Tennessee move over law — Tennessee Permit Test

Tennessee law requires you to yield the lane closest to any emergency, maintenance or recovery vehicle stopped on the shoulder.

Police, tow and road crews work inches from passing traffic. An open lane gives them a buffer.

Tennessee law requires that motorists yield the lane closest to any emergency, maintenance or recovery vehicle that is stopped on the shoulder of the roadway.

The move over law applies on interstates and on any highway with 4 or more lanes that has at least 2 lanes going in the same direction.

The rule only works where there is another lane to move into, so it covers multi-lane roads.

This applies to interstates and any multi-lane highway (with four or more lanes) that has at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.

When safe, move over into a lane that is not next to the stopped emergency vehicle; this applies whether it is on the right or left side of the road.

Crews work on both shoulders. A car in the next lane over can hit someone stepping out on either side.

This requirement to move over applies, regardless of whether the emergency vehicle is on the right or left-hand side of the road.

If an emergency vehicle is stopped on the right shoulder, merge into the left lane, leaving the right lane as a safety barrier.

The empty right lane is the space that keeps a passing car from clipping an officer at the roadside.

If the emergency vehicle is stopped on the right shoulder, the motorist merges into the left lane of traffic, freeing the right most lane as a safety barrier.

The move over law covers utility, sanitation, tow and TDOT HELP vehicles, and road construction vehicles, when stopped with flashing lights.

A tow driver or a phone crew is just as close to traffic as a trooper. They get the same space.

Tow Trucks or TDOT HELP vehicles;

The move over law also applies to any stationary motor vehicle, such as a car or truck, with its emergency flashers on.

A family changing a tire is just as close to traffic as a trooper, so they get the same space.

In addition to above mentioned stationary emergency vehicles with lights flashing, this law now applies to all stationary motor vehicles, such as your car or truck, with their emergency flasher lights on.

If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, proceed with due caution, slow down and keep a safe speed for road conditions.

Swerving into a full lane to move over can cause the crash the law is meant to prevent.

If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle and maintain a safe speed for road conditions.

An emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder. What does Tennessee law require?

Yield the lane closest to it. Police, tow and road crews work inches from passing traffic. An open lane gives them a buffer. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.72: “Tennessee law requires that motorists yield the lane closest to any emergency, maintenance or recovery vehicle that is stopped on the shoulder of the roadway.”