicles with lights on. Move over on a multilane road if it is safe, or slow to a reasonable, safe speed if you cannot. Failing to move over runs about $335 and puts 5 points on your license (23 V.S.A. § 1050).
Some figures on this page are flagged medium confidence. The rule is solid, but a specific fine tier should be confirmed with the state DOT or DPS before you rely on it.
What Vermont requires
Vermont wants a lane change for stopped police, fire, ambulance, rescue, and tow-and-repair vehicles with lights on. Move over on a multilane road if it is safe, or slow to a reasonable, safe speed if you cannot. Failing to move over runs about $335 and puts 5 points on your license (23 V.S.A. § 1050).
Who you move over for, and the fallback
- Move over for: Stationary law enforcement vehicles (blue lights), ambulances, fire apparatus, volunteer firefighter and rescue vehicles (red lights), and towing and repair vehicles (amber lights).
- If you can't move over: On a multilane highway, move into a lane farther from the stopped vehicle if it is safe. If you must stay in the adjacent lane, slow to a reasonable, safe, and prudent speed. For a passing emergency vehicle with siren, pull right and stop.
- Coverage still stops at emergency and tow-and-repair vehicles; a plain disabled car is not covered. The 5 points make this a costlier ticket than the dollar figure suggests. Older summaries listing roughly $162 are out of date against the current waiver schedule.
What a violation costs
About $335 and 5 license points for failing to move over (Judicial Bureau waiver amount; statutory range runs roughly $47 to $1,197).
Vermont Move-Over Law FAQ
What is the move-over law in Vermont?
What is the fine for a move-over violation in Vermont?
Do you have to move over for a tow truck in Vermont?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://dmv.vermont.gov/enforcement-and-safety/laws/move-over-law. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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