Vehicle · Move over law
Move Over Law in Texas
When you must change lanes or slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle in Texas, which vehicles are covered, the fine for a violation, and what happens if you injure a responder. Cited to the statute.
What the move over law requires in Texas
The duty to change lanes, when you must slow down instead, which vehicles are covered, and the penalties for a violation.
Texas move-over penalties and the list of covered vehicles are amended often. H.B. 898 raised the fines, and a 2025 change added more vehicles. Confirm the current figures and covered vehicles for your citation date before relying on them.
| What the law requires | What it means |
|---|---|
| Move over a lane | On a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the stopped vehicle, section 545.157 requires you to vacate the lane closest to that vehicle. |
| Slow down if you cannot | If you cannot or do not move over, you must slow to a speed not to exceed 20 miles per hour below the posted limit when the posted limit is 25 miles per hour or more, or to 5 miles per hour when the posted limit is less than 25. |
| Covered vehicles | The law covers a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, a tow truck, a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle, and a utility service vehicle, each using visual signals. As of September 1, 2025, it also covers vehicles operated by animal control officers and parking enforcement employees. |
| Where it applies | The move-over duty applies on a highway with two or more lanes in the direction of the stopped vehicle. The slow-down duty applies on other roads and where you do not move over. |
| Penalties and enhancements | What it means |
|---|---|
| Base fine range | As amended by H.B. 898, an offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,250 for a first offense, plus court costs. |
| Repeat offense | A second or subsequent offense committed within five years is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000. |
| Causing injury | An offense that results in bodily injury to another person is a Class A misdemeanor, which raises the maximum fine to $4,000 and adds possible jail time. A repeat bodily-injury offense is a state jail felony. |
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps for the road and for a ticket in Texas. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- Know the covered vehicles
Learn that tow trucks, TxDOT vehicles, utility vehicles, and now animal control and parking enforcement vehicles trigger the duty when they show visual signals, not just police and fire.
- Move over early
Check your mirrors and signal to leave the closest lane as soon as you see a stopped vehicle ahead. Slow to 20 mph below the limit only if you cannot move over.
- Contest a ticket if you have grounds
With fines that start at $500 and a Class A misdemeanor grade when injury results, a move-over charge is worth reviewing. A lawyer referral service can point you to help.
A move over violation is a traffic offense, and it becomes far more serious if a responder is hurt. A licensed traffic attorney can explain your options; the state bar can refer you to one.
→ State Bar of Texas, Lawyer Referral and Information ServiceThis is general legal information, not legal advice. The covered vehicles, the fine, and the enhancements turn on the exact statute and the facts, so confirm your situation against the code and talk to a lawyer.
What drivers in Texas get wrong about the move over law
Texas puts its move-over rule in Transportation Code section 545.157, often called the Move Over or Slow Down law. When you approach a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, TxDOT vehicle, or utility service vehicle that is using visual signals, you must vacate the lane closest to it if the highway has two or more lanes going the same way. If you cannot move over, you must slow to no more than 20 miles per hour below the posted limit, or to 5 miles per hour when the posted limit is under 25. A 2025 change added animal control and parking enforcement vehicles to the list. House Bill 898 raised the penalties. A first offense is a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $1,250, and a second offense within five years runs $1,000 to $2,000. If the violation causes bodily injury, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor, which raises the maximum fine to $4,000 and adds possible jail time, and a repeat injury offense is a state jail felony. Confirm the current figures and covered vehicles for your date. This is legal information, not legal advice.
Common questions
What does the move-over law require in Texas?
Transportation Code section 545.157 requires you to vacate the lane closest to a stopped emergency, tow, TxDOT, or utility vehicle showing visual signals on a highway with two or more lanes in that direction. If you cannot move over, you must slow to 20 mph below the limit, or 5 mph when the limit is under 25.
Which vehicles are covered by the Texas move-over law?
The law covers authorized emergency vehicles, tow trucks, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles, and utility service vehicles using visual signals. As of September 1, 2025, it also covers animal control and parking enforcement vehicles.
What is the fine for not moving over in Texas?
As amended by House Bill 898, a first offense is a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $1,250. A second offense within five years runs $1,000 to $2,000, plus court costs.
What happens if you hurt a responder by not moving over?
An offense that causes bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor, raising the maximum fine to $4,000 and adding possible jail time. A repeat bodily-injury offense is a state jail felony.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.