# Transportation (GTR)

## Title 21. Vehicle Laws -- Rules of the Road

### Subtitle 3. Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Overtaking and Passing; Use of Roadway

#### Section 21-301

(a) On every roadway that is wide enough, a vehicle shall be driven on the right half of the roadway, except:

  (1) While overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction, under the rules governing this movement;

  (2) Where there is an obstruction that makes it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, but the driver of any vehicle doing so shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle that is traveling in the proper direction on the unobstructed part of the highway and is so near as to be an immediate danger;

  (3) On a roadway that is divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic, subject to the rules applicable to these roadways;

  (4) On a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic; or

  (5) On a roadway that is marked or signposted in a manner indicating that a contrary rule exists.

(b)

  (1) On every roadway, except while overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction or when preparing for a lawful left turn, any vehicle going 10 miles per hour or more below the applicable maximum speed limit or, if any existing conditions reasonably require a speed below that of the applicable maximum, at less than the normal speed of traffic under these conditions, 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.

  (2)

    (i)

      (1) A driver of a vehicle traveling slower than the general speed of traffic, if practicable as determined by the driver, shall drive in the right-hand lane or lanes.

      (2)

        (A) This paragraph establishes the policy of the State and guidance with respect to the rules of the road.

      (B) A person may not be issued a citation for a violation of this paragraph.

    (ii) The Administration shall include the requirement under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph in the State's driver education curriculum.

    (iii) The State Highway Administration shall inform drivers of the requirement under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph:

      (1) At the request of a local jurisdiction or on its own initiative, by placing and maintaining, in its sole discretion, signs at regular intervals on appropriate State highways; and

      (2) Through the dynamic message sign system located throughout the State, to the extent authorized by federal law and regulations.

(c)

  (1) On any roadway that is divided into four or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic and that provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle may not be driven on the left of the centerline of the roadway, except:

    (i) Where authorized by a traffic control device designating a lane to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use this lane; or

    (ii) As permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section.

  (2) This subsection does not prohibit the crossing of the centerline of a roadway while making a left turn into or from an alley or a private road or driveway.

#### Section 21-302

(a) Drivers of vehicles that are going in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right.

(b) If the roadway is not wide enough for more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other as nearly as possible at least one half of the roadway.

#### Section 21-303

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, this section governs the overtaking and passing of vehicles going in the same direction.

(b) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle that is going in the same direction shall pass to the left of the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance.

(c) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle that is going in the same direction, until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle, may not drive any part of his vehicle directly in front of the overtaken vehicle.

(d) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle, on audible signal, shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle.

(e) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle, until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle, may not increase the speed of his vehicle.

#### Section 21-304

(a) Subject to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:

  (1) If the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn;

  (2) On a highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and wide enough for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the same direction as the overtaking vehicle; or

  (3) On any one-way roadway, if the roadway is free from obstruction and wide enough for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle to the right only if it is safe to do so.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and for an operator of a bicycle or motor scooter, a person may not make the movement described under subsections (a) and (b) of this section by driving off the roadway.

  (2) The driver of a vehicle may make the movement described under subsections (a) and (b) of this section by driving outside the marked lane onto the shoulder to overtake and pass a vehicle that is making or about to make a left turn if the driver can do so without leaving the paved surface.

#### Section 21-305

(a)

  (1) The driver of a vehicle may not drive to the left of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction unless:

    (i) Authorized by this subtitle; and

    (ii) The left side of the roadway is clearly visible and is free of approaching traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completed without interfering with the operation of any other vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any other vehicle overtaken.

  (2) The overtaking vehicle shall return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, if the passing movement uses a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.

(b)

  (1) This subsection does not apply on a one-way roadway.

  (2) The driver of a vehicle may not drive on the left side of any roadway if:

    (i) The vehicle is approaching the crest of a grade or is on a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed for such a distance as to be dangerous should another vehicle approach from the opposite direction;

    (ii) The vehicle is crossing or approaching within 100 feet of any intersection or railroad grade crossing; or

    (iii) The driver's view is obstructed while approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.

#### Section 21-307

(a)

  (1) The State Highway Administration may determine those parts of any highway in its jurisdiction where overtaking and passing or driving on the left of the roadway would be especially dangerous and, by appropriate signs or markings on the roadway, may indicate the beginning and end of these zones.

  (2) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, where the signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant individual, every driver of a vehicle shall obey their directions.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, where signs or markings defining a no-passing zone are placed as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a driver may not drive on the left side of the roadway within the no-passing zone.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, where signs or markings defining a no-passing zone are placed as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a driver may not drive on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark the no-passing zone throughout its length.

(d) The driver of a vehicle may drive:

  (1) Across the left side of the roadway in a no-passing zone while making a left turn, but only if it is safe to do so; and

  (2) In accordance with Sec. 21-305 of this subtitle, on the left side of the roadway in a no-passing zone to make the minimum adjustment necessary to overtake and pass at a safe distance a bicycle traveling in the same direction while yielding to the right-of-way of the bicycle and oncoming traffic.

#### Section 21-308

(a)

  (1) The State Highway Administration may designate any highway or any separate roadway under its jurisdiction for one-way traffic and shall place appropriate signs giving notice of the designation.

  (2) On a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic, a vehicle may be driven only in the direction designated.

(b) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island may be driven only to the right of the island.

#### Section 21-309

(a) On any roadway that is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic, the following rules, in addition to any others consistent with them, apply.

(b) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not be moved from that lane or moved from a shoulder or bikeway into a lane until the driver has determined that it is safe to do so.

(c) On a roadway that is divided into three lanes and that provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle may not be driven in the center lane except:

  (1) While overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction and while the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance;

  (2) In preparing to make a left turn; or

  (3) When the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is going and the allocation is designated by a traffic control device.

(d) The driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that directs specified traffic to use a designated lane or that designates those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center of the roadway.

(e) The driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that prohibits changing lanes on sections of a roadway.

(f) On a roadway that has two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, the driver of any truck, truck tractor, trailer, or bus shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that requires the vehicle to be driven in a certain lane.

(g) On a roadway along which a two-way left turn lane has been provided through traffic control devices, vehicles may not enter that lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U-turn, and may enter only if the lane is clear of an opposing movement.

(h) A vehicle shall be driven within a lane described under subsection (g) of this section the shortest distance practicable prior to making a left turn or U-turn or after making a left turn.

(i) On roadways along which a two-way left turn lane has been placed, left turns shall be made only from within such lane.

#### Section 21-310

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the other vehicle and of the traffic on and the condition of the highway.

(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, whenever conditions permit, the driver of every truck, while traveling on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district and following any other truck or any other motor vehicle towing another vehicle, shall leave enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.

(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, whenever conditions permit, the driver of every motor vehicle towing another vehicle, while traveling on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district and following any other truck or any other motor vehicle towing another vehicle, shall leave enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.

(d) A truck or a motor vehicle towing another vehicle may overtake and pass any other vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(e)

  (1) This subsection does not apply to a funeral procession.

  (2) A motor vehicle being driven on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing another vehicle, shall be driven to allow enough space between each two vehicles or combination of vehicles so that any other vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.

(f)

  (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the driver of a nonlead truck in a group of trucks may travel without leaving enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space between the trucks if the trucks are:

    (i) Traveling in a unified manner with electronically coordinated speed and braking systems; and

    (ii) Operating in a reasonable and prudent manner with due regard for the speed of any other vehicles and of the traffic on and the condition of the highway.

  (2) The Administration shall adopt regulations to carry out this subsection, including regulations governing:

    (i) The number of trucks allowed in a group operating in a unified manner;

    (ii) The roadway conditions under which trucks may be operated in a unified manner;

    (iii) The required submission of a plan of operation by a person operating a truck in a unified manner; and

    (iv) The submission of any other information as required by the Administration for the purpose of evaluating safety issues relevant to the operation of trucks in a unified manner.

#### Section 21-311

On any divided highway:

(1) A vehicle may be driven only on the right-hand roadway, unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by a traffic control device or a police officer;

(2) A vehicle may not be driven over, across, or within the dividing space, barrier, or section except, unless specifically prohibited by public authority, through an opening in the space, barrier, or section or at a crossover or intersection; and

(3) A vehicle may not be driven on the median strip, unless permitted to do so by public authority.

#### Section 21-312

(a) A person may not drive a vehicle onto any controlled access highway except at the entrances and exits established by public authority.

(b) A person may not drive a vehicle from any controlled access highway except at the entrances and exits established by public authority.

#### Section 21-313

(a) The State Highway Administration, by order, or any local authority, by ordinance, may prohibit the use of any controlled access highway in its jurisdiction by parades, low speed vehicles, funeral processions, bicycles, or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a motorcycle.

(b) The County Commissioners of Charles County and Washington County and the governing body of Frederick County, by ordinance, may prohibit the use of any controlled access highway in the county's jurisdiction by any person to solicit money, donations of any kind, employment, business, or a ride from the occupant of any vehicle on the controlled access highway.

(c) The State Highway Administration or the local authority adopting any prohibition under this section shall place and maintain signs on the controlled access highway to which the prohibition is applicable. If signs are so placed, a person may not disobey the restrictions stated on them.

#### Section 21-314

(a) In this section, "HOV lane" means a high occupancy vehicle lane, the use of which is restricted by a traffic control device during specified times to vehicles carrying at least a specified number of occupants.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not drive a vehicle in an HOV lane unless authorized by a traffic control device.

(c) The following vehicles may be driven in an HOV lane at all times regardless of the number of passengers in or on the vehicle:

  (1) A bus;

  (2) A motorcycle;

  (3) A plug-in electric drive vehicle displaying a valid permit issued under Sec. 25-108 of this article; and

  (4) A tow truck that is properly registered in accordance with Sec. 13-920 of this article and is using any visual signal that meets the requirements of Sec. 22-218 of this article while responding to a call for service if an appropriate law enforcement agency has authorized the tow truck operator to use HOV lanes.

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Md. Code Ann., Transp. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)