Tennessee's specific left-lane law is found in Tennessee Code Annotated §55-8-204, commonly known as the “Slow Poke Law.”
On interstates and multilane divided highways with two or more lanes traveling in each direction, a driver generally may not operate in the passing lane unless the driver is overtaking or passing a vehicle traveling in a nonpassing lane.
For purposes of the law, the passing lane is normally the farthest-left lane. When the farthest-left lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles during specified times, the passing lane is the lane immediately to its right.
The rule does not apply when traffic volume prevents a safe move into a nonpassing lane, when weather or an official traffic-control device makes left-lane travel necessary, when an obstruction or hazard exists in a lane to the right, or when the driver is avoiding traffic entering from a merging lane.
Drivers may also use the passing lane when highway design requires it for an exit or left turn. Authorized emergency vehicles performing official duties and vehicles engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations are also exempt.
Tennessee therefore has one of the clearer passing-lane laws: on qualifying interstates and divided highways, the left passing lane is generally reserved for overtaking rather than ordinary continuous travel.
Exceptions
- Overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in a nonpassing lane.
- Traffic volume prevents the driver from safely merging into a nonpassing lane.
- Inclement weather makes use of the passing lane necessary.
- An official traffic-control device requires use of the passing lane.
- Obstructions or hazards exist in a nonpassing lane.
- Moving left to avoid traffic entering from an acceleration or merging lane.
- Highway design requires use of the passing lane to exit or make a left turn.
- Authorized emergency vehicles performing official duties.
- Vehicles engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations.
Penalties
A violation of Tennessee's Slow Poke Law is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine only of $50.
The offense is treated as a moving traffic violation.
Official Source
Last verified: October 11, 2026