'No Trucks in the Left Lane' Laws by State
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed December 04, 2018
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If you’ve ever been stuck behind an 18-wheeler in the left lane of the freeway, you may have wondered whether or not there were laws against big trucks driving in the fast lane. In fact, there are laws against such a practice. However, these laws vary by state and even by city in some areas. Some states restrict which lanes trucks can use, while others have lane restrictions for all types of vehicles. Read on to learn more about which states prohibit trucks from the left lane, and which have more general lane restriction laws.
Types of Lane Restrictions
While most states don’t have statewide laws prohibiting trucks from the left lane, all states regulate the use of the left lane in some way. States that do single out big trucks prohibit them from the left lane altogether, or only allow use in certain circumstances. States also provide different definitions for what constitutes a “truck,” with some counting axels and others specifying weight limits or vehicle descriptions.
Other states require all vehicles to stay out of the left lane except to pass another vehicle. Many states’ laws say that you must stay in the right lanes if you’re driving slower than either the normal or legal rate of speed, unless you’re passing someone or making a legal left turn. And all states specify the penalties and fines you’ll face for violating these laws.
It’s important to note, however, that even if there’s no statewide law prohibiting trucks from using the left lane, local governments may impose these restrictions on certain roadways and highways, and you must obey any traffic control devices restricting lane travel. Also, since states are constantly reassessing these laws, they may have recently changed in your state. Therefore, it’s best to consult with a local attorney who can advise you on any recent changes.
Breaking Down State ‘No Trucks in the Left Lane’ Laws
The table below lists lane restriction laws and whom they apply to, as well as potential fines (not including court costs and other charges) for violating these laws.
Lane Restrictions |
Applies to |
Penalties |
State Codes and Statutes |
|
Alabama |
Must drive in right-hand lane if driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing another vehicle or turning left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: up to $100 or 10 days’ jail 2nd offense in 1 year: up to $200 and/or 30 days’ jail 3rd or subsequent offense in 1 year: up to $500 and/or 3 months’ jail |
|
Alaska |
Must drive in right lane if driving slower than speed limit, except to pass another vehicle or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine up to $300 |
§13 AAC 02.050(b); 13 AAC 03.050(b); 13 AAC 03.085; 28.90.010(c) |
Arizona |
Must drive in right lane if driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass another vehicle or turn left. Certain vehicles over 26,000 lbs. (or if pulling pole trailer over 6,000 lbs.) must use specific lanes if designated to do so by local authority. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $250 |
|
Arkansas |
Prohibited from using farthest left lane on designated six-lane interstate highways. |
Vehicles with more than two axels. |
Fine of up to $100 |
|
California |
Must use lane(s) designated by signs. If no designated lane, must use right-hand lane. May use second-to-right-hand lane if there are four or more lanes. To pass, must use designated lane, second-to-right lane, or right lane. |
Motor trucks; truck tractors with three or more axles; truck tractors trailing another vehicle |
1st offense: up to $100 2nd offense in 1 year: up to $200 3rd offense in 1 year: up to $250 |
|
Colorado |
Must drive in right lane if driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass another vehicle or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $100 |
|
Connecticut |
Prohibited from far-left lane on designated highways with more than two lanes. All vehicles driving at less than normal speed of traffic must use right-hand lane except when passing or turning left. |
Operators of vehicles with commercial registration, motor bus, trailer, or school bus |
Fine of $88 |
|
Delaware |
Must use right-hand lane if driving at less than normal speed of traffic except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: $25-$75 Subsequent offenses within 12 months: $57.50-$95 |
|
District of Columbia |
N/A |
|||
Florida |
Must use right-hand lane if driving at less than normal speed of traffic except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $60 |
|
Georgia |
Trucks must use designated lanes. |
Vehicles with more than six wheels, except buses and motor coaches |
Varies by location |
|
Hawaii |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: up to $200 2nd offense in 1 year: up to $300 3rd offense in 1 year: up to $500 |
|
Idaho |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $300 |
|
Illinois |
May not drive in left lane, except when passing another vehicle (other exceptions apply). |
All vehicles |
Varies by location but no more than $1,000 |
|
Indiana |
Must use far right lane (or two right lanes if three or more lanes available) on interstate highways except to pass, enter or exit a highway, or avoid special hazard. |
Trucks, truck tractors, road tractors, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers. |
Fine of up to $500 if ticket is contested |
|
Iowa |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $100 |
|
Kansas |
May not drive in left lane, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $75 |
|
Kentucky |
May not drive in left lane of any limited access highway of four or more lanes with a speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour, except to pass, yield to traffic entering highway, or when unsafe to use right lanes. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $20-$100 |
|
Louisiana |
May not use left-hand lane except to turn left, pass, or when right lanes are congested. May not impede another vehicle driving in left lane. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: Fine of up to $175 or up to 30 days’ imprisonment Subsequent offense: up to $500 or up to 90 days’ imprisonment |
|
Maine |
Must use right lane on limited-access ways with speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour, except to pass. |
All vehicles |
Fine between $25 and $500 $137 if uncontested |
|
Maryland |
Must use right lane when going slower than normal speed of traffic or 10 miles below speed limit, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $500 |
|
Massachusetts |
Must use far-right lane. May use next adjacent lane for passing. May not use other lanes except in emergency. All vehicles must stay to the right except when passing or turning left. |
Commercial vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tons, used to transport goods, wares, and merchandise |
Fine of up to $100 |
|
Michigan |
Must use two right lanes on freeways with three or more lanes, except to turn left or where a special hazard exists. |
Trucks with gross weight over 10,000 pounds, truck tractors, or combination of vehicle and trailer or semitrailer |
Fine of up to $250 |
|
Minnesota |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass, turn left, or when a specific lane is designated. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $300 |
|
Mississippi |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $100 |
|
Missouri |
May not use left-hand lane on interstate highways, freeways, or expressways within urbanized areas of the state having three or more lanes. |
Trucks weighing more than 48,000 pounds used to transport property; motor vehicles designed or used for carrying freight, merchandise, or more than eight passengers, but not including vanpools or shuttle buses |
Varies by location |
|
Montana |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: fine of $10-$100 2nd offense in 1 year: $25-$200 3rd offense in 1 year: $50-$500 |
|
Nebraska |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: fine up to $100 2nd offense in 1 year: up to $200 3rd offense in 1 year: up to $300 |
|
Nevada |
Must drive in right lane if driving so slow as to impede forward movement of traffic behind driver. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: $50 2nd offense: $100 3rd offense: $250 |
|
New Hampshire |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Not more than $1,000 As of 1/1/2016: |
|
New Jersey |
May not drive in far left-hand lane of roadway with three or more lanes, except for up to one mile before a left-hand turn, to enter or exit roadway, or due to emergency conditions |
Trucks of at least 10,000 pounds registered gross weight |
Fine of $50-$200, imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both |
|
New Mexico |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $10 |
|
New York |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. Must use lanes designated by traffic-control devices. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: Fine of up to $150 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 days 2nd offense in 18 months: Up to $300 and/or imprisonment for up to 45 days Subsequent offense in 18 months: Up to $450 and or imprisonment for up to 90 days |
|
North Carolina |
May not drive slower than speed limit in left lane when doing so impedes traffic, except to turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $100 |
|
North Dakota |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $20 |
|
Ohio |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than prevailing and lawful speed of traffic, except to pass, turn left, or continue on route. |
All vehicles and trackless trolleys |
Fines vary |
|
Oklahoma |
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than the normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. May not impede traffic by driving slower than maximum posted speed in left lane of four-lane roadway (effective until 11/1/2017). |
All vehicles |
Fine of $5-$500 or imprisonment for up to 10 days |
|
Oregon |
Must drive in right lane of all roadways with two or more lanes, except to pass (without interfering with passage of other vehicles), turn left, respond to emergency conditions, avoid merging traffic, or to obey traffic control devices. |
Any camper, vehicle with a trailer, vehicle with registration weight of 10,000 pounds or more |
Fine of not more than $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for corporations |
§59-811.325; 14-153.018 |
Pennsylvania |
May not drive in left-hand lane of limited access highway with three or more lanes, except to turn left. |
Vehicle or combination over 10,000 pounds |
Fine of $25 |
|
Rhode Island |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Find of $85 |
|
South Carolina |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fines vary |
|
South Dakota |
Must drive as closely as possible to right-hand edge of highway when driving a slow-moving vehicle, except to pass. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both |
|
Tennessee |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $50, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both Signage violation: fine of up to $50 |
|
Texas |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $1-$200 |
|
Utah |
May not use left lane of freeway with at least three lanes, except to turn left, exit, avoid merging traffic, respond to emergency conditions, or follow direction signs |
Vehicle drawing trailer or semitrailer; vehicle or combination of vehicles with gross weight of 12,001 or more pounds |
Fine of up to $750 ($1,000 for corporation, associations, partnerships, and governmental instrumentalities) |
|
Vermont |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $1,000 |
|
Virginia |
May not drive in left lane of any interstate highway with more than two lanes where posted speed limit is at least 65 miles per hour. |
Commercial motor vehicles (defined in 46.2-341.4), except buses, school buses, or vehicles performing maintenance or construction work on interstate highway. |
Fine of up to $750 |
|
Washington |
May not use left lane of a limited access roadway with three or more lanes, except to turn left. |
Vehicles or combinations weighing more than 10,000 pounds |
Fine of up to $250 |
|
West Virginia |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except when passing or turning left. |
All vehicles |
1st offense: Fine of up to $100 2nd offense in one year: Fine of up to $200 Subsequent offense: Fine of up to $500 |
|
Wisconsin |
Must drive in right lane of three-lane highway, except to pass, turn left, make U-turn, or obey signs. |
All vehicles |
Fine of $30-$300 |
|
Wyoming |
Must drive in right hand lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left. |
All vehicles |
Fine of up to $750 |
Learn More About Laws Prohibiting Trucks Using the Left Lane from a Local Attorney
Between all the different state laws, not to mention local ordinances and regulations, it's nearly impossible to know all the rules of the road you're supposed to follow at any given moment. However, whether you understand them or not, violating these laws can result in significant consequences if you receive a ticket or are involved in an accident. Additionally, if you were injured in an accident by the driver of a car or truck violating a left lane law, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. To find out more, contact an experienced car accident attorney near you today.
Next Steps
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