Wyoming Statutes

Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-203 (2026)

Rules governing overtaking on the left.

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and
passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to
those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter
stated and those contained in subsection (c) of this section:

          (i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another
vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left
thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the
right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken
vehicle;

          (ii) Except when overtaking and passing on the right
is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way
to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible
signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until
completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

     (b) A driver of a passenger car, motorcycle, autocycle or
pickup truck, not towing any other vehicle, may exceed the speed
limit by up to ten (10) miles an hour while passing another
vehicle traveling at less than the legal maximum speed, in order
to safely pass the vehicle. The overtaking vehicle shall return
to the right-hand lane and reduce speed to the posted speed
limit as soon as practicable. This subsection shall be
applicable only upon roadways divided into two (2) lanes for two
(2) way movement of traffic and where the posted speed limit is
fifty (50) miles per hour or greater. This subsection shall not
be applicable in construction zones. Passing a vehicle pursuant
to this subsection shall be subject to all other applicable
motor vehicle laws. A driver of a vehicle exceeding the ten
(10) mile per hour limitation of this subsection shall be
subject to the full penalty or penalties applicable to exceeding
the posted speed limit by the actual speed of the vehicle. As
used in this section, "motorcycle," "passenger car," "pickup,"
"autocycle" and "vehicle" mean as defined in W.S. 31-1-101.

     (c) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a
bicycle or electric bicycle, which is operating lawfully,
proceeding in the same direction shall, when space allows,
maintain at least a three (3) foot separation between the right
side of the driver's motor vehicle, including all mirrors and
other projections from the motor vehicle, and the bicycle or
electric bicycle.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1979–1987 · leading case: England v. Simmons, 728 P.2d 1137 (Wyo. 1986).

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England v. Simmons, 728 P.2d 1137 (Wyo. 1986). · cites it 6× “", and, finally, § 31-5-203, W.S. 1977, 1984 Replacement: "(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated: "(i) The driver of a vehicle…”

Harvey v. State, 596 P.2d 1386 (Wyo. 1979). · cites it 4× “" [4] Section 31-5-203(a)(i), W.S. 1977 provides: "(i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the…”

Clarke v. Vandermeer, 740 P.2d 921 (Wyo. 1987). · cites it 4× “The statutes disregarded in this case are: Section 31-5-203, W.S. 1977: "(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated: "(i) The driver…”

Campbell v. W. S. Hatch Co., 622 P.2d 944 (Wyo. 1981). · cites it 6× “) Section 31-5-203, W.S.1977, states: “(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated: “(i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another…”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-203(a) — 1 case

Campbell v. W. S. Hatch Co., 622 P.2d 944 (Wyo. 1981). “) Section 31-5-203, W.S.1977, states: “(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated: “(i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another…”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-203(a)(i) — 1 case

Harvey v. State, 596 P.2d 1386 (Wyo. 1979). “" [4] Section 31-5-203(a)(i), W.S. 1977 provides: "(i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the…”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-203(a)(ii) — 2 cases

England v. Simmons, 728 P.2d 1137 (Wyo. 1986). “", and, finally, § 31-5-203, W.S. 1977, 1984 Replacement: "(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated: "(i) The driver of a vehicle…”

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