How Do You Yield to Emergency Vehicles in Ontario?

Under section 159 of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, when you hear a siren or see the flashing lights of an approaching emergency vehicle, you must immediately pull over to the nearest right-hand edge or curb and stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you are at an intersection, do not enter it. If you are already in an intersection, clear it first, then pull over. This law applies to police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances.

Ontario's Move Over law requires drivers to slow down to 60 km/h and move over to give a full lane of space when passing stopped emergency vehicles with their lights activated. This law was expanded to include tow trucks in 2015. The vehicles covered by the Move Over law include:

Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle or violating the Move Over law carries significant penalties under the Highway Traffic Act:

On a multi-lane road, when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind, all lanes of traffic must move to the right as much as safely possible. Clear the lane the emergency vehicle needs. If you cannot move right, slow down and stop where you are. Do not slam on your brakes. Use your signal and check before changing lanes. On a divided highway, only vehicles travelling in the same direction as the emergency vehicle need to pull over.

If an emergency vehicle approaches during your G2 or G road test, the examiner will evaluate how you respond. You should signal right, check your mirrors, pull over to the right safely, and stop. Wait until the emergency vehicle has passed before signalling and re-entering traffic. Demonstrating a calm, proper response shows the examiner that you are a safe and aware driver. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle on the road test is a serious error.