Last Updated on July 29, 2026 by J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC
Nebraska tow truck drivers rely on the state’s Move Over Law for more room to work safely. On a controlled-access highway, a driver approaching an occupied stopped vehicle on the same side of the road must move at least one lane away when it is safe and possible. If a lane change is not possible, the driver must slow down, maintain a safe speed, and proceed with care.
For Nebraska tow truck drivers, this rule is more than a traffic reminder. It helps protect operators who recover disabled vehicles beside fast-moving traffic. It also supports the safety practices that insurers review when they evaluate a tow truck operation.
What Nebraska Tow Truck Drivers Should Know About the Move Over Law
Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,378 explains what approaching drivers must do on a controlled-access highway. When the stopped vehicle is on the same side of the highway, motorists must use due care and caution.
- Move into a lane at least one moving lane away when another lane is available and the change can be made safely.
- Reduce speed and maintain a safe speed when moving over is not reasonably possible.
- Proceed carefully and follow directions from police, emergency personnel, or authorized road assistance personnel.
Weather, road conditions, nearby traffic, and pedestrians can make a lane change unsafe. In that situation, the law does not tell a driver to force the move. Instead, the driver must slow down and pass with care. The rule does not apply when a stopped vehicle is unoccupied and no one is in or near it.
Nebraska Expanded the Rule in 2025
The current Nebraska Move Over Law is broader than the version many drivers remember. A 2025 change extended the controlled-access highway rule to occupied stopped vehicles on the same side of the road. As a result, the protection no longer depends only on whether the stopped vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a roadside assistance vehicle.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation summarizes the requirement as moving over or, when that is not possible, slowing to a safe speed and proceeding with care. NDOT also notes that the rule applies to stopped vehicles and vulnerable road users. This broader approach creates a safer buffer for tow operators, motorists, responders, and maintenance crews.
Under the statute, most violations are traffic infractions. A second or later violation within five years is a Class IIIA misdemeanor. Drivers should review the official statute for the current legal language and follow any instructions given at the scene.
Why the Move Over Law Matters to Nebraska Tow Truck Drivers
Tow truck drivers often work only a few feet from an active travel lane. Darkness, snow, wind, glare, and distracted motorists can reduce the time available to react. A single passing vehicle can turn a routine service call into a serious crash.
The Nebraska Move Over Law cannot remove every roadside danger. However, it gives passing motorists a clear duty and gives tow operators a stronger safety zone. Operators should still position the truck carefully, use warning lights correctly, wear high-visibility clothing, and remain alert to traffic throughout the recovery.
Dispatch procedures matter as well. Before a driver arrives, the dispatcher should gather the vehicle location, road direction, shoulder condition, and traffic hazards. That information helps the operator choose a safer approach and request law-enforcement support when the scene requires it.
Build the Law Into Your Roadside Safety Plan
A written roadside plan helps drivers make sound decisions under pressure. Start with clear rules for vehicle positioning, warning devices, reflective clothing, and communication. Then train drivers to reassess the scene whenever traffic, weather, or visibility changes.
Operators should avoid standing between vehicles whenever possible. They should also keep an escape route in mind while they connect equipment or load a disabled vehicle. If the shoulder is too narrow or traffic is too close, the driver should pause and ask for additional traffic control rather than rush the job.
Document training and review near misses with the team. These records can reveal repeat hazards, such as poor lighting or weak dispatch instructions. In addition, they show that the company treats roadside safety as an ongoing process.
Insurance for Nebraska Tow Truck Drivers
Following the Nebraska Move Over Law does not replace insurance. It reduces one source of risk while the policy handles the financial exposures that remain. A complete tow truck insurance program may combine several coverages based on the business, equipment, contracts, and vehicles handled.
Commercial auto liability can address covered injuries or property damage caused by an insured tow truck. Physical damage insurance can help protect the company’s own truck from covered collision and comprehensive losses. On-hook towing coverage can protect a customer’s vehicle while it is being towed, while garagekeepers coverage may apply when customer vehicles are stored at the company’s location. General liability can address certain business risks that do not arise from operating a covered vehicle.
Coverage terms, limits, exclusions, and deductibles vary by carrier. Therefore, operators should review the policy with an agent who understands towing operations. The goal is to match coverage to the work the company actually performs, not simply to buy the lowest-priced option.
Can Better Safety Help Control Insurance Costs?
Insurers consider more than one roadside practice when they price coverage. They may review driver history, prior claims, equipment, service area, training, vehicle storage, and the types of vehicles towed. Still, a strong safety program can help a business reduce preventable losses and present a more organized risk to an underwriter.
Teach every driver what the Nebraska Move Over Law requires, but do not rely on passing motorists to obey it. Defensive positioning and consistent procedures remain essential. When a near miss occurs, record what happened and use it to improve future calls.
Review Your Nebraska Tow Truck Coverage
J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC helps Nebraska tow truck drivers compare coverage for roadside operations, trucks, and customer vehicles. We also help commercial operators evaluate their broader Nebraska commercial truck insurance needs.
If your operation has added trucks, changed services, hired drivers, or experienced a claim, it may be time for a policy review. Contact J.E.B. Insurance with your questions, or request a free quote for your towing business.
