Moving Over For Stopped Vehicles
Transp. Code 545.157 — leave the lane, or slow to 20 under the limit
In Texas, a driver approaching one of the vehicles the section lists, unless a police officer directs otherwise, either vacates the lane closest to it, on a highway with two or more lanes going its way, or slows down.
- A stationary emergency vehicle using its visual signals.
- A stationary tow truck using its authorized lights.
- A Department of Transportation vehicle, or a highway maintenance or construction vehicle, using its signals without a channelizing device between it and the road.
- A utility service vehicle, a stationary garbage or recycling truck working beside the road, a toll project vehicle, an animal control vehicle removing an animal from the road, and a parking enforcement vehicle, each as the section describes.
| The posted limit | Slow to no more than |
|---|---|
| The posted limit25 miles per hour or more | Slow to no more than20 miles per hour less than the posted limit |
| The posted limitLess than 25 miles per hour | Slow to no more thanFive miles per hour |
A violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $1,250, and $1,000 to $2,000 for a second or later offense within five years. It is a Class A misdemeanor if it results in bodily injury to another. After a prior conviction under the section, the court may suspend the license for up to six months.
Sources for this section (1)
- Transp. Code 545.157 — Passing certain vehicles
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.