Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100 (2026)
Keep right except when passing, etc
✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;
(b) 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;
(c) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes and providing for two-way movement traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
(d) Upon a street or highway restricted to one-way traffic; or
(e) Upon a highway having three lanes or less, when approaching the following vehicles in the manner described under RCW 46.61.212(2)(b): (i) A stationary authorized emergency vehicle; (ii) a tow truck or other vehicle providing roadside assistance while operating warning lights with three hundred sixty degree visibility; (iii) a police vehicle; or (iv) a stationary or slow moving highway construction vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle, solid waste vehicle, or utility service vehicle that meets the lighting requirements identified in RCW 46.61.212(1).
(2) Upon all roadways having two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, all vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, except (a) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, (b) when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow, (c) when moving left to allow traffic to merge, or (d) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway when such left turn is legally permitted. On any such roadway, a vehicle or combination over ten thousand pounds shall be driven only in the right-hand lane except under the conditions enumerated in (a) through (d) of this subsection.
(3) No vehicle towing a trailer or no vehicle or combination over ten thousand pounds may be driven in the left-hand lane of a limited access roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in one direction except when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway when a left turn is legally permitted. This subsection does not apply to a vehicle using a high occupancy vehicle lane. A high occupancy vehicle lane is not considered the left-hand lane of a roadway. The department of transportation, in consultation with the Washington state patrol, shall adopt rules specifying (a) those circumstances where it is permissible for other vehicles to use the left lane in case of emergency or to facilitate the orderly flow of traffic, and (b) those segments of limited access roadway to be exempt from this subsection due to the operational characteristics of the roadway.
(4) It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.
(5) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not 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 (1)(b) 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 alley, private road or driveway.
[ 2025 c 58 s 2029; 2018 c 18 s 1; 2007 c 83 s 2; 1997 c 253 s 1; 1986 c 93 s 2; 1972 ex.s. c 33 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 281 s 46; 1967 ex.s. c 145 s 58; 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 15.]
Notes:
Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.
Explanatory note—2025 c 58: See note following RCW 1.16.050.
Legislative intent—1986 c 93: "It is the intent of the legislature, in this 1985 [1986] amendment of RCW 46.61.100, that the left-hand lane on any state highway with two or more lanes in the same direction be used primarily as a passing lane." [ 1986 c 93 s 1.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18
cases, 1970–2018 · leading case: State v. Huffman, 340 P.3d 903 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Huffman, 340 P.3d 903 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “On RALJ appeal, the superior court reversed, concluding the stop was valid because Huffman committed a traffic infraction by crossing the center line in violation of RCW 46.61.100. We granted Huffman’s motion for discretionary review and affirm.”
State of Tennessee v. William Whitlow Davis, Jr., 484 S.W.3d 138 (Tenn. 2016). “Recognizing the “practical reality” that vehicles “do not travel in perfect vectors,” the court concluded ■ that this argument was “misplaced because it is more properly addressed to the legislature.”
State of Washington v. Erica C. Magallon Alvarez, 430 P.3d 673 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “140(1) and RCW 46.61.100 (drive on right side of road) can be construed together so that a brief incursion across the center line is not an infraction.”
Bordynoski v. Bergner, 644 P.2d 1173 (Wash. 1982). “under the rules governing such movement", RCW 46.61.100(l)(a); (4) that if he was to "give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle" there would be an "audible signal", RCW 46.”
Zook v. Baier, 514 P.2d 923 (Wash. Ct. App. 1973). “The giving of these instructions was pursuant to RCW 46.61.100 and 46.61.140. They are pertinent in that they inform the jury that a pedestrian is entitled to anticipate that oncoming vehicles will be in their appropriate lane of traffic.”
State Of Washington v. Christi L. Kocher, 199 Wash. App. 336 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “The court concluded that Huffman had committed a traffic infraction under RCW 46.61.100. 29 ¶24 This court granted Huffman’s request for discretionary review.”
Leach v. Weiss, 467 P.2d 894 (Wash. Ct. App. 1970). “RCW 46.61.100 provides: (1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows: (b) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing…”
State v. Jones, 347 P.3d 483 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “See RCW 46.61.100(4) (“It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.”
Foster v. Bylund, 503 P.2d 1087 (Wash. Ct. App. 1972). “RCW 46.61.100. Thus, it is clear that the standard of care is fixed by law and is the same under all circumstances.”
State Of Washington v. Sarah S. Huffman (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “On RALJ appeal, the superior court reversed, concluding the stop was valid because Huffman committed a traffic infraction by crossing the centerline in violation of RCW 46.61.100. We granted Huffman's motion for discretionary review and affirm.”
State of Washington v. Steven Martin Thibert, 415 P.3d 1202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “Additionally, even when one of the four circumstances exist, the State construes the rules as making it an infraction to travel in the left lane if it will impede the flow of traffic.”
Sadler v. Wagner, 486 P.2d 330 (Wash. Ct. App. 1971). “In support of this contention defendant cites RCW 46.61.100(2): Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding slower than *82 the legal maximum speed or at a speed slower than necessary for safe operation at the time and place and under the conditions then existing, shall be driven…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(1) — 4 cases
State of Tennessee v. William Whitlow Davis, Jr., 484 S.W.3d 138 (Tenn. 2016). “Recognizing the “practical reality” that vehicles “do not travel in perfect vectors,” the court concluded ■ that this argument was “misplaced because it is more properly addressed to the legislature.”
State of Washington v. Erica C. Magallon Alvarez, 430 P.3d 673 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “140(1) and RCW 46.61.100 (drive on right side of road) can be construed together so that a brief incursion across the center line is not an infraction.”
State v. Huffman, 340 P.3d 903 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “On RALJ appeal, the superior court reversed, concluding the stop was valid because Huffman committed a traffic infraction by crossing the center line in violation of RCW 46.61.100. We granted Huffman’s motion for discretionary review and affirm.”
State Of Washington v. Sarah S. Huffman (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “On RALJ appeal, the superior court reversed, concluding the stop was valid because Huffman committed a traffic infraction by crossing the centerline in violation of RCW 46.61.100. We granted Huffman's motion for discretionary review and affirm.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(1)(a) — 1 case
Jon Rappaport v. Nicole Hanson (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(2) — 3 cases
State of Washington v. Steven Martin Thibert, 415 P.3d 1202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “Additionally, even when one of the four circumstances exist, the State construes the rules as making it an infraction to travel in the left lane if it will impede the flow of traffic.”
Sadler v. Wagner, 486 P.2d 330 (Wash. Ct. App. 1971). “In support of this contention defendant cites RCW 46.61.100(2): Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding slower than *82 the legal maximum speed or at a speed slower than necessary for safe operation at the time and place and under the conditions then existing, shall be driven…”
State v. Malone, 150 P.3d 130 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(4) — 3 cases
State v. Jones, 347 P.3d 483 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “See RCW 46.61.100(4) (“It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.”
State of Washington v. Steven Martin Thibert, 415 P.3d 1202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “Additionally, even when one of the four circumstances exist, the State construes the rules as making it an infraction to travel in the left lane if it will impede the flow of traffic.”
State Of Washington v. Donald Kinsell Jones (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(l)(a) — 1 case
Bordynoski v. Bergner, 644 P.2d 1173 (Wash. 1982). “under the rules governing such movement", RCW 46.61.100(l)(a); (4) that if he was to "give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle" there would be an "audible signal", RCW 46.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.100(l)(b) — 1 case
Anthony v. C. D. Amende Co., 639 P.2d 231 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982).
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