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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Indiana Move Over Law: What Drivers Need to Know
Indiana's Move Over law (IC 9-21-8-35) protects police, fire and medical crews, tow and highway workers and, since July 1, 2023, drivers stopped with their hazard lights on. Here is what the law asks you to do, which vehicles it covers, what to do when you cannot change lanes and the penalties, for drivers around Michigan City.
10 mphunder the posted limit if you cannot move over (BMV)
July 1, 2023disabled vehicles with hazards added (INDOT)
Class Ainfraction for emergency vehicles (BMV)
Up to 2 yearslicense suspension if you injure or kill an emergency worker (ISP)
The short answer
When you approach an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, an amber-light vehicle such as a tow truck or highway crew, or a disabled vehicle with its hazards on, change lanes away from it. If you cannot safely move over, slow to 10 mph under the posted speed limit and proceed with caution. Do not stop in the roadway.
What the Indiana Move Over law says
Indiana has a Move Over law (IC 9-21-8-35) that requires motorists to yield the right of way; move over to the right and come to a complete stop; or change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says.
Motorists who approach an emergency vehicle displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights must change lanes away from it. If you cannot move over, reduce your speed to 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution. The same move-over-or-slow-down rule applies to authorized parked vehicles with amber flashing lights and to disabled vehicles with flashing hazard warning signals.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), Chapter 7, Indiana's Move Over Law, read October 28, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Which vehicles the law covers
The BMV manual groups the covered vehicles this way:
| Vehicle group | Examples from the BMV manual | If you fail to move over or slow down |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vehicles (flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights) | Fire department and police vehicles, ambulances, hospital emergency vehicles, vehicles designated as emergency vehicles by INDOT, approved EMS and rescue vehicles, and Department of Correction emergency vehicles responding to an emergency | Class A infraction |
| Authorized parked vehicles (amber flashing lights) | Recovery vehicles and tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles, solid waste haulers and trash trucks, survey and construction vehicles | Class B infraction |
| Disabled vehicles | A disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard warning signals | Class B infraction |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, read October 28, 2026.
Disabled vehicles: the July 2023 change
As of July 1, 2023, Indiana's Move Over or Slow Down law was amended, INDOT says. It now requires all motorists to move over or slow down when approaching a disabled vehicle with its flashing hazard lights activated. The law originally protected only emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
INDOT adds that drivers also cannot stop, stand or park on the side of an interstate unless it is an emergency.
From INDOT, "Move Over or Slow Down," read October 28, 2026.
How to move over safely
Advice from the Indiana State Police and INDOT:
Plan ahead
Watch well ahead for police vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks and rescue equipment, highway incident-response and maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles and tow trucks (ISP).
Change lanes if it is safe
Change lanes away from the stopped vehicle if you can do so safely (ISP).
If not, slow down
Reduce your speed to 10 mph under the posted speed limit and proceed with caution. This applies on two-lane roads too, where moving over might not be possible (ISP, INDOT).
Do not stop in the road
Stopping in the roadway may cause a chain-reaction rear-end collision with other vehicles (ISP).
From the Indiana State Police, "Move Over Slow Down," and INDOT, "Move Over or Slow Down," read October 28, 2026.
Penalties for not moving over
The BMV manual lists failure to move over or slow down for an emergency vehicle as a Class A infraction, and for an amber-light vehicle or a disabled vehicle as a Class B infraction. Violating the law can result in a fine, and your license will be suspended up to 2 years if you cause damage to emergency equipment, or injury or death to an emergency worker, the Indiana State Police says.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, and the Indiana State Police, "Move Over Slow Down," read October 28, 2026. Fine amounts are not listed in these sources; this page is not legal advice.
Routine checks at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. The law covers disabled vehicles with flashing hazard lights, so use yours if you break down. The Works is a general vehicle checkup you can book any time of year.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, October 28, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana Move Over law FAQ
What does the Indiana Move Over law require?
The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says that when you approach an emergency vehicle with flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, an authorized vehicle with amber flashing lights, or a disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on, you must change lanes away from it. If you cannot move over, slow to 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution.
Does the Move Over law apply to disabled cars in Indiana?
Yes. INDOT says that as of July 1, 2023, the law requires all motorists to move over or slow down when approaching a disabled vehicle with its flashing hazard lights activated. The BMV lists failure to do so as a Class B infraction.
What if I cannot change lanes, such as on a two-lane road?
INDOT says the law applies on all Indiana roads, including two-lane roads where moving over might not be possible. In that case, or when you cannot safely change lanes on a four-lane road, slow down to 10 mph below the speed limit.
Should I stop in the road for an emergency vehicle on the shoulder?
No. The Indiana State Police says motorists should not stop in the roadway, because it may cause a chain-reaction rear-end collision. Move over, slow down, or both.
What is the penalty for violating the Move Over law in Indiana?
The BMV manual lists a Class A infraction for failing to move over or slow down for an emergency vehicle and a Class B infraction for amber-light vehicles and disabled vehicles. The ISP adds that your license can be suspended up to 2 years if you cause damage to emergency equipment, or injury or death to an emergency worker.
Which vehicles with amber lights are covered?
The BMV lists recovery vehicles and tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles, solid waste haulers and trash trucks, and survey and construction vehicles.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Move Over law details are from the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual, INDOT's Move Over or Slow Down page and the Indiana State Police Move Over Slow Down page, read October 28, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual: Chapter 7, Indiana's Move Over Law (emergency, authorized parked and disabled vehicles), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, read October 28, 2026
- Move Over or Slow Down (July 1, 2023 amendment), Indiana Department of Transportation, read October 28, 2026
- Move Over Slow Down, Indiana State Police, read October 28, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, October 28, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, October 28, 2026