When may you pass another vehicle on the right, state by state?
Every state’s answer, and the District of Columbia’s, from its own manual or code: 48 have a rule on this, quoted below with where it is written; 3 say nothing on it.
Statutes fetched between 6 and 8 October 2026; manuals fetched between 6 September and 4 October 2026. How the answers are made
| State | The rule | Where it is written | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | Alabama law, Ala. Code § 32-5A-83(a) | 6 Oct 2026 |
| Alaska | (a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under conditions permitting the movement in safety, and (1) when the vehicle overtaken is making, or is about to make, a left turn from a lane to the left of the overtaking vehicle, or is stopped or disabled; or (2) when the vehicles are traveling upon an unobstructed roadway of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles, moving lawfully in the direction of the overtaking vehicle. (3) repealed 6/28/79. | Alaska law, 13 AAC 02.055(a) | 6 Oct 2026 |
| Arizona | You may pass on the right on an open highway clearly marked for two or more lanes moving in your direction. | Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, p.27 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| California | You may pass on the right only where an open highway has two or more lanes going your direction, where the driver ahead is turning left, or on a one-way street. | California Driver’s Handbook, p.25 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Colorado | Typically you should pass on the left, and you are only allowed to pass on the right on one way streets and on roadways with two or more lanes of travel in each direction. | Colorado Driver Handbook, p.15 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Connecticut | The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only when conditions permit such movement in safety and under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or has signified the intention to make a left turn; (2) when lines of vehicles traveling in the same direction in adjoining traffic lanes have come to a stop or have reduced their speed; (3) upon a one-way street free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles; (4) upon a limited access highway or parkway free from obstructions with three or more lanes provided for traffic in one direction. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the highway except where lane designations, signs, signals or markings provide for such movement. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction. | Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-233 | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Delaware | (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event, except as permitted in subsection (c) and (d) of this section, shall such movement be made by driving off the roadway, main traveled portion, or regular moving traffic lane of the highway. | Delaware law, 21 Del. C. § 4117(a) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| District of Columbia | On a two-lane highway you may pass on the right only when the vehicle being overtaken is making or about to make a left turn. | DC Driver Manual, p.72 | 16 Sep 2026 |
| Florida | (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (b) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction; (c) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles. | Florida law, Fla. Stat. § 316.084(1) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Hawaii | (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for and with lanes marked for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; (3) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles. | Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-44(a) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Idaho | You may pass on the right when the vehicle you are overtaking on a two-lane, two-way road is signaling to turn left. | July 2026 Idaho Driver's Handbook, p.77 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Illinois | A driver may pass on the right on a two-lane roadway where there is enough room and the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn. | Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.28 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Indiana | (b) A person who drives a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions that permit overtaking upon the right in safety. Overtaking upon the right may not be made by driving off the roadway. | Indiana law, Ind. Code § 9-21-8-6(b) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Iowa | 1. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the driver of a vehicle on a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle being passed may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn when such movement can be made in safety. | Iowa law, Iowa Code § 321.302(1) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Kansas | A Kansas driver may pass another vehicle on the right when driving on one-way streets and highways marked for two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. | Kansas Driving Handbook, p.17 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Kentucky | (3) The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; or (b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | Kentucky law, KRS 189.340(3) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Louisiana | You may pass on the right only when there are two or more lanes of traffic moving in your direction. | Class D & E Driver's Guide, p.72 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Maine | You may pass on the right when the car you are passing is making a left turn and there is room for two or more lanes to move the same way. | Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.56 | 4 Oct 2026 |
| Maryland | You should generally pass on the left, but you may pass on the right when the other vehicle is about to make a left turn, or on an unobstructed road with two or more lanes going your way. | Maryland Driver's Manual, p.16 | 6 Sep 2026 |
| Massachusetts | You may pass on the right when the vehicle you are passing is making, or is about to make, a left turn. | Massachusetts Driver's Manual, p.103 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Michigan | You may pass on the right on a one-way street with more than one lane, or on a roadway with two or more lanes in each direction. | What Every Driver Must Know, p.32 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Minnesota | You may pass on the right when the vehicle you are overtaking is making or about to make a left turn. | Minnesota Driver’s Manual, p.34 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Mississippi | You may pass on the right when the vehicle you are passing is making or about to make a left turn. | Mississippi Driver's License Manual, p.47 | 4 Oct 2026 |
| Missouri | You may pass on the right when the vehicle you are overtaking is making or about to make a left turn. | Missouri Driver Guide, p.22 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Montana | (2) The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting safe movement. The movement may not be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway, except that a person operating a bicycle may pass on the shoulder, provided the movement may be done in safety. | Montana law, Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-324(2) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Nebraska | (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (a) When the vehicle to be overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (b) Upon a two-way street or highway with an unobstructed roadway, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving vehicles going in the same direction when the passing vehicle is traveling in one of such lanes; or (c) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving vehicles. | Nebraska law, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,134(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Nevada | 1. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: | Nevada law, NRS 484B.210(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New Hampshire | III. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway. | New Hampshire law, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265:19(III) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New Jersey | The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. If vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, the provisions of this paragraph and section 39:4-87 of this Title shall not be considered as prohibiting the vehicles in one line overtaking and passing the vehicles in another line either upon the right or left, nor shall those provisions be construed to prohibit drivers overtaking and passing upon the right another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn. | New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-85 | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New Mexico | A. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (1) when the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; or (3) upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles. | New Mexico law, NMSA 1978, § 66-7-311(A) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New York | A driver can pass a vehicle on the right when the vehicle ahead makes a left turn. | New York State Driver's Manual, p.39 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| North Dakota | 1. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: a. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; or b. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10-12(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Ohio | (A) The driver of a vehicle or trackless trolley may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle or trackless trolley only under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle or trackless trolley overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | Ohio law, Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.28(A) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Oklahoma | You may pass on the right when the vehicle in front of you is making or about to make a left turn, but you can never legally pass on the right by driving off the pavement or main portion of the highway. | Oklahoma Driver Manual, p.35 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Oregon | You may pass on the right only where the vehicle you are passing is making or has signaled a left turn, or where the road has two or more lanes in your direction and that vehicle is in the left lane. | 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual, p.33 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | You may pass on the right when the driver ahead is making or signaling a left turn, and the passing driver must stay on the berm or shoulder. | PA Driver's Manual, p.47 | 6 Sep 2026 |
| Rhode Island | You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn. | Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.34 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| South Carolina | (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: 1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn. 2. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being travelled by the overtaking vehicle. | South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1850(a) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| South Dakota | The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event may such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. | South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-26-28 | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Tennessee | You may pass on the right on an unobstructed road wide enough for two or more lanes of moving traffic in each direction. | Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.62 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Texas | A driver may pass on the right only where the road is clear of parked vehicles and other obstructions and is wide enough for two or more lanes in each direction. | Texas Driver Handbook, p.39 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Utah | (1) Subject to Section 41-6a-718, the operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only: (a) when the vehicle overtaken is making or preparing to make a left turn; or (b) on a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | Utah law, Utah Code § 41-6a-705(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Vermont | A driver may pass on the right of another vehicle on a multilane road. On roads that are not multilane, you may pass on the right of a vehicle or bicycle that is turning or preparing to turn left, if there is room to go by safely. | 2025 Vermont Driver's Manual, p.52 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Virginia | You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead has signaled and is making a left turn, but not if you would have to leave the pavement to get around it. | Virginia Driver's Manual, p.17 | 6 Sep 2026 |
| Washington | (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. | Washington law, RCW 46.61.115(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| West Virginia | Passing on the right is not permissible unless there is a lane designated for passing. | West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, p.48 | 6 Sep 2026 |
| Wisconsin | The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting the movement in safety and only if the operator can do so while remaining on either the roadway or a paved shoulder, and then only under the following conditions: | Wisconsin law, Wis. Stat. § 346.08 | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Wyoming | You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn, but it is not legal to leave the pavement to do it. | Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, p.55 | 14 Sep 2026 |
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No rule found in the manual or code of: Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina.
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