Restricted use of left-hand lane on divided limited access highways

(a) On any divided limited access highway that provides more than two lanes for traffic proceeding in the same direction, no operator of any motor vehicle with a commercial registration, motor bus, vehicle with trailer or school bus shall drive in the extreme left lane where the Office of the State Traffic Administration so designates, except (1) on the direction of a police officer, or (2) when access to or egress from such highway is provided on the left, in which latter case such operator shall drive in such left lane only for such period as is reasonably necessary to enter or leave such highway safely. (b) On and after October 1, 2026, any divided limited access highway that provides more than two lanes for traffic proceeding in the same direction, no operator of a motor vehicle, other than a motor vehicle subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall drive in the extreme left lane, except (1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle, (2) on the direction of a police officer, (3) when access to or egress from such highway is provided on the left, in which latter case such operator shall drive in such left lane only for such period as is reasonably necessary to enter or leave such highway safely, (4) if such motor vehicle is an emergency vehicle operating pursuant to section 14-283, (5) if the operator is engaged in the maintenance, repair or construction of such highway, or (6) when traffic congestion makes driving in the extreme left lane necessary. (c) On and after October 1, 2026, the Office of the State Traffic Administration shall erect or cause to be erected signs on divided limited access highways that provide more than two lanes for traffic proceeding in the same direction that inform motor vehicle operators of the restricted use of the extreme left lane on such highways pursuant to the provisions this section. Any such sign shall conform with the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, as amended from time to time. (d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined eighty-eight dollars.