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Illinois Compiled Statutes

625 ILCS 5/11-701 (2026)

Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions

✓ current as of May 2026
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(625 ILCS 5/11-701) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-701)
    Sec. 11-701. Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions.
    (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
        1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle
    
proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movements;
        2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to
    
drive to the left of the center of the roadway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;
        3. Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for
    
traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
        4. Upon a roadway restricted to one way traffic;
        5. Whenever there is a single track paved road on one
    
side of the public highway and 2 vehicles meet thereon, the driver on whose right is the wider shoulder shall give the right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle.
    (b) Upon a 2 lane roadway, providing for 2-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
    (c) Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under Subsection (a) 2. However, this Subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
    (d) Upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle.
    (e) Subsection (d) of this Section does not apply:
        (1) when no other vehicle is directly behind the
    
vehicle in the left lane;
        (2) when traffic conditions and congestion make it
    
impractical to drive in the right lane;
        (3) when snow and other inclement weather conditions
    
make it necessary to drive in the left lane;
        (4) when obstructions or hazards exist in the right
    
lane;
        (5) when a vehicle changes lanes to comply with
    
Sections 11-907, 11-907.5, and 11-908 of this Code;
        (6) when, because of highway design, a vehicle must
    
be driven in the left lane when preparing to exit;
        (7) on toll highways when necessary to use I-Pass,
    
and on toll and other highways when driving in the left lane is required to comply with an official traffic control device; or
        (8) to law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and
    
other emergency vehicles engaged in official duties and vehicles engaged in highway maintenance and construction operations.
(Source: P.A. 99-681, eff. 1-1-17.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 2003–2025 · leading case: People v. Schaefer, 924 N.E.2d 1176 (Ill. App. Ct. 2010).
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People v. Schaefer, 924 N.E.2d 1176 (Ill. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 2× “Rather, defendant argues, the evidence reflected only that he drove in the wrong direction and, at Nadr's direction, drove onto the exit ramp to stop his vehicle.”
People v. Leyendecker, 787 N.E.2d 358 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003). “These cases consider whether police had reasonable suspicion to believe that motorists violated section 11-701(a) of the Code (625 ILCS 5/11-701(a) (West 2000)), which requires a motorist to stay to the right of the center line.”
Lee v. Weiland, 2022 IL App (4th) 210714-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2022). “” Plaintiff contended defendant violated that duty by committing one or more of the following acts, including violations of Illinois law: (1) failing to drive on the right side of the roadway (625 ILCS 5/11-701 (West 2014)); (2) failing to drive as nearly as practicable entirely…”
Hickey v. Olivia (N.D. Ill. 2022). “The statutory duties include the duty to avoid operating a vehicle at a “speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions” (625 ILCS 5/11-601); the duty to drive on the “right half of the roadway” (625 ILCS 5/11-701); the duty to “obey the…”
Kohler v. CRST Expedited, Inc. (S.D. Ill. 2023). “Consciously disregarded public safety by causing the Freightliner Semi Truck to cross the center median on Interstate 70 in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-701; b. Consciously disregarded public safety by causing the Freightliner Semi Truck to travel westbound in the eastbound lanes…”
People v. Conard, 2021 IL App (3d) 180593-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2021). “See 625 ILCS 5/11-701(e)(1) (West 2016) (stating the prohibition against driving in the left lane without passing “does not apply *** when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane”).”
People v. Harris, 2025 IL App (1st) 231315-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2025). “Improper Lane Usage ¶ 24 While both parties make arguments regarding the sufficiency of the evidence for improper lane usage, neither rely on the same statute. Harris argues that the circuit court irrationally found her guilty of improper lane usage under 625 ILCS 5/11-709 (West…”
625 ILCS 5/11-701(a): 1 case
People v. Leyendecker, 787 N.E.2d 358 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003). “These cases consider whether police had reasonable suspicion to believe that motorists violated section 11-701(a) of the Code (625 ILCS 5/11-701(a) (West 2000)), which requires a motorist to stay to the right of the center line.”
625 ILCS 5/11-701(b): 1 case
People v. Harris, 2025 IL App (1st) 231315-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2025). “Improper Lane Usage ¶ 24 While both parties make arguments regarding the sufficiency of the evidence for improper lane usage, neither rely on the same statute. Harris argues that the circuit court irrationally found her guilty of improper lane usage under 625 ILCS 5/11-709 (West…”
625 ILCS 5/11-701(e)(1): 1 case
People v. Conard, 2021 IL App (3d) 180593-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2021). “See 625 ILCS 5/11-701(e)(1) (West 2016) (stating the prohibition against driving in the left lane without passing “does not apply *** when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane”).”
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