New York Move Over Laws
Neglecting to move over when approaching a stopped emergency, maintenance, or disabled vehicle in New York can result in fines, license points, and insurance increases.
Written by Jaya Anandjit
Edited by Jessica Barrett
In the state of
New York
, the law requires drivers to move one full lane over to the left side of the road when approaching emergency vehicles. Failure to abide by New York's move over law can not only be costly in terms of fines, but it can also result in subsequent tickets, motor vehicle points, and surcharges on your car insurance
policy. - As of January 1, 2012, New York’s move over law (VLT 1144-a(a)) requires all drivers to move over to the left lane when approaching and passing emergency vehicles.
- In 2023, New York’s state legislature passed a bill that additionally requires drivers to slow down and move over for disabled vehicles parked, standing, or stalled on highway shoulders.
- Drivers who fail to abide by New York’s move over law will face fines, driver’s license points, a surcharge, a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee, and increased insurance premiums.
- As of January 1, 2012, New York’s move over law (VLT 1144-a(a)) requires all drivers to move over to the left lane when approaching and passing emergency vehicles.
- In 2023, New York’s state legislature passed a bill that additionally requires drivers to slow down and move over for disabled vehicles parked, standing, or stalled on highway shoulders.
- Drivers who fail to abide by New York’s move over law will face fines, driver’s license points, a surcharge, a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee, and increased insurance premiums.
What are the move over laws in New York?
New York’s move over law, codified in VTL 1144-a(a), sets penalties for “failing to move over for emergency vehicles and hazard vehicles.”
When moving over, drivers are responsible for abiding by New York’s traffic laws. If it’s not possible to safely move one lane over when a driver is approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle, you’re required to slow down to a speed that’s reasonable within the traffic conditions.
Drivers must not infringe on the following driving laws when attempting to move over for an emergency or disabled vehicle:
- Speed beyond the lawful speed limit
- Drive on the wrong side of the road or cross a double yellow line
- Run a red light or stop sign
- Fail to yield the right of way to other drivers or pedestrians
Keep in mind: While most states’ laws refer to scenarios involving a non-adjacent lane, New Yorkers need to be aware that drivers in adjacent lanes need to move over as well.
What is considered an emergency vehicle in New York?
Look out for any vehicles with flashing lights and/or sirens, but know for certain that New York’s move over law applies to the following:
- Police vehicles
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Tow trucks
- Road maintenance vehicles
- Sanitation vehicles
Update to New York’s move over law: Move over for disabled vehicles
In June 2023, New York’s state legislature passed a bill that requires drivers to take due care to move over one full lane for stopped vehicles that are parked, stalled, or standing on the shoulder of a highway.
This bill was passed in response to the staggering number of reported fatalities—23 per year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA)—caused by drivers failing to slow down next to disabled vehicles on highways and parkways. Sadly, emergency workers and first responders make up a large portion of these deaths.
The law is currently in effect and all motorists in New York must follow it.
Penalties for violating New York’s move over laws
Move over laws are no joke in New York, and they’re uniquely stringent compared to other states when it comes to fines, fees, tickets, and points.
This is the full breakdown of what to expect when you violate New York’s move over terms:
Failure to move over | Penalties |
|---|---|
First-offense | $150 fine, 2 points, $88 or $93 surcharge |
Second offense within 18 months | $300, 2 points, $88 or $93 surcharge |
Third offense within 18 months | $450, 2 points, $88 or $93 surcharge, $300 Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee |
No matter how many offenses you have, you’ll walk away with two points on your
New York motor vehicle record
. And on top of your fine, a surcharge of $88 or $93 is added to any moving violation in the state of New York. Drivers who receive six points within 18 months are required to pay an additional Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee to the DMV, which is typically $300 for the first six points. Each subsequent point after six incurs an extra $75.
Additional penalties
With New York State Police officers vehemently enforcing these laws, they can distribute the following tickets for additional traffic violations:
- Failure to yield the right of way (3 points)
- Improper passing (3 points)
- Unsafe lane change (3 points)
- Reckless driving(5 points)
- Speeding(3-11 points depending on the speed)
If your violation comes decorated with additional offenses that will hike up the motor vehicle points on your record, a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee will be applied, too.
Violating move over laws can raise your insurance in NY
Your wallet may be hurting from just reading about New York’s move over law penalties, but it’s going to take another hit with the up to 20% insurance rate increase New York drivers can see in the wake of these offenses.
New York has a gauntlet for motor vehicle points in place for violations of this nature, which are guaranteed to spike your insurance premium. The best way to keep your insurance rates where they’re at is to stay vigilant while you’re driving and steer clear of any potential moving violations.
Why are there move over laws?
Especially in New York, the consequences of move over laws are strict—but that’s all to protect at-risk workers responding to accidents, performing road maintenance, handling sanitation, and carrying out other essential functions.
As the home of the most populous city in the U.S., New York holds a heavy responsibility to foster a safe environment for its residents. Emergency responders save lives, and these laws secure their protection from potentially fatal accidents.
FAQs
What vehicles do you have to move over for under VTL 1144-a(a)?
In New York, drivers are required to move over for the following vehicles under VLT 1144-a(a):
- Police cars
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Tow trucks
- Road maintenance vehicles
- Sanitation vehicles
In addition to these emergency vehicles, drivers must also move over one lane to the left when approaching disabled vehicles parked, stalled, or standing on highway shoulders.
Do I have to move over if the vehicle does not have its emergency lights on?
VLT 1144-a(a) states that you must move over if an emergency vehicle is displaying its lights, so while you aren’t necessarily required to move over for a vehicle that does not have its amber lights on, you should consider safely slowing down when passing these vehicles.
Is the move over law the same as failing to yield to an emergency vehicle?
No. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle applies when a driver fails to give the right of way to a police car, fire department vehicle, or ambulance. Similarly, the move over law applies when a motorist fails to move over for an emergency vehicle that is flashing its lights.
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