Left-Lane Driving Laws by State: What You Should Know (2026)

How many states have left lane laws? Most states have left-lane driving laws, where drivers must stay right unless passing or turning. However, penalties for left lane laws by state vary.

Drivers can be ticketed for driving slowly in the left lane for too long. For instance, the Wisconsin left lane law punishes this with a fine of up to $214 and four license points. Also, getting a ticket is one of many factors that affect auto insurance rates.

Read More: Auto Insurance Rates by State

If you need cheap auto insurance for a bad driving record, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to see rates from the best auto insurance companies.

States With Left-Lane Driving Laws

Is driving in the left lane illegal? State “keep right” laws or the left-lane law dictates proper use of the passing lane. In many states, left lanes on the interstates are designed for passing slower vehicles rather than solely using them to evade traffic congestion.

So, what states have left lane laws? Though every state has some type of restriction regarding the left lane, these restrictions vary greatly. Hover over the map below to see your state’s left-lane driving laws:

As you can see, there are many states where the left lane is for passing only.

Unless in South Dakota, left-lane cruisers cannot hog the passing lane.

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. However, South Dakota is the only state without any restrictions for left-lane driving.

Learn More: South Dakota Auto Insurance

If you happen to be one of the “slowpokes,” perhaps it’s time to work on driving the minimum posted speed limit.

So, is it illegal to drive in the passing lane? Yes, all states except South Dakota have their own driving in left lane law with differing conditions. So generally, the left lane is for passing only, or turning.

Penalties for Violating Left Lane Driving Ban

Now that you know the answer to, “Is it illegal to stay in the left lane?” you might be wondering what the consequences are for left-lane cruising. Each state has different penalties to enforce their new left lane law, listed here:

Penalties for Left-Lane Driving by State

As you can see, there are different penalties for violating the left lane laws by state. For instance, violating the Wisconsin left lane law could result in a fine of up to $214 and four points added to your license. Meanwhile, the left lane law in Florida sets a $75 maximum fine, and you could get three points on your license.

So, if you’re wondering, “Is it illegal to cruise in the left lane?” the answer is yes in most states, and you could incur fines and/or additional points on your license. In addition, since getting a ticket is one of the factors that affect auto insurance rates, you could see higher premiums if you’re caught left-lane driving.

Dangers of Left-Lane Driving

What are the dangers of left-lane driving? Many people don’t realize the dangers hanging out in the left lane can causes. Take a couple of minutes to learn why slower drivers should stay right, and the left lane should only be used for left-lane passing and turning.

Driving just 5 mph slower than everyone else on the highway increases the risk of another driver causing an accident while attempting to pass you. According to Nolo’s legal site, you can actually get a ticket for driving too slow and impeding traffic.

When left lanes are used only for passing, however, the risk of collision is decreased since drivers can pass multiple cars at once and quickly resume their place on the right-hand side. This not only makes the motorway a safer place for everyone involved but also decreases the frequency of drops in speed and disrupted traffic flow.

Learn More: Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

For that reason, to answer the question, “Which lane is the slow lane on highways?”, it is always the right-hand lane. That is essentially what the right lane is used for — both for driving slowly and to exit the highway as well.

This rule is important for making the streets a safer place and likely a rule that the states with the best drivers are already following. It can reduce accidents and even reckless driving behavior, which often occurs when a driver is forced to change lanes rapidly due to people camping in the left lane.

More About Left-Lane Camping Restrictions

So, is it illegal to drive in the left lane? Most states do, and it’s your responsibility to understand and obey the left-lane driving laws in your home state and any state you plan to travel through. Highways and faster speeds always pose a greater risk of collision, but you can protect yourself and those around you by being a safe driver who abides by the law.

Safe driving can also affect your auto insurance rates, with many providers offering car insurance discounts for safe drivers, including vanishing deductibles, driver’s ed discounts, and attending defensive driver courses.

Read More:

• How do vanishing or disappearing deductibles work?
• How to Get a Defensive Driver Auto Insurance Discount
• How to Get a Driver’s Ed Auto Insurance Discount

If you’re facing higher rates after violation a state’s new law about driving in the left lane, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool to find the right types of auto insurance coverage for you.