How much is a Move Over Law ticket in Georgia?

The maximum fine for violating Georgia's Move Over Law is $500. However, with court costs, fees, license points, and insurance premium increases, the true cost can be significantly higher.

Do you have to move over for tow trucks in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia's Move Over Law covers tow trucks, recovery vehicles, and wreckers tending to an accident scene, as long as they are displaying flashing lights.

What happens if you don't move over for emergency vehicles in Georgia?

Failing to move over or slow down for a stationary emergency vehicle is a violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16, punishable by a fine of up to $500. If the violation causes injury or death, additional criminal charges — including vehicular homicide — may apply.

Is the Move Over Law a felony in Georgia?

A standard Move Over Law violation is a misdemeanor traffic offense. However, if a violation results in serious injury or death, prosecutors can file felony charges such as serious injury by vehicle or vehicular homicide.

Can you fight a Move Over Law ticket?

Yes. Common defenses include proving that a lane change was unsafe or impossible, that the vehicle was not one covered by the statute, or that the vehicle's lights were not flashing. An attorney can help evaluate your specific situation.

Does a Move Over Law violation add points to your license?

Yes. A Move Over Law conviction can add points to your Georgia driving record. Accumulating 15 points within 24 months can result in license suspension.

Georgia's Move Over Law: What Every Driver Needs to Know

If you've ever driven past a police cruiser on the shoulder and wondered whether you're supposed to move over — the answer is yes, and Georgia law takes it seriously. Georgia's Move Over Law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16) requires drivers to change lanes or significantly reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and utility vehicles displaying flashing lights.

With enforcement campaigns like Operation Southern Slow Down bringing heightened patrols across Georgia right now, more drivers are receiving Move Over Law citations — and many don't even realize they've broken a law.

This guide covers what you need to know about Georgia's Move Over Law, including:

What the Move Over Law requires and who it protects
Move Over Law fines and penalties in Georgia
How Operation Southern Slow Down is changing enforcement
What to do if you receive a Move Over Law ticket
How Move Over Law violations connect to car accident cases

What Is Georgia's Move Over Law?

Georgia's Move Over Law, codified at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16, was enacted to protect first responders, utility workers, and roadside assistance personnel from being struck by passing vehicles while working on the shoulder of a highway. The law requires drivers approaching a stationary authorized vehicle displaying flashing lights to do one of two things:

Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle, if it is safe and possible to do so, or
Reduce speed below the posted limit and be prepared to stop, if a lane change is impossible, prohibited, or unsafe.

What Vehicles Are Covered?

The Move Over Law applies to stationary vehicles displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights, including:

Police vehicles and law enforcement
Fire trucks
Ambulances and EMS vehicles
Tow trucks and recovery vehicles
Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) vehicles
Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Units
Utility vehicles (electric, gas, water, telecommunications)
Wreckers tending to an accident scene

Utility linemen were added to the law in 2016 through House Bill 767, which expanded protections beyond traditional first responders (Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety).

Why the Law Exists

According to FBI statistics, traffic crashes are the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement officers — more than shootings. Emergency responders of all types have been struck while parked on Georgia highways, even with their emergency lights flashing. The Move Over Law was created to establish a buffer zone that keeps roadside workers alive.

Move Over Law Fines and Penalties in Georgia

Violating Georgia's Move Over Law carries consequences that go beyond the ticket itself. The full text of the statute is available through Justia's Georgia Code § 40-6-16. Here's what you face if cited:

Maximum fine: Up to $500 per violation
License points: Points may be assessed on your driving record
Insurance impact: A Move Over Law conviction can raise your insurance premiums
Aggravating circumstances: If a violation causes injury or death, additional criminal charges may apply

The base fine may seem manageable, but the downstream costs — points on your license, insurance rate hikes, and potential license suspension if points accumulate — make it critical to understand your options. This is similar to how Georgia's Super Speeder Law layers additional fees on top of standard speeding tickets.

Operation Southern Slow Down: Heightened Enforcement in Georgia

If you're driving in Georgia in July 2026, you need to know about Operation Southern Slow Down — a multi-state enforcement campaign running July 14–20, 2026 across Georgia, South Carolina, and other southeastern states.

The campaign, coordinated by the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and state patrol agencies, deploys increased patrols targeting speeding, reckless driving, Move Over Law violations, and failure to yield to emergency vehicles. According to Fox5 Atlanta and WTOC, law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting concentrated traffic enforcement to reduce speed-related crashes and fatalities.

What this means for you: During enforcement waves like Operation Southern Slow Down, Move Over Law citations increase significantly. A ticket you might not have received during routine patrols is far more likely during a coordinated crackdown. The Georgia State Patrol has confirmed that troopers will be specifically watching for drivers who fail to move over for stopped emergency vehicles.

How Move Over Law Violations Affect Car Accident Cases

As personal injury attorneys, we frequently see cases where Move Over Law violations play a critical role — not for the driver who was cited, but for the victims of crashes caused by drivers who failed to follow the law.

When a Move Over Law Violation Causes an Accident

If a driver fails to move over or slow down and strikes a first responder, tow truck operator, utility worker, or another vehicle, that violation can be used as evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a driver who is found at fault for failing to obey traffic laws can be held financially responsible for injuries and damages they cause. This is closely related to how distracted driving and other traffic violations establish liability in injury cases.

If You Were Injured by a Move Over Law Violator

If you or a loved one was injured by a driver who failed to move over or slow down, take these steps:

Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor. Knowing how to gather medical evidence after an accident strengthens your case.
Document the scene — take photos of vehicle positions, road conditions, and any emergency vehicles present
Obtain the police report — the citing officer's report is critical evidence. Follow our guide on what to do after a car accident for a complete checklist.
Preserve witness information — bystander testimony can confirm the other driver's failure to move over
Contact a personal injury attorney — an experienced lawyer can help establish negligence and pursue compensation. We also recommend learning how to handle insurance companies after an accident to protect your claim.

What to Do If You Receive a Move Over Law Ticket

If you've been cited for violating Georgia's Move Over Law, you have options:

Don't Just Pay the Fine

Paying the fine is an admission of guilt, which means the points go on your license and your insurance company will see the conviction. Before paying, consider whether the citation was justified — Did you have room to move over? Were the emergency vehicle's lights actually flashing? Was the vehicle one covered by the law? If you couldn't change lanes but reduced your speed below the limit, you may have a defense.

When to Consult an Attorney

A traffic attorney can evaluate whether the citation can be reduced or dismissed, potentially saving you points, insurance increases, and long-term consequences. If a Move Over Law violation resulted in an accident — whether you were cited or injured by someone else's violation — speaking with a personal injury attorney is essential.