Lanes and Passing
Ala. Code § 32-5A-80 — keep right, and no more than 1.5 miles in an interstate's left lane without passing
- On a roadway wide enough, a vehicle drives on the right half, except to pass, to get around an obstruction, on a three lane road under its rules, or on a one way road.
- A vehicle going slower than the normal speed of traffic uses the right hand lane, or stays as close as practicable to the right edge, except when passing or getting ready for a left turn.
- On a two way road of four or more lanes, no vehicle drives left of the center line except where devices allow it, around an obstruction, or to turn left into an alley, a private road or a driveway.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
The left lane of an interstate. On an interstate, a vehicle does not stay in the leftmost lane for more than 1.5 miles without completely passing another vehicle. Congestion, bad weather, an obstruction or hazard, a law or device that requires it, a left exit, a toll, an emergency vehicle on duty, and highway work or a construction zone are the exceptions.
- A driver passes on the left at a safe distance, and does not move back to the right until safely clear of the vehicle passed.
- The driver being passed gives way to the right on an audible signal, and does not speed up until passed completely.
- Passing a cyclist riding within 2 feet of the right shoulder, a safe distance is at least 3 feet, on a roadway with a marked bicycle lane, or one with a limit of 45 miles per hour or less and no double yellow line.
On a roadway with marked lanes, a vehicle stays as nearly as practicable within one lane, and leaves it only after the driver has first made sure the move is safe. The center lane of a three lane, two way road is for passing with the lane clear, or for a left turn.
Sources for this section (3)
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-80 — Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-82 — Overtaking Vehicle on Left
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-88 — Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.