New Hampshire § 265:16 Drive on Right Side of Roadway;  Exceptions

New Hampshire Statutes

§ 265:16 — Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions

New Hampshire § 265:16

Title XXIMOTOR VEHICLES

Ch. 265RULES OF THE ROAD

SubdivisionTraffic Signs, Signals and Markings

This text of New Hampshire § 265:16 (Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Hampshire primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265:16 (2026).

Text

I. Upon all roadways of sufficient width 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 such movement;

(b)When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the way; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the way within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

(c)Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;

(d)Upon a city street designated and signposted for one-way traffic. II. Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffi

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I. Upon all roadways of sufficient width 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 such movement;
(b) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the way; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the way within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;
(c) Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
(d) Upon a city street designated and signposted for one-way traffic.
II. Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing 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 another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
III. Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under I(b) hereof.
IV. Motor vehicles shall not be operated continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway whenever it impedes the flow of other traffic at or below the posted speed limit unless reasonable and prudent under the conditions having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.
V. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined $50 plus penalty assessment.