Fail to drive on right half of roadway
Florida Statute § 316.081
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
On a roadway wide enough for two-way traffic, vehicles generally must use the right half. Exceptions include lawful passing, an obstruction requiring a left-side movement with yielding to oncoming traffic, designated three-lane operation, and one-way traffic. Slower traffic generally belongs in the right lane except when passing or preparing a left turn. On multilane roads, a driver who knows or should know a faster vehicle is overtaking from behind must leave the far-left lane unless passing or preparing a left turn. Identify the applicable duty and exception.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Lane Use
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty; speeding/enhanced-zone schedules may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.