Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.61
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.120 (2026)

Limitations on overtaking on the left

✓ current as of May 2026
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No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing other traffic proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of RCW 46.61.100 through 46.61.160 and 46.61.212 and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any traffic approaching from the opposite direction or any traffic overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet of any approaching traffic.
[ 2007 c 83 s 3; 2005 c 396 s 2; 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 19.]

Notes:

Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1970–2014 · leading case: State v. Huffman, 340 P.3d 903 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
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State v. Huffman, 340 P.3d 903 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “140(1); see also RCW 46.61.120 (permitted when overtaking and passing only if the “left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic .”
Day v. Goodwin, 478 P.2d 774 (Wash. Ct. App. 1970). “The relative rights and duties of the driver and the pedestrian are defined in the following statutes: RCW 46.61.120 Limitations on overtaking on the left.”
State Of Washington v. Sarah S. Huffman (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “2 Huffman also argues that RCW 46.61.120 supports her position because it permits driving left of the centerline when overtaking and passing traffic proceeding in the same direction when authorized by RCW 46.”
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