Florida left lane bill bans driving in outside lane unless passing

Florida lawmakers are proposing a bill that would fine drivers who use the far-left lane for anything other than passing.
The bill, which is similar to one vetoed by Governor DeSantis last year, aims to improve traffic flow and safety on highways.
The bill includes exceptions for emergency vehicles, road hazards, and specific traffic conditions.

Heads up, drivers. Florida’s left-lane bill is back.

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a law that would fine anyone using the far-left lane on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or more for anything besides passing other vehicles, with some exceptions. But Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, saying the language was too broad and could lead to people being unnecessarily pulled over.

“In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed,” DeSantis said.

In February, the sponsor of the last bill, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, filed HB 351, a virtually identical bill with a bit more clarification. Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed an identical bill, SB 636.

“All of us who travel back and forth to Tallahassee experience frustration on the major highways and frustration caused by drivers impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane,” Persons-Mulicka said last year. “This creates a dangerous situation, when drivers unnecessarily camp out in the left lane. It leads to blocking traffic flow, less predictability, more encounters, more passing maneuvers and more opportunities for accidents.”

Current Florida law already prohibits drivers from using the left lane unless they are passing a slower-moving vehicle, directed to by authorities or required to by conditions. The bill defines what a left-hand lane is as far as the law is concerned and specifies exactly under what conditions left-hand lane use is allowed.

Over 84% of Florida drivers admit to misusing the left lane, according to legal firm Anidjar & Levine. There were 12,970 tickets issued for it in 2024, according to the firm, and each one carried a maximum fine of $75 and 3 points on your license. But enforcement was moderate, the firm said in an email.

The firm examined state laws on left-lane driving and found that the severity of the punishments and the inconsistency of their enforcement can be a problem. The strictest state was Virginia, where misusing the left lane can mean up to $2,500 in fines and potential jail time.

What is HB 351? Does it ban driving in the left lane in Florida?

Under the proposed bill, drivers would be prohibited from driving in the far left-hand lane or a roadway with two or more lanes and a posted speed limit of at least 65 mph unless:

You are overtaking and passing another vehicle
You’re about to exit the road, street or highway
You’ve been directed to by law enforcement or an official traffic control device
New this year: You’re required to do so due to the approach or presence of an authorized emergency vehicle, sanitation or utility service vehicle, wrecker, road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle, or the presence of a disabled motor vehicle
New this year: Environmental or traffic conditions dictate it

This does not apply to emergency, maintenance or construction vehicles, and drivers would still be permitted to use the left lane to avoid obstructions in the road.

Under this year’s version of the bill, the Department of Transportation will designate the areas of roadways where the law applies and install signage letting motorists know about it.