There are left lane restrictions laws for Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV), tractor trailers, or semi-trailers, or semi-trucks in fourteen states. Many states in the US have “Right Lane Travel” laws, and “Left Lane Passing” laws, for when the roadway has two or more lanes in the same direction.
These fourteen states have tried to tackle the problem and do not allow or have minimal allowance for semi-truck traffic in the left lane of a multi-lane roadway. In theory this all sounds great, but in reality in this fast-paced world in which we live, many “rules of the road” are either forgotten, not enforced, or semi-truck drivers ignore or simply don't know the law.
Below are the fourteen states that currently have left lane restriction laws on the books for Commercial Motor Vehicles. Every state has a different definition of what a commercial motor vehicle is, where it needs to be on a highway, and the amount of fine a driver could face.
Arkansas §27-51-301(b) & (c)
Prohibited from using farthest left lane on designated six-lane interstate highways. All vehicles are prohibited from impeding traffic in the left lane of a multi-lane road. Vehicles with more than two axles. Fines up to $100.
California §21655
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.
Connecticut §14-230a
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.
Georgia §40-6-52
Trucks must use designated lanes. If no lanes are designated, and two or three lanes are available, trucks may not use far left lane, except to pass or turn left. Fines vary by location.
Indiana §9-21-8-12
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. Fines of up to $500 if ticket is contested.
Massachusetts §89.4C
Heavy Commercial Vehicles, 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. Heavy commercial vehicles shall be defined as those in excess of two and one-half tons used for transportation of goods, wares, and merchandise. Fines up to $100.
Michigan §257.634(3)
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 semi-trailer. Fines of up to $250.
Missouri §304.015(7-9)
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 van-pools or shuttle buses. Fines vary by location.
New Jersey §39-4-88(e)
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. Fines of $50-$200; imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both.
Oregon §59-811.325
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. Fines of not more than $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for corporations.
Pennsylvania §3313(d)2
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.
Utah §41-6a-702
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. Fines of up to $750 ($1,000 for corporation, associations, partnerships, and governmental instrumentalists).
Virginia §46.2-803.1
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. May not drive in left lane on interstate highway within Eighth Planning District or Interstate Route 81 regardless of speed limit. Must drive in right lane of interstate highway with no more than two lanes when driving 15 miles per hour or more below speed limit. Exception: when exiting to the left. Commercial motor vehicles, except buses, school buses, or vehicles performing maintenance or construction work on interstate highway. Fines up to $750
Washington §46.61.100
Keep right except when passing May not use left lane of a limited access roadway with three or more lanes, except to turn left. May not use left lane of two-lane roadway except to pass, when traveling at greater speed than traffic, to avoid merging traffic, turn left, or exit. Vehicles or combinations weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Fines of up to $250.
It is the responsibility of every commercial truck driver to know the different left lane laws of the states he or she operates in. Before transporting product across a new state line, I would suggest a driver inquire and know the state laws on lane travel that are applicable to commercial motor vehicles.
It is also up to the driver to consider, as commercial and professional drivers, that there are a lot of people with “road rage” boiling in their blood. A driver could subject themselves to cause or be a victim of “road rage” by being in the wrong lane at the wrong time and could put that person into an uncontrollable fit of “road rage”. It is up to the driver to drive defensively, but not offensively.
Please feel free to contact me on this topic or any other topic regarding safe and responsible commercial truck driving.