I was driving in America and cars passed me on the right side, is it legal?

Question

In Europe it's illegal to pass on the right side, they can pass only on the left side, especially on the speed way. Is it legal in America?

I wasn't driving slow, i was driving at 70 miles per hour which is the maximum allowed.

Answer 1

Well, MOST of these people have it MOSTLY right.

The laws differ from state to state as to whether or not it is illegal to pass on the right in an open lane.

What IS illegal to do in ANY state is to pass on the shoulder (which is not a lane at all.) Even if there is someone making a left-hand turn across opposing traffic where there is no designated turn lane, all vehicles behind the turning vehicle must yield and stop for that vehicle until it has completed it's turn.
Good luck!

Answer 2

If you are on a limited access highway, typically there are several parallel lanes in which it is perfectly legal to pass on either side. Where illegality enters into it, is if someone crosses the yellow line vs. traffic coming the other way ... you can cross a dashed line, you may not cross a solid line ... or if the right side is not the regular highway.

Sometimes you will see a yellow dashed line along side a solid yellow line ... if the dashed is on your side, you may cross both, when passing. If the solid is on your side, you may not ... the purpose of this is related to visibility ahead, to see if it is safe to get into the on coming traffic for the purpose of going around people going the same way as you.

There is no law on this, but it is also common practice to flash our lheadlights to say "I am coming around you"

We are supposed to use turn signals when about to change or cross lanes.

The maximum posted speed.
I am sorry to say, but many Americans go way over that speed, and some police will ticket you for being a slow driver if that is going on ... the rules vary by state.

Let's suppose the maximum posted speed is 65 and most of the traffic is doing 75 but you are doing 65.
In some states you will get ticket for being slow driver.
In other states the other drivers will get ticket for speeding.

Answer 3

Doug K isn't perfectly right on that shoulder bit. It varies from state to state. In Texas if a car is stopped to make a left turn you may pas him, using the shoulder, if the shoulder is paved. If it's gravel or grass then it isn't allowed. Passing in the right lane is allowed in most places if it is a multilane road. The main reason people do it is because of the drivers who get in the left lane and stay there even though others are driving at a faster speed. Most states the rule is, "Keep right except to pass".

Answer 4

It is legal to pass on the right side when you are on a freeway/interstate/4 or more lane highways.

It is not legal to pass on the right side when on a two lane street. Say for instance, someone driving in front of you on two lane road is making a left turn and you have room on the right of them to squeeze by so you don't have to wait for them to turn. A lot of people will do it, but you're not suppose to, because what if someone is pulling out onto the highway just ahead of that car? It could be dangerous.

Answer 5

Your best bet is to just look at every craigslist in California especially the ones for Los Angeles, San Bernando, San Franscisco, and San Diego. Two to three times a month a Right-Hand Drive car pops up for sale that is already registered in the US. Its very hard to do unless you have connections with the DMV. I know people that have had their cars reposed by the government and the lucky ones that would just get rejected but at least get to still keep their car. If you want to import it yourself you will have to find an importer. Then get all the crash test data from contacting a dealer or honda of japan. You will also have to contact DOT and EPA for approval by sending them the crash testing documets. One of the biggest issues is the car has to be safe proof and cars in japan have weaker bumper supports. Also you will have to make sure there is driver and passanger airbag if the vechiles is 1996+.

Answer 6

Yes - that is of course that there is a lane. They can not legally pass on your right by using the shoulder. Regardless of your speed, once you are not passing anyone, you should pull to the right and free up the left lane. Most people do not realize that the left lane is for passing.

Answer 7

well if you are going slow and cars are having to pass you then you shouldn't be in the left lane. Slow traffic stays right and fast traffic or people who want to pass go left. I dont think it is illegal here but it is not as safe as passing on the left side.

Answer 8

not safe, not recommended, it is legal.

if you ask me, the person who should be arrested is the one who was in the left lane going too slow.

if i was driving a tour bus down the autobahn, and i was in the far left lane going 60km/h, you would pass me on the right.


oh and by the way, here in America, its not uncommon to see people pass on the shoulder.

on a few occasions i have passed in the middle of the two lanes... only because i was getting the "mormon roadblock"

Answer 9

What state are you in. In some states it is legal if there is room on the right hand side. But that also depends if you are on a surface street or a highway. You need to check the traffic laws of the state you are in.

Answer 10

going in your direction if there we're 2 lanes you can pass on whichever side seems fit. if there we're only one lane then passing should only be done on the left. passing someone on the right wouldn't make sense because it wouldn't even be the road they we're driving on. i guess i dont really get this question maybe? let me know if this was any help