Driving in the Left Lane in Texas? You Might Be Breaking the Law

Driving in Texas can be compared to playing Mario Cart. For instance, driving in Amarillo can be more frightening than driving in Dallas. Other drivers do not allow you to merge or change lanes. Driving through Houston can also be challenging, and it can feel like you're asking for divine intervention to keep you safe on the road.

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Out on the open road in Texas

Traveling from city to city, you are on a very long stretch of road.  The speed limit is usually 75 mph, but you know everyone is going 80.  However, there is always that one person who decides to stay in the left lane when they are traveling in Texas.

The one car that is going a little over the speed limit.  Just enough to stay ahead of the car in the right lane, but not enough to be in front of the car in the right lane.  They block traffic in the left lane because they won't speed up.

"I'm driving the speed limit, get off my [butt]"

That's usually the mantra of the driver driving too slow in the left lane and not allowing others to pass.  The left lane is there for a reason and it is not to camp out or for taking your Sunday drive. It's there for passing, and passing only.

It Is Illegal to Drive in the Left Lane in Texas

Yep, the left lane is for passing only.  It's not a lane to drive in.  It's meant for those traveling at a higher rate of speed to pass traffic that is going slower in the right lane.

Texas Slowpoke Law

The Texas Transportation Code Title 7 Sec. 545.051 states that drivers should remain in the right lane of the road and use the left lane when:

(1) the operator is passing another vehicle;
(2) an obstruction necessitates moving the vehicle left of the center of the roadway and the operator yields the right of way to a vehicle that:

(a) is moving in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the roadway; and
(b) is an immediate hazard;

(3) the operator is on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic; or
(4) the operator is on a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

If caught impeding the left lane you could receive a fine up to $200.

If you are driving slower than the traffic behind you in the left lane, move over!