Left Lane Laws: Which Roads Are Affected?

Driving in the left lane is a common cause of frustration for many people on the road. While it is often referred to as the fast lane, the left lane is more correctly known as the 'passing lane'. This is because speed limits apply equally to all lanes, and the primary role of the left lane is to provide space for drivers to pass slower vehicles. All states in the US have laws regarding the position of slower-moving traffic, but these differ in the details. While some states require traffic moving slower than the normal speed of traffic to keep right, other states are more restrictive, prohibiting the use of the left lane except for passing or turning left. Understanding and obeying the specific left lane laws in your state is essential for safe and courteous driving.

Fines for breaking left lane laws

Left lane laws vary across the United States, with only North Dakota having no restrictions on left lane driving. In most states, the left lane is a "passing lane" or "fast lane", and driving in the left lane when not passing or turning is illegal.

• Alabama: Fines can reach up to $200.
• Alaska: Fines of up to $500.
• Arizona: Fines of $50.
• Arkansas: Fines of up to $195.
• California: Fines of up to $238 and one point added to the driver's DMV record.
• Colorado: Fines of $41.20.
• Connecticut: Fines of up to $90 and one point added to the driver's license.
• Delaware: Fines of $25-$75 for first-time offenders, and $57.50-$95 for second-time and subsequent offenders.
• District of Columbia: Fines of $100.
• Florida: Fines of $75 and three points added to the driver's license.
• Georgia: Fines of up to $1,000.
• Hawaii: No explicit penalty, but left lane driving is discouraged.
• Idaho: Fines of $90.
• Illinois: Fines of $120.
• Indiana: Fines of up to $500 and points added to the driver's license.
• Iowa: Fines vary depending on local ordinances.
• Kansas: Fines of $60.
• Kentucky: Fines of $20-$100.
• Louisiana: Fines of up to $100, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both.
• Maine: Fines of at least $275.
• Maryland: Fines of $75 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense, and $250 for the third or subsequent offense.
• Massachusetts: Fines of $100.
• Michigan: Fines and two points added to the driver's record.
• Minnesota: Fines of $50 plus $75 in court costs.
• Mississippi: Fines of $5-$50.
• Missouri: Fines of $80.50 for improper passing.
• Montana: No specific penalty, but may be interpreted as obstructing the flow of traffic, leading to court-determined fines.
• Nebraska: No defined penalty, but may be interpreted as disrupting the flow of traffic, leading to court-determined fines.
• Nevada: Fines of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $150 for the third offense.
• New Hampshire: Fines of $50 or more, plus points on the driver's license.
• New Jersey: Fines of $86-$141 and two points added to the driver's record.
• New Mexico: No explicit penalty, but may be interpreted as obstructing the flow of traffic, leading to court-determined fines.
• New York: Fines of up to $75.
• North Carolina: Fines of $25, or up to $100 if House Bill 784 passes.
• North Dakota: Fines of $20 or more, plus points on the driver's license.
• Ohio: A misdemeanor offence with two points added to the driver's record.
• Oklahoma: Fines of $235.
• Oregon: Fines of $270.
• Pennsylvania: Fines of up to $100.
• Rhode Island: Fines of up to $85.
• South Carolina: Fines of up to $100.
• South Dakota: A Class 2 misdemeanour punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
• Tennessee: A Class C misdemeanour punishable by a $50 fine.
• Texas: Fines of up to $200.
• Utah: Fines of up to $130.
• Vermont: Fines of at least $200.
• Virginia: Fines of $100.
• Washington: Fines of $136.
• West Virginia: Fines of up to $100 for the first conviction, up to $200 for the second conviction, and up to $500 for third or subsequent convictions.
• Wisconsin: Fines of $214 and four points added to the driver's license.
• Wyoming: Fines of up to $750 and/or up to six months in jail.

Exceptions to left lane laws

Exceptions to left-lane laws vary from state to state. In some states, left-lane driving is prohibited unless the driver is passing slower traffic or turning left. Other states allow left-lane driving unless the driver is blocking another car in the process of passing.

• In Georgia, exceptions to the left-lane law include traffic congestion, inclement weather, obstructions, hazards, traffic control devices, exiting, turning left, paying a toll, emergency vehicles, highway maintenance, and construction operations.
• In Texas, drivers are allowed to use the left lane when passing another vehicle, when an obstruction necessitates moving to the left, when driving on a roadway divided into three marked lanes, or when driving on a one-way roadway.
• In Florida, exceptions to the left-lane law include passing, overtaking, obstructions, hazards, turning left, and one-way streets.
• In Arizona, drivers are permitted to use the left lane when overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn at an intersection, or entering a private road or driveway.
• In Colorado, exceptions to the left-lane law include passing, preparing for a left turn, or when necessary for safety reasons.
• In Delaware, drivers can use the left lane for overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, entering a private road or driveway, or complying with other regulations.
• In Illinois, drivers can use the left lane when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or when the right side of the road is closed off for repairs.
• In Indiana, exceptions to the left-lane law include overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or when the right side of the road is closed for construction or other reasons.
• In Wisconsin, drivers can use the left lane when overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or when an obstruction makes it necessary to drive in the left lane.

States with left lane laws

Almost all states in the US have left-lane driving laws, which make it illegal to drive in the left lane when not passing or turning. The only exception is North Dakota, which has no restrictions against left-lane driving.

The left-lane law seems to be a trend in the nation's Southern states, with Indiana and Georgia enacting their own slowpoke laws in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

• Alabama: Fines can reach up to $200.
• Alaska: Fines up to $500.
• Arizona: $50 fine.
• Arkansas: $195 fine.
• California: $238 fine and one point added to the driver's DMV record.
• Colorado: $41.20 fine.
• Connecticut: $90 fine and one point added to the driver's license.
• Delaware: $25-$75 for first-time offenders, $57.50-$95 for subsequent offenders.
• District of Columbia: $100 fine.
• Florida: $75 fine and three points added to the driver's license.
• Georgia: Fine up to $1,000.
• Hawaii: No explicit penalty, but left-lane driving is discouraged.
• Idaho: $90 fine.
• Illinois: $120 fine.
• Indiana: Fine up to $500 and points added to the license.
• Iowa: Fines vary depending on local ordinances.
• Kansas: $60 fine.
• Kentucky: $20-$100 fine.
• Louisiana: Fine up to $100, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both.
• Maine: Fine of at least $275.
• Maryland: $75 for the first offense, $150 for the second, and $250 for subsequent offenses.
• Massachusetts: $100 fine.
• Michigan: Fine and two points added to the driver's record.
• Minnesota: $50 fine plus $75 in court costs.
• Mississippi: $5-$50 fine.
• Missouri: $80.50 fine for improper passing.
• Montana: No specific penalty, but may be construed as obstructing traffic flow and result in court-determined fines.
• Nebraska: No defined penalty, but may be interpreted as disrupting traffic flow and incur court-determined penalties.
• Nevada: $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $150 for the third.
• New Hampshire: $50 or more in fines, plus points on the license.
• New Jersey: $86-$141 fine and two points on the driving record.
• New Mexico: No explicit penalty, but may be seen as obstructing traffic flow and result in court-determined fines.
• New York: Fine up to $75.
• North Carolina: $25 fine, up to $100 if House Bill 784 passes.
• North Dakota: $20 or more in fines, plus points on the license.
• Ohio: Misdemeanor with two points on the driver's traffic record.
• Oklahoma: $235 fine.
• Oregon: $270 fine.
• Pennsylvania: Fine up to $100.
• Rhode Island: Fine up to $85.
• South Carolina: Fine up to $100.
• South Dakota: Up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
• Tennessee: $50 fine.
• Texas: Fine up to $200.
• Utah: Fine up to $130.
• Vermont: Fine of at least $200.
• Virginia: $100 fine.
• Washington: $136 fine.
• West Virginia: Up to $100 fine for the first conviction, up to $200 for the second, and up to $500 for subsequent convictions.
• Wisconsin: $214 fine and four points on the license.
• Wyoming: Fine up to $750 and/or up to six months in jail.

Dangers of left lane driving

Left lane driving can be dangerous for several reasons. Here are some of the key dangers associated with driving in the left lane:

• Increased Risk of Accidents: Driving just 5 mph slower than other vehicles on the highway in the left lane increases the risk of accidents as faster drivers may attempt risky manoeuvres to pass. This can lead to sudden lane changes, sudden braking, or swerving, which can result in rear-end collisions or rollovers.
• Unnecessary Lane Changes: When slower drivers occupy the left lane, it forces faster drivers to weave between lanes to pass, creating more opportunities for accidents.
• Road Rage: Left lane driving is considered one of the top behaviours that irritate other drivers and can lead to road rage.
• Bottleneck Effect: Slower drivers in the left lane can create a bottleneck effect, forcing other drivers to slow down or change lanes to pass, leading to traffic congestion and increased travel times.
• Aggressive Behaviour: Frustrated drivers may engage in aggressive or reckless behaviour, such as passing on the shoulder or in an illegal manner, posing a danger to themselves and others.
• Increased Fuel Consumption and Emissions: The stop-and-go traffic caused by left lane cruisers can lead to increased fuel consumption and excessive emissions.
• Legal Consequences: Driving slowly in the left lane is illegal in most states and can result in fines, points on your driver's license, or even jail time.
• Stress and Delays: Occupying the left lane when not passing can increase stress levels for other drivers and cause unpredictable travel times.
• Reduced Traffic Flow: Slower driving in the left lane can decrease the average driving speed on the highway, leading to traffic backups and disruptions.

To promote safety and efficient traffic flow, it's important for drivers to follow the "keep right except to pass" rule and allow faster drivers to utilise the left lane for passing.

How to avoid breaking left lane laws

Left lane laws vary across the United States, but there are some general principles to follow to avoid breaking them. Firstly, it's important to understand that the left lane is typically known as the "passing lane" rather than the "fast lane". This means that its primary purpose is to allow drivers to pass slower-moving vehicles travelling in the right lane. Therefore, if you're not actively passing another vehicle, you should keep to the right lane.

• In Alabama, drivers must keep to the right unless passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn. Fines for driving in the left lane can reach up to $200.
• In Alaska, drivers are required to keep right if they are travelling slower than the normal speed of traffic. Exceptions include passing, preparing for a left turn, or when necessary for safety. Violations can result in a fine of up to $500.
• Arizona requires drivers to keep right on multi-lane roadways, except when overtaking, passing, or preparing for a left turn. Violating this law can result in a $50 fine.
• Arkansas has a "Keep Right" law, which means drivers should only use the left lane for overtaking and passing. Violations can result in a fine of up to $195.
• In California, drivers travelling slower than the normal speed of traffic should use the right-hand lane. Violations can lead to a fine of up to $238 and one point on the driver's DMV record.
• Colorado drivers should stay in the right lane if they are travelling slower than the normal speed of traffic, except when passing, preparing for a left turn, or when necessary for safety. Violations may result in a fine of $41.20.
• In Connecticut, drivers must keep to the right unless overtaking, passing, or preparing for a left turn. Driving continuously in the left lane may result in a fine of up to $90 and one point added to the driver's license.
• Delaware law requires slower drivers to keep to the right, except when overtaking, passing, preparing for a left turn, entering a private road or driveway, or complying with other regulations. Violations can result in a fine of $25 to $75 for first-time offenders, and $57.50 to $95 for subsequent offences.
• In the District of Columbia, drivers travelling slower than the normal speed of traffic must keep to the right. Exceptions include passing, preparing for a left turn, or when necessary for safety. Violating this rule can result in a $100 fine.
• Florida law prohibits staying in the left lane unless passing, overtaking, encountering obstructions, hazards, turning left, or driving on a one-way street. Violations can result in a fine of $75 or more and three points on the driver's license.
• In Georgia, slow

Frequently asked questions