This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.

RSA 265:16 · Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions

Title: XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter: 265 · RULES OF THE ROAD
Status: current
Official source linked: Yes

Official source Copy section link

265:16 Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions. –

Copy link

Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

Copy link

(a)

When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

Copy link

(b)

When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the way; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the way within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

Copy link

(c)

Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;

Copy link

(d)

Upon a city street designated and signposted for one-way traffic.

Copy link

II.

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing 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, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

Copy link

III.

Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under I(b) hereof.

Copy link

IV.

Motor vehicles shall not be operated continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway whenever it impedes the flow of other traffic at or below the posted speed limit unless reasonable and prudent under the conditions having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.

Copy link

Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined $50 plus penalty assessment. Source. RSA 262-A:15. 1963, 330:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. 2018, 281:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.

Copy link

Source note

Source. RSA 262-A:15. 1963, 330:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. 2018, 281:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.

Source history

1963, 330:1
1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982
2018, 281:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019
RSA 262-A:15

Related materials

Bill relationships

2026 HB1209 amend
bus stops. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Prohibition on Crossing Traffic at School Bus Stops. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 57 the following new section: 265:57-a Prohibition on Crossing Traffic at School Bus Stops. Each school district and school bus operator shall ensure that school bus stops are located so t
2026 HB1222 amend
g all obstructions to public crosswalks. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Pedestrians on Roadway. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 39 the following new section: 265:39-a Obstruction of Public Crosswalks Prohibited. I. No person shall willfully or negligently block, obstruct, or otherwise impede the normal operation or
2026 HB1410 amend · effective 2026-07-01
III. Failure to provide this disclosure constitutes prima facie evidence of a deceptive trade practice under RSA 358-A:2. 3 New Sections; Operation and Classification. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 144-a the following new sections: 265:144-b Operation and Classification of Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles. I. An OCEV shall not be operated on any public way or non-motorized rail trail
2026 HB1410-FN amend · effective 2026-07-01
III. Failure to provide this disclosure constitutes prima facie evidence of a deceptive trade practice under RSA 358-A:2. 3 New Sections; Operation and Classification. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 144-a the following new sections: 265:144-b Operation and Classification of Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles. I. An OCEV shall not be operated on any public way or non-motorized rail trail
2026 HB1533 amend · effective 2026-05-01
undment of any electric bicycle for a period of a minimum of 15 days, but not to exceed 30 days. 2 New Sections; Learner's Permits; Registration Processes; Established. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 146 the following new sections: 265:146-a Class 3 Electric Bicycle Learner's Permit. Upon application, the department of safety shall issue a class 3 electric bicycle learner's permit to
2026 HB1533-FN amend · effective 2026-05-01
undment of any electric bicycle for a period of a minimum of 15 days, but not to exceed 30 days. 2 New Sections; Learner's Permits; Registration Processes; Established. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 146 the following new sections: 265:146-a Class 3 Electric Bicycle Learner's Permit. Upon application, the department of safety shall issue a class 3 electric bicycle learner's permit to
2026 HB1686 amend · effective 2027-01-01
otor vehicle offenses. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; Intelligent Speed Assistance Program. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 79-c the following new subdivision: Intelligent Speed Assistance Program 265:79-d Intelligent Speed Assistance Required for Certain Offenders. I. For purposes of this subdivision, "intell
2026 HB1686-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01
otor vehicle offenses. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; Intelligent Speed Assistance Program. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 79-c the following new subdivision: Intelligent Speed Assistance Program 265:79-d Intelligent Speed Assistance Required for Certain Offenders. I. For purposes of this subdivision, "intell
2026 HB1703 amend
adways. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Registration of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles; Penalty. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 144-a the following new section: RSA 265:144-b Registration of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles; Penalty. All bicycles and electric bicycles, if operated on a public way shall be registered w
2026 HB1703-FN amend
adways. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Registration of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles; Penalty. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 144-a the following new section: RSA 265:144-b Registration of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles; Penalty. All bicycles and electric bicycles, if operated on a public way shall be registered w
2026 HB1785 amend
tier 1 highways. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Mileage-Based Exit Numbers on Tier I Highways. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 22 the following new section: 265:22-a Mileage-Based Exit Numbers on Tier I Highways. All tier I highways in New Hampshire, excluding Interstate 393, shall have exit numbering that conforms
2026 HB1785-FN amend
tier 1 highways. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Mileage-Based Exit Numbers on Tier I Highways. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 22 the following new section: 265:22-a Mileage-Based Exit Numbers on Tier I Highways. All tier I highways in New Hampshire, excluding Interstate 393, shall have exit numbering that conforms

Opinions and discipline decisions mentioning this RSA

2016-0235, The State of New Hampshire v. Andrew Robbins Supreme Court opinion · September 21, 2017