Oregon · Through 2025 Edition

ORS 811.380: Improper use of center lane on three-lane road; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of improper use of the center lane on a three-lane road if the person is operating a vehicle upon a roadway divided into three clearly marked lanes for traffic with two-way movement of traffic permitted on the roadway and the person operates the vehicle in the center lane under any circumstances other than as permitted under the following:
      (a) The driver may drive in the center lane when the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the driver is proceeding by a traffic control device directing the lane allocation.
      (b) The driver may drive in the center lane when the driver is overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance.
      (c) The driver may drive in the center lane when making a left turn.
      (2) The offense described in this section, improper use of center lane on three-lane road, is a Class B traffic violation.

Where this section sits in the code

19 - Utilities, Vehicle Code, Watercraft, Aviation
59. Oregon Vehicle Code
Chapter 811 — Rules of the Road for Drivers

(a) The driver may drive in the center lane when the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the driver is proceeding by a traffic control device directing the lane allocation.

(b) The driver may drive in the center lane when the driver is overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance.

(2) The offense described in this section, improper use of center lane on three-lane road, is a Class B traffic violation.

Collected 2026-09-03T23:50:18Z. Source file · JSON

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