{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-841.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-841.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-841.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-841.html"}],"law_id":57236,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57236,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-841","catch_line":"When overtaking vehicle may pass on right","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-226; 1952, c. 666; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-210; 1985, c. 481; 1989, c. 727; 2020, c. 1259.","full_text":"A\n\nThe driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:1\n\nWhen the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver has given the required signal;2\n\nOn a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;3\n\nOn a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.B\n\nThe driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.C\n\nNotwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a driver of a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in § 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, as directed by a law-enforcement officer, or where the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":209663,"text":"The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":209664,"text":"When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver has given the required signal;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":209665,"text":"On a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":209666,"text":"On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":209667,"text":"The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":209668,"text":"Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a driver of a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in § 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, as directed by a law-enforcement officer, or where the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14283,"edition_id":1,"name":"Passing","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:36","permalink":{"id":230801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14283,"identifier":"4","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66732,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-837","catch_line":"Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions","url":"\/46.2-837\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-837","metadata":false},{"id":55642,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-838","catch_line":"Passing when overtaking a vehicle","url":"\/46.2-838\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-838","metadata":false},{"id":76605,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-839","catch_line":"Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle","url":"\/46.2-839\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-839","metadata":false},{"id":63992,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-840","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-840\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-840","metadata":false},{"id":57236,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-841","catch_line":"When overtaking vehicle may pass on right","url":"\/46.2-841\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-841","metadata":false},{"id":55552,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-842","catch_line":"Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle","url":"\/46.2-842\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-842","metadata":false},{"id":81994,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-842.1","catch_line":"Drivers to give way to certain overtaking vehicles on divided highways","url":"\/46.2-842.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-842.1","metadata":false},{"id":67851,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-843","catch_line":"Limitations on overtaking and passing","url":"\/46.2-843\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-843","metadata":false},{"id":69210,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-844","catch_line":"Passing stopped school buses; prima facie evidence; penalty","url":"\/46.2-844\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-844","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63992,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-840","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-840\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-840","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55552,"structure_id":14283,"section_number":"46.2-842","catch_line":"Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle","url":"\/46.2-842\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-842","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-841\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 666; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1985, chapter 481; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2020, chapter 1259<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64733,"section_number":"46.2-868.1","catch_line":"Aggressive driving; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-868.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74430,"section_number":"46.2-1210","catch_line":"Motor vehicles immobilized by weather conditions, accidents, or emergencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1210\/"},{"id":62123,"section_number":"46.2-1212.1","catch_line":"Authority to provide for removal and disposition of vehicles and cargoes of vehicles involved in accidents","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1212.1\/"},{"id":79642,"section_number":"46.2-920.1","catch_line":"Operation of tow trucks or vehicles owned or controlled by the Department of Transportation under certain circumstances; incident management","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-920.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":230819,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57236,"identifier":"46.2-841","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-841","url":"\/46.2-841\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-841\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/4\/46.2-841","dublin_core":{"Title":"When overtaking vehicle may pass on right","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-841","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The driver<\/span> of a vehicle<\/span> may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle<\/span> only: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> When the overtaken vehicle<\/span> is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver<\/span> has given the required signal; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> On a highway<\/span> with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles<\/span>, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles<\/span> in each direction; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway<\/span> when the roadway<\/span> is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The driver<\/span> of a vehicle<\/span> may overtake and pass another vehicle<\/span> on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders<\/span> is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder<\/span> of the highway<\/span> or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a driver<\/span> of a motor vehicle<\/span> to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane<\/span> to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in § 46.2-920.1<\/a>, 46.2-1210<\/a>, or 46.2-1212.1<\/a>, as directed by a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, or where the roadway<\/span> is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN OVERTAKING VEHICLE MAY PASS ON RIGHT (\u00a7 46.2-841)\n\nA. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle\nonly:\n\n 1. When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its\n driver has given the required signal;\n\n 2. On a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles,\n of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each\n direction;\n\n 3. On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from\n obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.\n\nB. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right\nonly under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving\non paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall\nbe made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main\ntraveled portion of the roadway.\n\nC. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a\ndriver of a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to\npass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in §\n46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, as directed by a law-enforcement officer,\nor where the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an\naccident, or an emergency situation.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-226; 1952, c. 666; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-210; 1985, c.\n481; 1989, c. 727; 2020, c. 1259.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}