Wyoming Statutes

Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-209 (2026)

Driving on roadways laned for traffic.

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) Whenever any roadway has been divided into two (2) or
more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in
addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:

          (i) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as
practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved
from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that the
movement can be made with safety;

          (ii) Upon a roadway which is divided into three (3)
lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle
shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking
and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when
the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or
in preparation for making or completing a left turn or where the
center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic
moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and the
allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices;

          (iii) Official traffic-control devices may be erected
directing specified traffic to use a designated lane or
designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a
particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway and
drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such
device;

          (iv) Official traffic-control devices may be
installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of
roadways and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of
every such device.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 12 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1978–2021 · leading case: Dods v. State, 2010 WY 133 (Wyo. 2010).

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Dods v. State, 2010 WY 133 (Wyo. 2010). · cites it 23× “DISCUSSION [¶ 6] Dods contends that crossing a fog line one time, ostensibly in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (a)(ii) (LexisNexis 2009), does not create articulable suspicion enough to stop a driver.”

Bradley Michael Elmore v. The State of Wyoming, 2021 WY 41 (Wyo. 2021). · cites it 6× “” As previously noted, Trooper Kirlin observed Mr. Elmore’s vehicle cross roughly two feet over the center line for about an eighth of a mile twice.”

Tiernan v. State, Dep't of Transp., 2011 WY 143 (Wyo. 2011). · cites it 6× “Tiernan for failing to maintain a single lane of traffic in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (a)() (LexisNexis 2011).”

Espinoza v. State ex rel. Wyoming Dep't of Transp., 280 P.3d 1226 (Wyo. 2012). · cites it 11× “Espinoza for violating Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (LexisNexis 2011), which requires vehicles be driven "as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane" of traffic.”

Wood v. CRST Expedited, Inc., 419 P.3d 503 (Wyo. 2018). · cites it 2× “Decedent's unexplained failure to maintain his lane of traffic, and his failure to see what could plainly be seen, was not a probable consequence of Mr.”

Combined Ins. Co. of Am. v. Sinclair, 584 P.2d 1034 (Wyo. 1978). · cites it 2× “In this regard, we note that § 31-5-209(a)(i), W.S. 1977 [§ 31-107, W.”

United States v. Ibarra, 725 F. Supp. 1195 (D. Wyo. 1989). · cites it 2× “It is beyond dispute, however, that the statute does require that a motorist pass only after he can do so with reasonable safety. At the hearing in this matter, the officer testified that he observed Ibarra cut off a second vehicle while passing, which would indicate a possible…”

United States v. Bassols, 775 F. Supp. 2d 1293 (D.N.M. 2011). “§ 41-6a-710 (2009); Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (1984). For this reason, the Court will refer to similar statutes in other states as "as nearly as practicable" statutes.”

In Re Hittner, 2008 WY 91 (Wyo. 2008). “Hittner also submitted evidence that he had entered pleas of guilty to attempting to elude (§ 31-5-225(a)), open container (§ 31-5-235), and failure to maintain single lane of travel/crossing the fog line (§ 31-5-209). The DWUI charge (§ 31-5-233(b)(ii)(A)) was dismissed without…”

Norman v. State, 747 P.2d 520 (Wyo. 1987). “Appellant was stopped for driving in more than one lane of traffic on a four-lane city street in violation of § 31-5-209(a)(i), W.S.1977 (November 1984 Replacement).”

Orchard v. State, Dep't of Transp., 2011 WY 145 (Wyo. 2011). “§ 31-5-207 , governing "No-passing zones," § 31-5-209, titled "Driving on roadways laned for traffic," and § 31-5-217, governing "Turning movements and required signals.”

Oberson v. Shreeve, 672 P.2d 1294 (Wyo. 1983). “Appellants cite § 31-5-209(a)(i), W.S. 1977, for the proposition that appellee breached the statutory duty to remain in his right hand lane of travel at a time appellants’ driver was committed to passing appellee’s vehicle.”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-209(2)(1) — 1 case

Dods v. State, 2010 WY 133 (Wyo. 2010). “DISCUSSION [¶ 6] Dods contends that crossing a fog line one time, ostensibly in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (a)(ii) (LexisNexis 2009), does not create articulable suspicion enough to stop a driver.”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-209(a) — 1 case

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-209(a)(1) — 1 case

Espinoza v. State ex rel. Wyoming Dep't of Transp., 280 P.3d 1226 (Wyo. 2012). “Espinoza for violating Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (LexisNexis 2011), which requires vehicles be driven "as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane" of traffic.”

— Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-209(a)(i) — 7 cases

Bradley Michael Elmore v. The State of Wyoming, 2021 WY 41 (Wyo. 2021). “” As previously noted, Trooper Kirlin observed Mr. Elmore’s vehicle cross roughly two feet over the center line for about an eighth of a mile twice.”

Combined Ins. Co. of Am. v. Sinclair, 584 P.2d 1034 (Wyo. 1978). “In this regard, we note that § 31-5-209(a)(i), W.S. 1977 [§ 31-107, W.”

United States v. Ibarra, 725 F. Supp. 1195 (D. Wyo. 1989). “It is beyond dispute, however, that the statute does require that a motorist pass only after he can do so with reasonable safety. At the hearing in this matter, the officer testified that he observed Ibarra cut off a second vehicle while passing, which would indicate a possible…”

Tiernan v. State, Dep't of Transp., 2011 WY 143 (Wyo. 2011). “Tiernan for failing to maintain a single lane of traffic in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-209 (a)() (LexisNexis 2011).”

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