Photo: artistmac, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scott’s Law is Illinois’s move over law. When you approach an emergency or roadside work vehicle with flashing lights, you must slow down and, where it is safe, change lanes away from it. Since January 1, 2026 you must also yield to these vehicles whether they are stopped or moving. This guide explains which vehicles count, what to do, and why the penalties are some of the toughest a new Illinois driver can face.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Law: 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c) and (c-5) of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
- Covers any vehicle authorized to show oscillating, rotating or flashing lights while on duty: police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, construction and highway maintenance vehicles.
- Fine: $250 to $10,000 for a first violation; $750 to $10,000 for a second or later one.
- License suspension if a violation damages another vehicle, injures someone or kills someone.
What does Scott’s Law require?
When you approach a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or emergency scene with its lights flashing:
- Reduce your speed. Ease off early so you are not braking hard next to the scene.
- Change lanes away from it if you can do so safely. On a highway with at least four lanes, two of them going your way, move into a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle.
- If you cannot change lanes, slow down further and proceed with due caution. Do not force a lane change into traffic.
The Illinois State Police sum it up as: if it’s flashing, move over. The 2026 Rules of the Road describes the lights as blue, red, amber, white or green, oscillating, rotating or flashing. It says to keep your speed down until you are safely past. Within 500 feet of an emergency scene you may not take photos or use a phone, except in certain circumstances, and you may not drive over a fire hose unless the fire official in charge permits it.
The 2026 change: stationary or not
Under subsection (c-5), from January 1, 2026, you must yield the right-of-way to any authorized emergency vehicle that is actually working on a highway and displaying flashing lights, whether it is stationary or moving. You must also yield to any pedestrian directly involved in an emergency scene, such as a firefighter or crash victim on foot.
Which vehicles does Scott’s Law cover?
An authorized emergency vehicle under Scott’s Law is any vehicle allowed by Section 12-215 of the Vehicle Code to carry oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, while its driver is on official duty. The Illinois State Police list examples:
- Police vehicles
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Tow trucks
- Construction and road repair vehicles
- Highway maintenance vehicles
The list is not complete, so treat any vehicle working at the roadside with flashing lights the same way.
What about an ordinary car with hazard lights on?
A separate section, 625 ILCS 5/11-907.5, deals with disabled vehicles showing hazard lights on highways with at least four lanes. It follows the same pattern: change lanes away if it is safe, otherwise slow down when approaching and passing, and do not speed up again until you are well past.
What are the penalties for violating Scott’s Law?
| Outcome | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First violation | $250 to $10,000 fine |
| Second or later violation | $750 to $10,000 fine |
| Damage to another vehicle | License suspended 90 days to 1 year; Class A misdemeanor |
| Another person injured | License suspended 180 days to 2 years; Class 4 felony |
| A death | License suspended 2 years; Class 4 felony |
For a teen driver, a Scott’s Law conviction also counts toward the under-21 rules on repeat moving violations. See Illinois traffic tickets, court supervision and suspension for young drivers.
Why it is called Scott’s Law
The law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while helping at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Scenario: a squad car on the shoulder
You are in the right lane of a four-lane expressway. Ahead, a police car with flashing lights is stopped on the right shoulder behind another car.
- Check your mirror and blind spot early.
- If the left lane is clear, signal and move over well before you reach the scene.
- If the left lane is busy, stay in your lane, slow down clearly and pass with extra care.
- Do not stop in the lane or swerve late. Do not look at the scene for long; keep your eyes on the road ahead.
How Scott’s Law fits into your Illinois tests
Emergency vehicles and right-of-way rules are part of the Illinois Rules of the Road, so expect questions on them in the Illinois permit test. On the Illinois road test, failing to yield to or slow for an emergency vehicle is a traffic violation, which is the kind of error that ends a test.
Common questions
Do I have to move over for a tow truck in Illinois?
Yes. Tow trucks are among the vehicles the Illinois State Police list as covered when they are working with flashing lights.
What if I can’t move over safely?
Slow down and proceed with due caution. The law does not require an unsafe lane change.
Does Scott’s Law apply on two-lane roads?
The lane-change option applies on highways with at least four lanes, two in your direction. On any road, you must still slow down and proceed with caution, and since 2026 you must yield to working emergency vehicles with flashing lights.
How much is a Scott’s Law ticket?
At least $250 for a first violation and up to $10,000. A second or later violation starts at $750.
Can I lose my license for a Scott’s Law violation?
Yes, if the violation damages another vehicle (90 days to 1 year), injures someone (180 days to 2 years) or kills someone (2 years).
Is this the same as pulling over for a siren?
No. Pulling to the right and stopping for an approaching emergency vehicle with a siren is a separate rule. See pulling over for ambulances, fire engines and police.
Related: learning to drive in Illinois and move over laws across the US.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapters 4, 5 and 8 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois State Police, “Move Over Law” (isp.illinois.gov)
- Illinois State Police, “Scott’s Law: The Move Over Law” leaflet ISP 1-163, 12/25 (isp.illinois.gov)
- Illinois General Assembly, “625 ILCS 5/11-907 Operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles” (ilga.gov)
- Illinois General Assembly, “625 ILCS 5/11-907.5” (ilga.gov)