Right Hand Lane Violation on Highway or Freeway | CVC § 21650
California Vehicle code 21650 states:
Upon all highways, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing that movement.
(b) When placing a vehicle in a lawful position for, and when the vehicle is lawfully making, a left turn.
(c) When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic under construction or repair.
(d) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
(e) When the roadway is not of sufficient width.
(f) When the vehicle is necessarily traveling so slowly as to impede the normal movement of traffic, that portion of the highway adjacent to the right edge of the roadway may be utilized temporarily when in a condition permitting safe operation.
(g) This section does not prohibit the operation of bicycles on any shoulder of a highway, on any sidewalk, on any bicycle path within a highway, or along any crosswalk or bicycle path crossing, where the operation is not otherwise prohibited by this code or local ordinance.
Sometimes a traffic ticket is a result of a misunderstanding between the driver and the officer. If you were cited for CVC 21650 and making a right-hand turn this could be the case. When traveling on the highway in California if you are not passing another vehicle you should be traveling in the right hand lane to allow others to pass.
This could be perceived as a violation when it actually was a common misunderstanding
It is important whenever making a right lane merger the driver is aware of their surroundings and is using caution at all times.
A violation of California vehicle code 21560 can be successfully challenged if the right methods are utilized. Have questions, feel free to contact our expert team to discuss your options.
Construction area or roadway under repair?
Construction areas can be confusing for drivers especially if they are not set up correctly. Third party contractors working on the roadway are not always experts at setting up the cone patterns or vehicle flow paths. Sometimes cone patterns can be broken or incomplete forcing drivers to make tough decisions on which route is the intended path.
California Vehicle Code § 21650
One of the most fundamental rules of the roadway is to drive on the right-hand side. As drivers, it is a rule that we follow without much consideration from the time we learn to operate a vehicle.
California Vehicle Code § 21650 basically states that vehicles must be driven on the right side of all roadways except under certain circumstances.
Some of the notable exceptional circumstances include:
- Overtaking and passing another vehicle
- Positioning the vehicle for a lawful left turn
- If the right side of the road is blocked due to road construction
- Driving on a one-way street
- When the road is too narrow
There are a few additional exceptions as well, but for the most part, it is imperative to keep to the right half of the roadway.
If you received a citation and would like it dismissed click on the Get Started Section above.