Wisconsin Move-Over Law
Wisconsin now covers the whole shoulder. Under 2025 Act 54 you move over for emergency and roadside-service vehicles, tow trucks, utility crews, and any disabled vehicle showing hazards, flares, or a person standing next to it. If you can't change lanes safely, slow down and stay slow until you clear it. A ticket runs $30 to $300 and comes with a license suspension (Wis. Stat. 346.072).
What Wisconsin requires
Wisconsin now covers the whole shoulder. Under 2025 Act 54 you move over for emergency and roadside-service vehicles, tow trucks, utility crews, and any disabled vehicle showing hazards, flares, or a person standing next to it. If you can't change lanes safely, slow down and stay slow until you clear it. A ticket runs $30 to $300 and comes with a license suspension (Wis. Stat. 346.072).
Who you move over for, and the fallback
- Move over for: Emergency vehicles, tow trucks and roadside-service vehicles, highway construction and maintenance vehicles, utility and telecom vehicles, and any disabled vehicle stopped on or within 12 feet of the road showing hazard lights, flares/warning devices, or a person visibly attending it.
- If you can't move over: If there are two or more lanes your direction and you can change safely, move out of the lane nearest the stopped vehicle. Otherwise slow to a safe speed for conditions and stay slow until you are completely past.
- 2025 Act 54 (Gov. Evers signed AB 409 on Dec 9, 2025) added disabled vehicles, so the duty now reaches any car on the shoulder with hazards, flares, or someone standing by it. Recent expansion — Wisconsin is now an all-road-users state, not responders-only.
What a violation costs
Noncriminal forfeiture of $30 to $300 for a first offense, plus a driver's license (operating privilege) suspension under s. 343.30(1o). Penalties climb sharply if the violation causes a crash or injury.
Wisconsin Move-Over Law FAQ
What is the move-over law in Wisconsin?
What is the fine for a move-over violation in Wisconsin?
Do you have to move over for a tow truck in Wisconsin?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346/ii/072. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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