Idaho Code
Idaho Code § 49-637 (2026)
Driving on highways laned for traffic.
✓ current as of May 2026
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Driving on highways laned for traffic.
Whenever any highway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following, in addition to all else, shall apply:
(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.
(2) Upon a highway which is divided into three (3) lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left-turn or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by a traffic-control device.
(3) Traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a designated lane, or designate those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center of the highway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every device.
(4) Traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of highways and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every device.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22
cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1994–2024 · leading case: State v. Fuller, 416 P.3d 957 (Idaho 2018).
State v. Fuller, 416 P.3d 957 (Idaho 2018). “The statute reads as follows: Whenever any highway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes *961 for traffic the following, in addition to all else, shall apply: (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not…”
State v. Nathan David Neal, 362 P.3d 514 (Idaho 2015). ““Highway” 6 means “the entire width between the boundary lines of every way .”
State v. Devan, 482 P.3d 577 (Idaho Ct. App. 2020). “3 The only dispute is whether Devan’s driving provided reasonable suspicion that he violated the statutory requirement that his vehicle be driven, as nearly as practicable, entirely within a clearly marked single lane.”
State v. Islas, 443 P.3d 274 (Idaho Ct. App. 2019). “In the trial court, the State argued Fuller's traffic stop was justified as a violation of I.C. § 49-637(1), failing to maintain a lane of travel.”
State v. Richard Glenn Morris, 365 P.3d 407 (Idaho Ct. App. 2015). “§ 49-630 or I.C. § 49-637. The district court specifically determined that whether Morris’ vehicle’s tires crossed a line demarcating a bike path or a parking area, he had committed a traffic violation under either statute.”
State v. Lynch, 883 P.2d 1080 (Idaho 1994). “Lynch was also cited for failure to drive in a designated lane, an infraction, in violation of I.C. § 49-637. Each charge alleged that the offense had occurred at 2:00 a.”
Dabestani v. Bellus, 961 P.2d 633 (Idaho 1998). “The Trial Court Should Have Instructed the Jury Based On I.C. § 49-637(1). The guardian asserts that the trial court should' have given his requested instruction based on I.”
People v. Mueller, 2018 IL App (2d) 170863 (Ill. App. Ct. 2019). “at 519; see Idaho Code Ann. § 49-637 (West 2014)). The issue was whether the police had a reasonable suspicion to stop the defendant for ILU after he drove his vehicle onto but not across the fog line.”
State v. Cohen, 554 P.3d 620 (Idaho Ct. App. 2024). “Cohen filed a motion to suppress, arguing the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop based on a violation of Idaho Code § 49-637 (1) (failure to maintain lane).”
State v. Cohen (Idaho Ct. App. 2024). “Cohen filed a motion to suppress, arguing the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop based on a violation of Idaho Code § 49-637 (1) (failure to maintain lane).”
State v. Gonzalez (Idaho Ct. App. 2021). “Idaho Code § 49-637 (1) states, in pertinent part: Whenever any highway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following, in addition to all else, shall apply: (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single…”
State v. Robert Bryon Dixon (Idaho Ct. App. 2017). “The district court denied the motion, finding that the testifying officer was credible and that Dixon’s conduct--drifting over the lane marker for two or three seconds without signaling--violated I.C. § 49-637(1), giving the officer reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation.”
— Idaho Code § 49-637(1) — 16 cases
State v. Fuller, 416 P.3d 957 (Idaho 2018). “The statute reads as follows: Whenever any highway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes *961 for traffic the following, in addition to all else, shall apply: (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not…”
State v. Devan, 482 P.3d 577 (Idaho Ct. App. 2020). “3 The only dispute is whether Devan’s driving provided reasonable suspicion that he violated the statutory requirement that his vehicle be driven, as nearly as practicable, entirely within a clearly marked single lane.”
State v. Nathan David Neal, 362 P.3d 514 (Idaho 2015). ““Highway” 6 means “the entire width between the boundary lines of every way .”
State v. Islas, 443 P.3d 274 (Idaho Ct. App. 2019). “In the trial court, the State argued Fuller's traffic stop was justified as a violation of I.C. § 49-637(1), failing to maintain a lane of travel.”
State v. Richard Glenn Morris, 365 P.3d 407 (Idaho Ct. App. 2015). “§ 49-630 or I.C. § 49-637. The district court specifically determined that whether Morris’ vehicle’s tires crossed a line demarcating a bike path or a parking area, he had committed a traffic violation under either statute.”
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