logo
Can you drive in the left lane without passing in NC? What the law says

Can you drive in the left lane without passing in NC? What the law says

Yahoo18-07-2025
One of the first things you learn before you get your driver's license in North Carolina is that the left lane is the passing lane.
In a perfect world, all drivers traveling below the speed limit stay in the right lane, allowing for those driving faster to safely pass them.
But driving in North Carolina for any amount of time will tell you that's not the case.
An easy solution to this problem would be to stay in the left lane to avoid getting stuck behind slow drivers. But is it legal to do that if you're not passing a vehicle?
Here's what you need to know.
Can you get a ticket for driving in the left lane without passing?
Yes, but only if officers have a reason to stop you, Master Trooper Christopher Casey of the N.C. State Highway Patrol told The Observer.
'It comes down to officer discretion and whether there has been a clear-cut, substantial violation of the law,' Casey said.
There's no state law that specifically prohibits drivers from driving in the left lane without passing, Casey said, but officers could issue tickets for other offenses, such as speeding or reckless driving.
Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly in the left lane?
Yes. But whether or not you'll get a ticket for driving slowly in the left lane depends on the officer who pulls you over, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
North Carolina law requires drivers moving slower than the speed limit to keep right — unless they're passing another vehicle or making a left turn. But the state doesn't have a specific law that makes it illegal to drive slowly in the left lane, Casey said.
But a bill the currently sits in the state House could change that.
House Bill 864 would make it illegal for a person to 'operate a motor vehicle in the left lane of a multilane highway at a speed that impedes the normal and reasonable movement of traffic,' meaning officers could issue citations to drivers traveling too slow in the passing lane, The News & Observer previously reported.
For now, drivers could face a citation for impeding traffic, which is prohibited under state law.
'You could get a ticket for it, but the officer would have to articulate what they were doing to impede traffic versus just not going as fast as someone wanted them to,' Casey said.
Driving well below the speed limit isn't automatically against the law, he added. 'In some cases, it's actually necessary.'
Can you get a ticket for speeding around a slow driver?
Even if you're stuck behind a slow driver, speeding to pass them isn't allowed in North Carolina — and you could get a ticket for it, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The state uses absolute speed limits, which means driving even slightly over the posted limit is a violation of the law. According to Coast to Coast NC Law Group, exceeding the speed limit can result in a misdemeanor charge.
Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team
Have a question about your community you'd like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you'd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
If you have a question about the Charlotte area, send The Charlotte Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form.
If you have a question about Raleigh or a Triangle area community, send The News & Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form.
It's almost tax-free weekend. Here's a list of places to shop near Charlotte
Charlotte ranked among most liveable cities in the world. See the full list
Solve the daily Crossword
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

3 Best Minivans Under $40K for 2025: Comfort, Value & MPG
3 Best Minivans Under $40K for 2025: Comfort, Value & MPG

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

3 Best Minivans Under $40K for 2025: Comfort, Value & MPG

Looking for a family-friendly vehicle that won't blow your budget? Minivans offer space, safety and comfort — and some of the best models now start under $40,000. Check Out: Read Next: To determine the best minivans overall, Consumer Reports weighed a number of variables, including a road test rating (determined by driving experience, cabin comfort and usability), reliability and owner satisfaction. These are the models that received high scores — and that won't break the bank. 2025 Kia Carnival Starting MSRP: $36,800 Overall score (out of 100): 79 Road test rating (out of 100): 83 Predicted reliability (out of 100): 68 Predicted owner satisfaction (out of 5): 3 MPG: 21 Be Aware: 2025 Toyota Sienna Starting MSRP: $39,485 Overall score (out of 100): 77 Road test rating (out of 100): 84 Predicted reliability (out of 100): 57 Predicted owner satisfaction (out of 5): 4 MPG: 36 2025 Chrysler Voyager Starting MSRP: $39,995 Overall score (out of 100): 69 Road test rating (out of 100): 81 Predicted reliability (out of 100): 42 Predicted owner satisfaction (out of 5): 2 MPG: 21 More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years This article originally appeared on 3 Best Minivans Under $40K for 2025: Comfort, Value & MPG

An Acura Integra Type R Just Sold for $204,000
An Acura Integra Type R Just Sold for $204,000

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

An Acura Integra Type R Just Sold for $204,000

I don't know precisely when it happened, but the Acura Integra Type R has become the bellwether and poster child for controversially valued modern enthusiast classics. My friend Caleb wrote about one with fewer than 2,000 miles on the odometer that sold for $63,800 back in 2018. That may have seemed like a lot back then, but the Gran Turismo staple has, regrettably, more than kept up with inflation. Today, a Phoenix Yellow example from 2001 with 4,800 recorded miles sold on Bring a Trailer for $204,204. This vehicle was one of 1,173 supposedly built for U.S. sale for its model year. It is absolutely pristine as you'd expect; a totally unmodified coupe with 25-year-old tires belonging to the RealTime Collection Hall, which may, in part, explain the astronomical sale price. Peter Cunningham's RealTime Racing famously dominated North American touring car competition with these, and if anyone knows how special the Integra Type R can be, that's the crew. Like all American Integra Type Rs, the high-revving 1.8-liter four-cylinder in this one makes 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque, and is connected to a five-speed manual. When new, this car cost $24,930, equivalent to $45,176 today. That inflation adjustment actually maps shockingly well onto a new Civic Type R, which will set you back no less than $47,045 in 2025 dollars. And you could afford four of those for what this Integra's third owner has paid for this car. Everything that could be said about this phenomenon of working-class performance cars encased in amber, trading hands for 911 Turbo figures, has pretty much been said before. Some will bemoan it. Others will take no position, throw their hands up, and say the market sets the value. And others still in the comments section will celebrate it, because they already own one or three. The Integra Type R deserves its vaunted status, as those lucky enough to have driven one would agree. A 2,400-pound curb weight, 8,400-rpm redline, and the front-wheel-drive chassis to which all will forever be compared will earn you that distinction. Everyone's got their line, though. If you asked me seven years ago what mine was, it's fair to assume it would have been lower than $63,000. But now, after this? $63K looks like a pretty good deal, and that's how a line gets moved. I would only spend that on a Japanese one with the better headlights, though. Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@

There's ONE Day Left To Buy This 5k-Mile 2001 Acura Integra Type R
There's ONE Day Left To Buy This 5k-Mile 2001 Acura Integra Type R

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

There's ONE Day Left To Buy This 5k-Mile 2001 Acura Integra Type R

There's ONE Day Left To Buy This 5k-Mile 2001 Acura Integra Type R originally appeared on Autoblog. Is there a more desirable Integra than this one? Probably not Although the current Acura Integra is a great car in isolation, it has failed to capture the imagination of Honda and Acura enthusiasts the way older Integras have, specifically the third-generation model that first arrived in the 1990s. Now, one of the most desirable Integras ever is up for auction on Bring A Trailer. This 2001 Type R has ultra-low miles, is in impeccable condition, and is one of not many to be built for the U.S. market. The combination of these factors has created a heated bidding war that is now deep into six figures. From Under $25k To At Least $120k View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article When purchased new in Illinois, this 2001 Acura Integra Type R had a total price of $24,930. Around 25 years later, the current bid for this iconic compact is sitting at $120,000. You can buy two brand-new Integra Type S models with a 355-horsepower V6 and still have plenty left over for that amount. There's still something irreplaceable about this 2001 model's four rounded headlights, sporty two-door shape, and cheeky rear wing, though, especially in this eye-catching Phoenix Yellow paint. The prominent Type R badging makes it instantly recognizable. Under the hood is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated for 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. The buzzy VTEC engine is paired to a sweet five-speed manual gearbox, and there's also a limited-slip differential. At the time, this was considered one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars available anywhere, a legacy that Honda continues to live up to with today's Civic Type R. The four-pot has covered just 4,800 miles, which is nothing for this feisty engine that can rev up to 8,400 rpm with Interior View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Inside, this Type R has a black cloth interior with red stitching on the seats, which also have microsuede inserts. The simple gauges show a tachometer that goes all the way up to 10,000 rpm, a wonderful reminder of high-revving, naturally-aspirated engines. The Acura comes with air conditioning, an audio system with six speakers, power windows, dual front airbags, power mirrors, and a center armrest with the Type R badge. This particular example is #1,086 of just 1,173 examples built for the United States, and it's hard to imagine that any of the others are in better shape. A clean CarFax report and title add peace of mind, as does the fact that the battery and hydraulic fluids were replaced in 2022. The engine oil was last changed back in 2020, so that's something the lucky new owner will want to look at, despite the low mileage. It's going to be fascinating to see if the winning bid exceeds $120k, and we'll know the answer to that soon. There's ONE Day Left To Buy This 5k-Mile 2001 Acura Integra Type R first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store