346.05 Vehicles to be driven on right side of roadway; exceptions.

(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width the operator of a vehicle shall drive on the right half of the roadway and in the right-hand lane of a 3-lane highway, except:

(a) When making an approach for a left turn or U-turn under circumstances in which the rules relating to left turns or U-turns require driving on the left half of the roadway; or

(b) When overtaking and passing under circumstances in which the rules relating to overtaking and passing permit or require driving on the left half of the roadway; or

(c) When the right half of the roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair; or

(d) When overtaking and passing pedestrians, animals or obstructions on the right half of the roadway; or

(e) When driving in a particular lane in accordance with signs or pavement markings designating such lane for traffic moving in a particular direction or at designated speeds; or

(f) When the roadway has been designated and posted for one-way traffic, subject, however, to the rule stated in sub. (3) relative to slow moving vehicles.

(g) If the vehicle is a wide implement of husbandry, as defined in s. 347.24 (3) (a), being operated in compliance with any applicable requirement under s. 347.24 (3), 347.245 (1), or 347.25 (2g), and the vehicle is operated as much as practicable on the right half of the roadway and in the right-hand lane of a 3-lane highway, a portion of the vehicle may extend over the center of the roadway into any lane intended for travel in the opposite direction and may extend into any passing lane of a 3-lane highway. A wide implement of husbandry operated as described in this paragraph is subject to any restriction under ss. 346.06, 346.09 (2) and (3), and 346.59.

(1m) Notwithstanding sub. (1), any person operating a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device may ride on the shoulder of a highway unless such riding is prohibited by the authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway.

(2) The operator of a vehicle actually engaged in constructing or maintaining the highway may operate on the left-hand side of the highway; however, whenever such operation takes place during the hours of darkness the vehicle shall be lighted as required by s. 347.23.

(3) Any vehicle proceeding upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn or U-turn at an intersection or a left turn into a private road or driveway, and except as provided in s. 346.072.

History: 1995 a. 138; 2001 a. 15, 90; 2009 a. 97; 2013 a. 377; 2015 a. 124; 2019 a. 11.

Cross-reference: See s. 346.59 for minimum speed regulation and duty of slow drivers.

The defendant was driving on the wrong side of the road under this section when he momentarily crossed the center of the road. State v. Popke, 2009 WI 37, 317 Wis. 2d 118, 765 N.W.2d 569, 08-0446.