§ 32:71 — Driving on right side of road; exceptions

§71. Driving on right side of road; exceptions
A. Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half
of the roadway, except as follows:
(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
under the rules governing such movement, including passing lanes;
(2) When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or
repair;
(3) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.
B.(1)(a) Upon all multilane highways, no vehicle shall be driven in the left-hand lane
except when directed otherwise, preparing for a left turn at an intersection or private road or
driveway, overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when
right-hand lanes are congested; however, no vehicle being driven in the left lane except when
directed otherwise or preparing for a left turn at an intersection, private road, or driveway
shall impede any other vehicle that is traveling in the same lane and behind that vehicle.
(b) Upon all multilane highways, no vehicle traveling in the left-hand lane shall be
driven at a speed slower than any vehicle traveling to its right on the same roadway.
(c) Upon all multilane highways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed
of traffic at the time and place and under the circumstances then existing, shall be driven in
the right-hand lane then available for traffic except when preparing for a left turn at an
intersection or into a private road or driveway, or passing or overtaking a vehicle proceeding
in the same direction, if passing on the left side of it. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to authorize driving any vehicle in the left lane so as to prohibit, impede, or block
passage of an overtaking vehicle in such lane and in such event the vehicle in the left lane
prohibiting, impeding, or blocking passage of an overtaking vehicle shall expeditiously
merge into the right lane of traffic.
(d) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply during a declared state of
emergency when contraflow has been activated.
(2) Any vehicle proceeding on a multilane highway at a speed slower than the posted
maximum speed limit shall be driven in the right hand lane then available for traffic, or as
close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking
and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at
an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Persons in violation of this Paragraph shall
be punished as follows:
(a) A fine of one hundred fifty dollars for the first offense.
(b) A fine of two hundred fifty dollars for a second subsequent offense within a
twelve-month period of the first offense.
(c) A fine of three hundred fifty dollars for a third subsequent offense within a
twelve-month period of the first offense or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or
both.
C. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, is
directed to include a summary of this Section in any instructional publication for drivers.
D. The Department of Transportation and Development is directed to place signs on
multilane highways, in an effort to make motorists aware of the provisions provided for in
this Section.
E. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the Department of Transportation
and Development are directed to cooperatively develop and engage a public awareness
campaign to notify motorists of the provisions of this Section.

Legislative History

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1970, No. 608, §1; Acts 1975, No. 290, §1; Acts 1988, No. 246, §1; Acts 2009, No. 190, §1; Acts 2025, No. 24, §1.