Passing laneUnited States

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Traffic signs

Traffic rules

United States

98. Passing lane

A passing lane is a traffic lane primarily used for overtaking slower vehicles travelling in the same direction. On roads with several lanes in each direction, it is normally the lane farther from the side used for ordinary driving.

In countries where traffic keeps right, the passing lane is generally on the left; in countries where traffic keeps left, it is generally on the right. Drivers should return to the normal travel lane after overtaking when required by local traffic rules.

Vehicle overtaking on southbound Interstate 15 near Santaquin. (Utah, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Garrett • CC BY

What is a passing lane?

A passing lane is a lane used primarily to overtake slower vehicles travelling in the same direction.

Which side is the passing lane on?

It depends on the country's driving side. In countries with right-hand traffic it is generally the left lane, while in countries with left-hand traffic it is generally the right lane.

Can you remain in the passing lane after overtaking?

The exact rules vary between countries, but drivers are commonly expected to return to the normal travel lane after completing an overtake when it is safe and required.

Two-way traffic

Street gutter

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...