Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 346.13 (2026)
Driving on roadways laned for traffic
✓ current as of July 2026
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346.13346.13 Driving on roadways laned for traffic. Whenever any roadway has been divided into 2 or more clearly indicated lanes, including those roadways divided into lanes by clearly indicated longitudinal joints, the following rules, in addition to all others consistent with this section, apply:
346.13(1)(1) Except as provided in sub. (4), the operator of a vehicle shall drive as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not deviate from the traffic lane in which the operator is driving without first ascertaining that such movement can be made with safety to other vehicles approaching from the rear.
346.13(2)(2) Except as provided in s. 346.05 (1) (g), upon a 2-way roadway which is divided into 3 lanes the operator of a vehicle may not drive in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or U-turn, or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is marked or posted to give notice of the allocation.
346.13(3)(3) Notwithstanding sub. (2), but subject to sub. (4), when lanes have been marked or posted for traffic moving in a particular direction or at designated speeds, the operator of a vehicle shall drive in the lane designated.
346.13(4)(4) Upon a 2-way roadway with at least 2 lanes for travel in each direction, a wide implement of husbandry, as defined in s. 347.24 (3) (a), that is being operated in compliance with any applicable requirement under s. 347.24 (3), 347.245 (1), or 347.25 (2g), and that is being operated as much as practicable within a single lane may, to the extent necessary, extend into another lane intended for travel in the same direction if it does not impede other vehicles approaching from the rear.
346.13(5)(5) Notwithstanding sub. (1), the operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet may, with due regard for all other traffic, deviate from the lane in which the operator is driving to the extent necessary to approach and drive through a roundabout.
346.13 AnnotationIn calculating the time required to safely execute a deviation from a traffic lane or a turn at an intersection, a driver must consider the condition of the highway. Thompson v. Howe, 77 Wis. 2d 441, 253 N.W.2d 59 (1977).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1966–2025 · leading case: Masko v. City of Madison, 2003 WI App 124 (Wis. Ct. App. 2003).
Masko v. City of Madison, 2003 WI App 124 (Wis. Ct. App. 2003). “She received a citation for making an improper lane change in violation of Wis. Stat. § 346.13 (1) (2001-02). 1 She contested the citation in municipal court, appearing pro se.”
State v. Peterson, 312 N.W.2d 784 (Wis. 1981). “” The circuit court then, sua sponte, amended the complaint to conform to its findings, namely to allege a violation of sec. 346.13(1), Stats. 1977, entitled Deviating From Lane of Traffic.”
Bode v. Buchman, 228 N.W.2d 718 (Wis. 1975). “The deviation instruction was given pursuant to sec. 346.13, Stats., which reads in part as follows: “346.”
Davis v. Geib, 145 N.W.2d 192 (Wis. 1966). “Sec. 346.13, Stats., is entitled, “Driving on roadways laned for traffic.”
State v. Peterson, 306 N.W.2d 263 (Wis. Ct. App. 1981). “Rodney Peterson appeals from a judgment convicting him of deviating from a traffic lane, sec. 346.13(1), Stats., which followed his trial on a charge of inattentive driving, sec.”
Dodge Cnty. v. Cynthia M. Blandin (Wis. Ct. App. 2021). “§ 346.13(1) by making an unsafe lane deviation and Dodge County has adopted this statute as 1 This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to WIS.”
Lewis (E.D. Wis. 2025). “See Wis. Stat. §346.13 ; 346.62. These are basic violations of traffic laws, justifying the traffic stop.”
State v. Trinrud, 932 N.W.2d 189 (Wis. Ct. App. 2019). “§ 346.13(1) (2017-18) requires that the operator of a motor vehicle "not deviate from the [operator's current] traffic lane without first ascertaining that such movement can be made with safety to other vehicles approaching from the rear.”
State v. Robert L. Kavalauskas (Wis. Ct. App. 2019). “§ 346.13(1) (“Driving on roadways laned for traffic”) as “[t]here was no other traffic upon the roadway which would have been affected by Mr.”
Cnty. of Milwaukee v. Roosevelt Cooper, Jr. (Wis. Ct. App. 2022). “§ 346.13(1), to conform to the evidence presented and found the defendant guilty of the amended citation.”
— Wis. Stat. § 346.13(1) — 7 cases
State v. Peterson, 312 N.W.2d 784 (Wis. 1981). “” The circuit court then, sua sponte, amended the complaint to conform to its findings, namely to allege a violation of sec. 346.13(1), Stats. 1977, entitled Deviating From Lane of Traffic.”
Masko v. City of Madison, 2003 WI App 124 (Wis. Ct. App. 2003). “She received a citation for making an improper lane change in violation of Wis. Stat. § 346.13 (1) (2001-02). 1 She contested the citation in municipal court, appearing pro se.”
State v. Peterson, 306 N.W.2d 263 (Wis. Ct. App. 1981). “Rodney Peterson appeals from a judgment convicting him of deviating from a traffic lane, sec. 346.13(1), Stats., which followed his trial on a charge of inattentive driving, sec.”
Dodge Cnty. v. Cynthia M. Blandin (Wis. Ct. App. 2021). “§ 346.13(1) by making an unsafe lane deviation and Dodge County has adopted this statute as 1 This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to WIS.”
State v. Trinrud, 932 N.W.2d 189 (Wis. Ct. App. 2019). “§ 346.13(1) (2017-18) requires that the operator of a motor vehicle "not deviate from the [operator's current] traffic lane without first ascertaining that such movement can be made with safety to other vehicles approaching from the rear.”
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