Yielding to emergency vehicles — Tennessee Permit Test

When an emergency vehicle is approaching, Tennessee law requires you to pull over as close as possible to the right edge or curb, stop, and stay stopped until it passes.

An ambulance needs a clear lane fast. Cars pulling right and stopping open that lane for it.

Tennessee law requires that when an emergency vehicle is approaching, all traffic meeting or being overtaken must yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway stop.

If you are in an intersection when an emergency vehicle comes, drive on through the intersection before pulling over.

Stopping in the middle of the intersection blocks the path the fire truck needs. Clear it, then pull over.

If you are in an intersection, drive on through the intersection before pulling over, or you may block the emergency vehicle’s path through the intersection.

Do not pull over to the right if it will block a side road or driveway; the emergency vehicle may need to turn there.

The emergency may be down that very side street. A car parked across it can cost the crew precious time.

Do not pull over to the right if it will block a side road or driveway.

If you are stopped at a red light and it turns green before the emergency vehicle has passed, do not go; wait until it has passed.

The emergency vehicle may be about to run your green. Pulling out puts you right in its path.

If the light turns green before the emergency vehicle has passed, do NOT proceed on green.

It is against the law for an unauthorized private vehicle to have blue, or blue and red, flashing emergency lights installed or shown in any manner.

Blue lights tell drivers to pull over for police. Fake ones confuse drivers and can be used to trick them.

It is against the law for an unauthorized private vehicle to have a blue flashing emergency light or combination of blue and red flashing emergency lights installed, maintained or visibly shown on the vehicle in any manner.

It is against the law to follow a fire truck or other emergency vehicle that is responding to an alarm or emergency.

Fire trucks stop suddenly and other crews come in behind them. A curious driver following close gets in their way.

It is against the law to follow a fire truck or other emergency vehicle responding to a fire alarm or other emergency.

It is illegal to drive within the block where an emergency vehicle has stopped to handle an emergency.

Crews and hoses spread out around the scene. Cars driving into that block get in the way and put workers at risk.

It is also illegal to take your vehicle within the block of where the emergency vehicle has stopped to take care of the emergency.

Do not drive over an unprotected fire hose unless the fire department official in command says it is okay.

A hose run over by a car can burst or kink. Firefighters inside a burning building could lose their water.

If your car passes an emergency site, do not drive over any unprotected fire department hose unless the fire department official in command says it is okay.

An ambulance with its siren on is coming. What must you do?

Pull to the right edge and stop. An ambulance needs a clear lane fast. Cars pulling right and stopping open that lane for it. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.54: “Tennessee law requires that when an emergency vehicle is approaching, all traffic meeting or being overtaken must yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway stop.”