Staying In Your Lane
Wis. Stat. 346.13 — as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane, and no deviation without checking the traffic behind
Within a single lane. On a roadway divided into 2 or more clearly indicated lanes, including lanes marked by longitudinal joints, the operator drives as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane, and does not deviate from it without first ascertaining that the movement can be made with safety to vehicles approaching from the rear.
The standard the section writes is as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane, with any move out of the lane waiting until it can be made safely. How courts apply those words to a brief touch of a line is not on this page.
The center lane of 3. On a two way roadway divided into 3 lanes, an operator does not drive in the center lane except when overtaking and passing where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear, preparing for a left turn or U-turn, or where it is allocated to the vehicle's direction and marked or posted.
Long or wide vehicles at a roundabout. An operator of a vehicle or combination with a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet may, with due regard for other traffic, deviate from the lane as needed to approach and drive through a roundabout.
Whether a particular drift over a line was a violation, or a reason for a stop, depends on the facts and on how the courts read the words as nearly as practicable, and is a question for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 346.13 — Driving on roadways laned for traffic
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.