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Florida’s Move Over Act means that when you see a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, work vehicle or, since January 1, 2024, a disabled car with hazard lights, you must move out of the nearest lane. If you cannot do that safely, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit. This page also covers when you must stop for a Florida school bus, what to do when a siren comes up behind you, and the right-of-way rules for funeral processions.
Key facts
- Move over a lane, or slow to 20 mph below the limit (5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less).
- Covers emergency, sanitation, utility, tow and road maintenance vehicles, and disabled vehicles.
- Stop for a school bus showing its stop signal, in both directions, unless a 5 foot unpaved median, raised median or barrier separates you.
- For an approaching siren or flashing red or blue lights, pull to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop.
What is Florida’s move over law?
Under s. 316.126(1)(b), the rule applies when any of these is on the roadside:
- an authorized emergency vehicle with any visual signals on
- a sanitation vehicle doing sanitation work
- a utility service vehicle doing utility work
- a wrecker (tow truck) with amber lights on, doing a recovery or loading
- a road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle with warning lights, where there are no advance signs and channelizing devices
- a disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and either shows warning or hazard lights, uses flares or emergency signs, or has one or more people visibly present (in force since January 1, 2024, under ch. 2023-197)
Move over or slow down: which one?
| Road | What you must do, as soon as it is safe |
|---|---|
| Interstate or any highway with two or more lanes in your direction | Leave the lane closest to the stopped vehicle. If you cannot move over safely, slow down as below. |
| Two-lane road, posted limit 25 mph or more | Slow to 20 mph below the posted limit |
| Two-lane road, posted limit 20 mph or less | Slow to 5 mph |
A law enforcement officer’s directions override these rules.
Worked examples
- I-95, 70 mph limit, trooper stopped on the right shoulder with lights on. Signal and move to the next lane left. If traffic is too heavy to move over, slow to 50 mph.
- Two-lane county road, 45 mph limit, a car on the shoulder with hazards on. Slow to 25 mph as you pass.
- Neighborhood street, 20 mph limit, a garbage truck collecting bins. Pass at 5 mph.
What is the penalty for breaking Florida’s move over law?
- A violation of s. 316.126(1) is a noncriminal moving violation.
- The base civil penalty for violating the move over rule in s. 316.126(1)(b) is $30, plus court costs, as of November 2026 (s. 318.18(2)(d)).
- Moving violations not listed separately in the point schedule carry 3 points (s. 322.27(3)(d)8).
See the Florida points system for what points mean, especially if you are under 18.
What to do when an emergency vehicle is coming in Florida
When an emergency vehicle on its way to an emergency uses a siren or other audible signal, or flashing blue or red lights, s. 316.126(1)(a) says you must:
- Yield the right-of-way.
- Move immediately to a position parallel to, and as close as reasonable to, the closest edge of the curb of the road.
- Stay clear of any intersection.
- Stop and stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless an officer tells you otherwise.
Pedestrians must also yield until the vehicle has passed. A national version of this guide is at pulling over for ambulances, fire engines and police.
When do you have to stop for a school bus in Florida?
When a school bus displays its stop signal, s. 316.172 requires you to come to a full stop. You must not pass until the signal is withdrawn. This applies whether you are behind the bus or coming toward it, with one exception.
| Road layout | Same direction as the bus | Opposite direction |
|---|---|---|
| Two-lane road | Stop | Stop |
| Multi-lane road with no qualifying median or barrier | Stop | Stop |
| Divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier | Stop | You do not have to stop, but watch for children |
The exception needs one of the three things in the statute: an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier. A painted center turn lane is paved and is none of these.
Under s. 316.172(3), buses stop as far to the right as possible and display warning lights and stop signals before loading or unloading.
Florida school bus penalties
| Offense | Minimum penalty (as of November 2026) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Failing to stop | $200 plus $65 | 4 |
| Passing on the side children enter and exit | $400 plus $65, and a mandatory court hearing | 4 |
| Second offense within 5 years | License suspended for 180 days to 1 year | 4 |
| Causing serious bodily injury or death | $1,500, suspension of at least 1 year, 120 hours of community service in a trauma center or hospital, victim impact panel or course | 6 |
Other consequences:
- A conviction also means a required driver improvement course, which must be finished within 90 days or your license is canceled. This applies even if adjudication is withheld (s. 322.0261(4)).
- A ticket from a school bus camera carries a $200 penalty but no points, and cannot be used to set insurance rates.
Other states treat divided roads differently; compare school bus stopping laws in the US.
Funeral processions in Florida
Under s. 316.1974:
- Yield. You must yield to every vehicle in a funeral procession led by a funeral escort or lead vehicle, regardless of traffic signals or signs.
- How to spot one. Lead and escort vehicles show amber or purple lights, or red, blue or amber lights for law enforcement escorts. Procession cars have headlights and tail lights on and may use hazard lights.
- At intersections. Once the lead vehicle lawfully enters an intersection, the rest of the procession may follow through it even if the light changes.
- Limits. Procession drivers must still yield to emergency vehicles giving a signal and obey police directions.
Interfering with a procession while driving is a moving violation.
Common questions
Does Florida’s move over law apply to a broken-down car?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. It applies if the car is stopped and has hazard or warning lights on, flares or emergency signs out, or a person visibly present.
How much do I slow down if I can’t change lanes in Florida?
To 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less.
Do I have to move over for a tow truck in Florida?
Yes, if it shows amber rotating or flashing lights and is doing a recovery or loading on the roadside.
Do I stop for a school bus on the other side of a Florida divided highway?
Not if you are traveling in the opposite direction and there is an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier between you. Otherwise, yes.
Is a move over ticket a moving violation in Florida?
Yes. Subsection (1) violations of s. 316.126 are punished as moving violations.
Is the move over rule on the Florida knowledge test?
The law requires FLHSMV to include Move Over Act information in all newly printed driver license educational materials. Expect it to be in the handbook you study from; see the Florida Class E knowledge test.
For move over laws across the country, see move over laws in the US. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.
Sources
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.126, Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Senate, “CS/CS/CS/HB 425 (2023), Transportation, enrolled bill text, Chapter 2023-197” (flsenate.gov)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.172, Traffic to stop for school bus” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.1974, Funeral procession right-of-way and liability” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.18, Amount of penalties” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.19, Infractions requiring a mandatory hearing” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.27, Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.0261, Driver improvement course” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.027, Crash involving death or personal injuries” (leg.state.fl.us)