Commercial Trucks on the Left Lane

Every driver has experienced frustration at the sight of a large truck driving recklessly, speeding, or slowing down traffic on the highway. The danger of recklessness is magnified with a large truck because their size and weight mean an accident is more likely to produce fatalities or a serious truck accident injury.

Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows an annual average of 510,000 large truck crashes, resulting in 4,479 deaths and 114,000 injuries. A semi-truck following unsafe driving practices creates a serious danger for other vehicles. 

Left Lane Driving Restrictions

Many states have passed laws that prohibit trucks from driving in the left lane of multi-lane highways. It can be difficult to know what those laws are, as they vary from state to state. Also, states provide different definitions for what a “truck” is. In their laws, some specify the weight of a vehicle, a description, or even an axle count.

One other thing to keep in mind is that, even if a state doesn’t have laws prohibiting left-lane use by trucks, local governments can impose these restrictions. 

Talking to a local attorney familiar with the laws in their area can get you the information you need. Involving a lawyer becomes even more important if you’ve sustained a motor vehicle injury that involved a truck.

No Trucks Allowed in the Left Lane Laws by State: A Guide

If you have a truck accident injury and wonder if the driver may have violated a left lane restriction, this guide can help.

Alabama

In Alabama, all vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than the flow of traffic unless they are passing someone or are turning left. Penalties include:

• First Offense: A fine of up to $100 or 10 days in jail
• Second Offense: A fine of up to $200 and/or 30 days in jail
• Third Offense: A fine of up to $500 and/or three months in jail

The relevant Alabama state codes are §32-5A-80 and 32-5A-8.

Alaska

All vehicles in Alaska must drive in the right lane if driving slower than the posted speed unless they’re passing or turning left. The penalty for violation of this law is a fine of $300. The relevant Alaska state codes are §13 AAC 02.050(b), 13 AAC 03.050(b), 13 AAC 03.085, and 28.90.010(c).

Arizona

In Arizona, all vehicles driving slower than the speed limit must stay in the right lane unless they’re passing or turning left. The penalty for not doing so is a fine of up to $250. Vehicles over 26,000 lbs or those pulling a pole trailer over 6,000 lbs. must use certain lanes where specified by local authorities. Relevant statutes are §28-721, 28-736, and 28-1598.

Arkansas

Vehicles with more than two axles are prohibited from using the far left lane of certain six-lane highways. All vehicles are prohibited from slowing down traffic when driving in the left lane. Ignoring this law could result in a fine of up to $100. Relevant laws are §27-65-107(a)(16) & (b), and 27-51-301(b) & (c).

California

California laws concerning driving in the left lane single out motor trucks, truck tractors with three or more axles, or truck tractors being pulled by another vehicle. These must use lanes designated by signs. If no signs exist, they must stay in the right-hand lane. Where there are four or more lanes, they can use the second lane from the right. When passing, they must use the designated passing lane, second lane from right, or right lane.

Penalties for ignoring these restrictions accumulate over 12 months. For the first offense, there’s a fine of up to $100. The second offense in a year is a fine of up to $200, and a fine of up to $250 for the third offense. The relevant statutes are §21655, 22406, and 42001.

Colorado

In Colorado, all vehicles must stay in the right lane if driving slower than the traffic flow unless they’re passing or turning left. If the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, passing lanes may only be used for passing or turning left. Violations can result in a fine of up to $100. Applicable statutes are §42-4-1001(2), 42-4-1013, and 42-4-1701.

Connecticut

Connecticut prohibits drivers of vehicles with a commercial registration, motor buses, trailers, and school buses from driving in the far-left lane of highways with more than two lanes. Drivers of all vehicles must keep in the right lane if driving slower than the flow of traffic except for passing or turning left. Not doing so can result in a fine of $88. Relevant Connecticut statutes are §14-230a and 14-230.

Delaware

In Delaware, all drivers must use the right lane if driving slower than the speed of traffic unless passing or turning left. Failure to do so can result in a fine of $25-$75. Subsequent offenses within 12 months can cost $57.50 to $95. Delaware’s applicable statutes are §21-4114(b) and 21-4205.

Florida

Drivers in Florida must use the right lane when driving slower than the traffic flow. Drivers must vacate the furthermost left lane if being overtaken by a faster driver coming from behind. Fines of up to $60 can apply for failure to follow these restrictions. Relevant Florida statutes are §316.081(2) & (3) and 318.18(3)(a).

Georgia

Vehicles with more than six wheels, except buses and motor coaches, must use designated lanes. If no signs are present, and two or three lanes are available, trucks are prohibited from using the far left lane except for passing or turning left. Fines for violation vary by location. The Georgia statute that applies is §40-6-52.

Hawaii

All vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than the flow of traffic except to pass or turn left. In Honolulu, drivers must not drive slower than five miles per hour below the speed limit. Offenses can result in fines of $100 to $500.

The relevant Hawaii statutes are §291C-41(b) and 291C-161.

Idaho

All Idaho drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than the speed of traffic except for passing or turning left. Failure to do so can result in a $300 fine. Relevant laws are §49-630(2) and 18-113A.

Illinois

All drivers in Illinois must stay in the right lane at all times unless passing, but there are exceptions. The fines for violation vary by location but are not more than $100. Governing Illinois laws are §625-5/11-701(d) & (e), 625-5/16-104, and 730-5/5-4.5-75.

Indiana

Any truck driving in Indiana must use the far right lane or two right lanes where three or more lanes are available. The exceptions are if they’re passing, entering or exiting the highway, or avoiding a hazard. If the ticket is contested, the fine could be up to $500. Relevant laws are §9-21-8-12 et seq., 9-21-8-49, and 34-28-5-4.

Iowa

In Iowa, all vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than the speed of traffic except to pass or turn left. A fine of $100 applies per violation. The relevant Iowa statute is §321-297(2).

Kansas

Kansas drivers may not drive in the left lane except when passing or turning. Violations result in a fine of $75 per §8-1522(c) and  8-2118.

Kentucky

No vehicle can drive in the left lane of a limited-access highway with four or more lanes where the speed limit is at least 65 mph except to pass, yield to traffic entering the highway, or when it isn’t safe to use the right lane. Fines of $20 to $100 apply for violations per statutes §189.340(7) and 189.990(1).

Louisiana

No vehicle can use the left lane except for passing or turning or when right lanes are congested. A vehicle cannot impede another vehicle in the left lane. Violations for the first offense are a fine of up to $175 or up to 30 days imprisonment. Subsequent offenses carry a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days confinement. Relevant laws are §32-71(B) and 32-57(A).

Maine

All vehicles must use the right lane on limited-access highways where the speed limit is 65 mph or more except to pass. Violations could result in fines of between $25 and $500. If uncontested, the fine is $137. Applicable laws are §29-A.2052, 29-A.103, and 4.164(12).

Massachusetts

Commercial vehicles weighing more than 1.5 tons used to carry goods, wares, and merchandise must use the far right lane or adjacent lane for passing. Any other lane can only be used in an emergency. All vehicles must stay in the right lane except when passing or turning left. Violations can bring fines up to $100 per §89.4C, 89.4B, and 89.5.

Michigan

Trucks with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds, truck tractors, or combinations of a vehicle and trailer or semitrailer must use the two right lanes where there are three or more lanes except when turning left or where a hazard exists. Failure to do this could result in a fine of up to $250. Relevant statutes are §257.634(3) and 257.907(3).

Minnesota

All Minnesota drivers must use the right lane when driving slower than the traffic flow unless passing or turning left, or when a specific lane is designated. Fines for violations can be up to $300. Minnesota statutes §169.18(10) and 169.89 apply.

Mississippi

If driving slower than the speed of traffic, all drivers must use the right lane unless passing or turning left. Fines of $100 per violation can be assessed. The relevant laws are §63-3-603(d) and 63-9-11.

Missouri

There are restrictions in Missouri for trucks weighing more than 48,000 pounds used to transport property and motor vehicles used for carrying freight, merchandise, or more than eight passengers. The restrictions do not include vanpools or shuttle buses.

These vehicles cannot use the left lane on interstates, freeways, or expressways in urban areas that have three or more lanes. The fines vary by location under §304.015(7-9).

Montana

All vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines for violations include:

• First Offense: $10-$100
• Second Offense: $25-$200
• Third Offense: $50-$500

The relevant Montana laws are §61-8-321(3) and 61-8-711.

Nebraska

All Nebraska drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines for violations run from $100 to $300.

Applicable Nebraska laws are §60-6,131 and 60-689.

Nevada

All vehicles must stay in the right lane if driving slow enough to impede traffic. Drivers must vacate the far left lane if being overtaken by a faster driver. Fines for violations are roughly $50 to $250.

The relevant laws are §484B-627, 2017 Assembly Bill 334, and 484A.900.

New Hampshire

All drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines for violations are $62 to $1,000 maximum.

The applicable laws are §265:16(II) and 265:2(IV).

New Jersey

Drivers of trucks with at least 10,000 pounds registered gross weight cannot drive in far left-hand lanes on roads with more than three lanes, except for up to one mile before a left-hand turn, or when entering or exiting roadways, or because of emergency conditions. Failure to comply can result in fines of $50 to $200, imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both. Applicable laws are §39-4-88(e) and 39-4-203.

New Mexico

Drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines of up to $10 can be assessed per violation under §66-7-308(B) and 66-8-116.

New York

All drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left, or unless designated traffic control devices indicate otherwise. Consequences for violations include:

• First Offense: Fine up to $150 and/or imprisonment up to 15 days
• Second Offense: Fine up to $300 and/or imprisonment up to 45 days
• Subsequent Offense: Fine up to $450 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days.

The relevant New York laws are §1120(b), 1128, and 1800.

North Carolina

Vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines of up to $100 can be assessed per violation under §20-146(e) and 20-176.

North Dakota

Drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines of up to $20 can be collected per violation according to §39-10-08, 39-07-06, 39-06.1-06, and 39-06.1-09.

Ohio

All vehicles and trackless trolleys must drive in the right lane if going slower than the speed of traffic except to pass, turn left, or continue on route. All vehicles should keep right on freeways with at least three lanes except when passing. Fines vary under §4511.25(B), 4511.351, and 2929.21 et seq.

Oklahoma

All vehicles, unless passing or turning left, must stay in the right lane when driving slower than the flow of traffic. Vehicles cannot drive in the left lane of roads with at least four lanes unless passing or to maintain safe traffic conditions. Violations can incur fines from $5 to $500 or imprisonment for up to ten days. Applicable Oklahoma laws are §47-11-301, 47-11-309(5), 47-11-309(5), and 47-17-101.

Oregon

Drivers of any camper, vehicle with a trailer, or vehicle with a registered weight of 10,000 pounds or more must stay in the right lane of any road with two or more lanes except to pass, turn left, respond to emergency conditions, avoid merging traffic, or to obey traffic control devices. 

Failure to comply results in a fine of not more than $1,000 per individual or $2,000 per corporation. Governing Oregon laws are §59-811.325 and 14-153.018.

Pennsylvania

Drivers of vehicles or combinations of over 10,000 pounds must stay in the right lane of highways with three or more lanes except when turning left. Fines of up to $25 can be collected per violation according to §3313(d) and 6502.

Rhode Island

Vehicles must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines of up to $85 can be assessed per violation under §31-15-2 and 31-41.1-4.

South Carolina

Drivers must keep to the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines vary according to §56-5-1810.

South Dakota

All drivers of slow-moving vehicles must obey signs designating lanes for slower traffic. When no signs are present, they must drive as close as possible to the right of the highway except when passing. Violations can result in fines of up to $500, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both. Applicable laws are §32-26-1, 32-26-8, and 22-6-2.

Tennessee

Slower drivers must stay in the right lane except when passing or turning left. Truck tractors and semi trailers must follow any signage limiting them to specific lanes. Violations can result in fines up to $50, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. Sign violation fines can be up to $50. Relevant Tennessee laws are §55-8-115(b), 55-8-195, 55-8-103, and 40-35-111(e)(3).

Texas

Texas slower drivers must stay in the right lane except when passing or turning left. In addition, all vehicles must follow any signage limiting them to specific lanes. Consequences for non-compliance are fines from $1 to $200. According to Texas laws §545-051(b), 545-0651, and 542.401.

Utah

Any vehicle pulling a trailer or semitrailer, or any combination of vehicles with a gross weight of 12,001 or more pounds may not use the left lane of a freeway with at least three lanes except to turn left, exit, respond to emergencies, avoid merging traffic, or to obey direction signs.

Fines of up to $750 for individuals or $1,000 for business or government agencies can be imposed for violations under Utah statutes §41-6a-702 and 76-3-301.

Vermont

Drivers must drive in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines for non-compliance can be up to $1,000 according to §1031 and 2302.

Virginia

Under Virginia statutes, commercial vehicles as described in statute 46.2-341.4, except buses, school buses, or highway maintenance and construction vehicles, may not drive in the left lane of any highway with more than two lanes that has a speed limit of at least 65 mph.

These vehicles also are not allowed to drive in the left lane on any interstate highway within the eighth planning district or interstate route 81 regardless of the speed limit. They must also drive in the right-hand lane when driving 15 mph or less below the speed limit except when exiting left. 

Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $750 under §46.2-803.1, 46.2-341.4, 46.2-113, and 18.2-11.

Washington

Any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds cannot use the left lane of any road with three or more lanes unless turning left. They also cannot use the left lane of a two-lane road except when passing, going faster than traffic flow, to avoid merging traffic, or to exit. Fines of up to $250 can be imposed for noncompliance under §46-61-100(2) & (3), 46-63-020, and 46-63-110.

West Virginia

All drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than traffic speeds except for passing or turning left. Fines for violations are $100 up to $500.

The applicable West Virginia laws are §17C-7-1(b) & (c).

Wisconsin

All vehicles must stay in the right lane of any three-lane highway unless passing, turning left, making u-turns, or obeying traffic signs. Vehicles must drive in the right lane if going slower than the speed of traffic unless passing, turning left, making u-turns, or staying on route.

Non-compliance to these statutes could result in a fine from $30 to $300 under §346.05, and 346.17(2).

Wyoming

All drivers must stay in the right lane when driving slower than normal speeds except when passing or turning left. No one is allowed to drive in the left lane of any controlled-access highway for prolonged periods if they impede the flow of traffic. Violations can result in a fine of up to $750 according to §31-5-201(b), 31-5-304(c), and 31-4-104.

Contact a Local Attorney to Learn More

If you have sustained a motor vehicle accident injury or know someone who has suffered an auto accident injury that involved a truck, you can get help by contacting a local personal injury attorney. Reach out to us using our convenient online form to connect with a skilled personal injury attorney today.

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