Vermont Statutes Annotated

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1031 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subchapter 003 : USE OF ROADWAY

(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1031)

§ 1031. Driving to right

(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 movement;

(2) when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, 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 highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

(3) upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

(4) upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then 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 four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-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 subdivision (a)(2) of this section. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an intersecting highway, an alley, private road, or driveway when authorized. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 13 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1983–2022 · leading case: State v. Stephen Howard, 2016 VT 49 (Vt. 2016).

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State v. Stephen Howard, 2016 VT 49 (Vt. 2016). · cites it 4× “Under 23 V.S.A. § 1031, with four exceptions, drivers are required to drive on the right half of the roadway: (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…”

State v. Marshall, 2010 VT 81 (Vt. 2010). · cites it 2× “On a curve in the road, however, the officer saw defendant's vehicle cross the yellow center line in violation of Vermont's "drive to the right" statute, 23 V.S.A. § 1031(a), which requires that "[u]pon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right…”

State v. Kirby, 465 A.2d 1369 (Vt. 1983). · cites it 4× “§ 1223, and of operating a motor vehicle on the left side of the road, 23 V.S.A. § 1031 (a). He appeals both convictions.”

In re North East Materials Grp., LLC Amended Act 250 Permit (Russell Austin, Pamela Austin, Julie Barre, Marc Bernier, Collectively, Neighbors for Healthy Communities, Appellants), 174 A.3d 747 (Vt. 2017). “See 23 V.S.A. § 1031. By adding this condition, according to the court, any truck crossing the center line would be in violation of the plant's Act 250 permit as well as state law.”

Simpson v. Rood, 2005 VT 21 (Vt. 2005). “In this case, the safety statutes at issue required defendant to drive his vehicle in the right half of the roadway, 23 V.S.A. § 1031, and to exercise ordinary care while doing so, id.”

Brown v. Roadway Express, Inc., 740 A.2d 352 (Vt. 1999). “” Section 1031(a)(2) contains exceptions, one of which applies “[w]hen an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway.”

State v. Santaw, 2010 VT 111 (Vt. 2010). · cites it 4× “Because we are deciding that the officer had reasonable suspicion for a seizure based on defendant's violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1031 and the odor of alcohol, we do not need to, and do not, reach when a seizure occurred.”

State v. Michael Sinquell-Gainey & David Vaz, 2022 VT 19 (Vt. 2022). · cites it 2× “As to the purported centerline violation on the interstate, the trial court credited Officer LeClair’s dash-mounted camera footage, which showed that defendants’ vehicle touched but did not, in fact, cross the centerline. The court found that Officer LeClair’s mistaken…”

Michael Sinquell-Gainey & David Vaz, 2022 VT 19 (Vt. 2022). · cites it 2× “As to the purported centerline violation on the interstate, the trial court credited Officer LeClair’s dash-mounted camera footage, which showed that defendants’ vehicle touched but did not, in fact, cross the centerline. The court found that Officer LeClair’s mistaken…”

State v. Doyon, 758 A.2d 816 (Vt. 2000). “On appeal, the State argues that the officer’s stop was justified based on his observation of defendant violating state law requiring motorists to drive on the right side of roads.”

N.E. Materials Gp. (Vt. Super. Ct. 2016). · cites it 2× “See 23 V.S.A. § 1031; United States v. Williams, No.”

N.E. Materials Grp Act 250 (Vt. Super. Ct. 2016). · cites it 2× “See 23 V.S.A. § 1031; United States v. Williams, No.”

Show all 13 citing cases →

— Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1031(a) — 5 cases

State v. Marshall, 2010 VT 81 (Vt. 2010). “On a curve in the road, however, the officer saw defendant's vehicle cross the yellow center line in violation of Vermont's "drive to the right" statute, 23 V.S.A. § 1031(a), which requires that "[u]pon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right…”

Brown v. Roadway Express, Inc., 740 A.2d 352 (Vt. 1999). “” Section 1031(a)(2) contains exceptions, one of which applies “[w]hen an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway.”

State v. Kirby, 465 A.2d 1369 (Vt. 1983). “§ 1223, and of operating a motor vehicle on the left side of the road, 23 V.S.A. § 1031 (a). He appeals both convictions.”

State v. Santaw, 2010 VT 111 (Vt. 2010). “Because we are deciding that the officer had reasonable suspicion for a seizure based on defendant's violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1031 and the odor of alcohol, we do not need to, and do not, reach when a seizure occurred.”

State v. Jack Wallace (Vt. 2013).

— Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1031(a)(2) — 1 case

State v. Stephen Howard, 2016 VT 49 (Vt. 2016). “Under 23 V.S.A. § 1031, with four exceptions, drivers are required to drive on the right half of the roadway: (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…”

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