<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>67611</law_id><section_number>46.2-804</section_number><catch_line>Special regulations applicable on highways laned for traffic; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-868.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Regulation of Traffic</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General and Miscellaneous</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>For the purposes of this section, &#x201C;traffic lines&#x201D; includes any temporary <span class="dictionary">traffic control devices</span> used to emulate the lines and markings in subdivisions 6 and 7.
		Whenever any <span class="dictionary">roadway</span> has been divided into clearly marked <span class="dictionary">lanes</span> for traffic, <span class="dictionary">drivers</span> of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> shall obey the following:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the <span class="dictionary">lane</span> nearest the right edge or right curb of the <span class="dictionary">highway</span> when such <span class="dictionary">lane</span> is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> or in preparation for a left turn or where right <span class="dictionary">lanes</span> are reserved for slow-moving traffic as permitted in this section; <a id="paragraph-244946" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> shall be driven as nearly as is practicable entirely within a single <span class="dictionary">lane</span> and shall not be moved from that <span class="dictionary">lane</span> until the <span class="dictionary">driver</span> has ascertained that such movement can be made safely; <a id="paragraph-244947" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, on a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> which is divided into three <span class="dictionary">lanes</span>, no <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> shall be driven in the center <span class="dictionary">lane</span> except when overtaking and passing another <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> or in preparation for a left turn or unless such center <span class="dictionary">lane</span> is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> is proceeding and is signed or marked to give notice of such allocation. Traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a designated <span class="dictionary">lane</span> or designating those <span class="dictionary">lanes</span> to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the <span class="dictionary">roadway</span> and <span class="dictionary">drivers</span> of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> shall obey the directions of every such device; <a id="paragraph-244948" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Highways</span></span>, or local authorities in their respective <span class="dictionary">jurisdictions</span>, may designate right <span class="dictionary">lanes</span> for slow-moving <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> and the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Transportation shall post signs requiring <span class="dictionary">trucks</span> and combination <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> to keep to the right on Interstate <span class="dictionary">Highway</span> System components with no more than two travel <span class="dictionary">lanes</span> in each direction where terrain is likely to slow the speed of such <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> climbing hills and inclines to a speed that is less than the posted speed limit; <a id="paragraph-244949" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Wherever a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> is marked with double traffic lines consisting of a solid line immediately adjacent to a broken line, no <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> shall be driven to the left of such line if the solid line is on the right of the broken line, except (i) when turning left for the purpose of entering or leaving a public, private, or commercial road or entrance or (ii) in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to pass a pedestrian or a device moved by human power, including a <span class="dictionary">bicycle</span>, skateboard, or foot-scooter, provided such movement can be made safely. Where the middle <span class="dictionary">lane</span> of a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> is marked on both sides with a solid line immediately adjacent to a broken line, such middle <span class="dictionary">lane</span> shall be considered a left-turn or holding <span class="dictionary">lane</span> and it shall be lawful to drive to the left of such line if the solid line is on the right of the broken line for the purpose of turning left into any road or entrance, provided that the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> may not travel in such <span class="dictionary">lane</span> further than 150 feet; <a id="paragraph-244950" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Wherever a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> is marked with double traffic lines consisting of two immediately adjacent solid yellow lines, no <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> shall be driven to the left of such lines, except (i) when turning left or (ii) in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to pass a pedestrian or a device moved by human power, including a <span class="dictionary">bicycle</span>, skateboard, or foot-scooter, provided such movement can be made safely; and <a id="paragraph-244951" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Whenever a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> is marked with double traffic lines consisting of two immediately adjacent solid white lines, no <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> shall cross such lines.
			A violation of this section is punishable by a fine of $100. <a id="paragraph-244952" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-804/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-222; 1952, c. 671; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-206; 1962, c. 87; 1979, c. 25; 1985, c. 481; 1989, c. 727; 2007, c. 501; 2013, cc. 128, 400, 585, 646; 2015, c. 416; 2017, c. 795.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
