Virginia Move Over: stopped warning vehicles and approaching emergencies

In Virginia, first decide whether a vehicle is stationary with warnings displayed, or an emergency vehicle approaching with its warning lights and audible signal. These situations require different actions. An ordinary car with hazard flashers can trigger the stationary-vehicle rule; you do not need to see a police or fire vehicle.

A stationary vehicle: make space when safe

Virginia Code § 46.2-861.1 covers the specified emergency and amber warning lights, plus stationary vehicles with activated hazard flashers, caution signs, or properly lit flares or torches.

The lane-change branch applies on a highway with at least four lanes total, including at least two in your direction. Proceed cautiously and, when reasonable and safe for traffic conditions, change into a lane not adjacent to the stopped vehicle. If a lane change would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution at a safe speed for highway conditions. Do not force a merge into an occupied lane. When the road offers no safe lane-change option, the response is cautious passage at a safe speed, not an abrupt swerve.

What you encounter	Action and conditions
Stationary vehicle with the emergency or specified amber warning lights covered by the law	On the qualifying four-lane/two-in-your-direction highway, move to a nonadjacent lane when reasonable and safe; otherwise pass cautiously at a safe speed
Ordinary stationary vehicle with hazards, caution signs or properly lit flares/torches	The same cautious lane-change/safe-speed duties apply; emergency-vehicle branding is not required
Approaching emergency vehicle using the required lights and audible warning	Use the separate pull-over-and-stop rule below
A highway work zone	§ 46.2-861.1 expressly excludes defined work zones; obey the applicable work-zone controls, signs and directions

Virginia’s statute uses a safe speed for conditions, not a universal “10 mph below” or “20 mph below” formula. Consider traffic, visibility, weather, available space and people beside the stopped vehicle. The manual’s safe-driving section also explains moving over for vehicles with hazards, signs or flares and slowing when a safe lane change is not possible.

An approaching emergency vehicle: clear the way and stop

Under § 46.2-829, when an emergency vehicle approaches using the specified lights and audible warning, move as quickly as traffic and highway conditions permit to the nearest roadway edge, clear of intersections, stop and remain until it passes, unless a law-enforcement officer directs otherwise.

The DMV manual describes pulling safely to the right for an emergency vehicle approaching from behind, and pulling over and stopping for one coming the other way on an undivided highway. Check mirrors, signal and create space safely. If you are already in an intersection, clear it before stopping; do not block the emergency vehicle’s path. Simply changing one lane and continuing to drive does not satisfy the approaching-vehicle stop rule.

Practice a short decision sequence

1. Identify whether the warning vehicle is stopped or approaching.
2. For a stopped vehicle, check the road and the next lane early; move away when lawful and safe, or proceed cautiously at a safe speed.
3. For an approaching emergency vehicle, find a safe roadway edge outside the intersection and stop.
4. Keep watching the surrounding traffic and follow an officer’s directions.

Violating subsection A of the stationary-vehicle law is reckless driving; subsection B violations are traffic infractions. The immediate task is to protect the people and leave usable space.

Review these distinctions with the official knowledge-test resources, and keep the separate school bus stopping rule clear in your practice.