Can You Legally Pass on the Right in Missouri? It Depends

When I was learning to drive when I was in high school in Missouri, I was made to believe that passing on the right was a no-no. What does the law say though? You might be surprised that it's actually more complicated than you might think.

Get our free mobile app

I am not a lawyer and many don't like how I drive. With that disclaimer out of the way, the state of Missouri lays out the scenarios where it is legal to pass on the right. It's Missouri statute 304.016. Under this statute, there are 4 different scenarios where it is legal to pass another vehicle by overtaking in the right lane:

1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

2. Upon a city street with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles in each direction;

3. Upon a one-way street;

4. Upon any highway outside of a city with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for four or more lines of traffic. The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under the foregoing conditions when such movement may be made in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or main traveled portion of the roadway. The provisions of this subsection shall not relieve the driver of a slow-moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway.

It's #4 that is complicated. My understanding is if there is a slow vehicle that is not making an attempt to move to the right lane and it is driving below the speed limit, the overtaking vehicle may pass in the right lane as long as they don't have to exceed the speed limit and they can make the pass safely. It's also interesting that the driver that is remaining in the left lane and not abiding by the requirement to stay in the right lane when not passing can still be pulled over by law enforcement. In other words "this subsection shall not relieve the driver of the slow-moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely to the right-hand edge of the roadway".

Back to that part where I am not a lawyer, so don't solely rely on my research and/or interpretation. Check the Missouri statute for yourself for specifics, details and potential updates.