# Can you go around a vehicle making a left turn by using the shoulder of the road? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195 "2024-06-20T19:23:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/1 "2024-06-20T19:23:14Z")
Sorry, guys, I had recently deleted my thread on this matter as I thought I had found the answer elsewhere. But sadly, this seems to be an ongoing issue. My understanding of the road rules concerning this matter is that you cannot **pass** another vehicle using the shoulder of the road, neither should you use the shoulder of the road except directed by an authorized official, such as police officer or a flag person, and/or a posted sign. The shoulder is for pulling over in emergency cases, such as having a flat tire, being pulled over by a police officer, etc. What isn’t mentioned is whether it’s legal to go around a vehicle in front of you making a left turn by using the shoulder of the road. I see this happening everyday ( I’m also guilty of traveling on the shoulder to go around another vehicle making a left turn). What’s your knowledge of this issue ? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/2 "2024-06-20T19:36:36Z")
Give it up . This is Cartalk not Drivers Ed . And since I don’t live in New York state it matters not what I think . ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/3 "2024-06-20T20:10:18Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > What’s your knowledge of this issue ? It’s only illegal when you get caught, and then you get a ticket… in my area anyway… Check your local and states laws on the matter… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/4 "2024-06-20T20:10:55Z")
I’m not sure of the legal technicalities, probably depends on you, the other driver, and the police officer all agreeing on the def’n of “shoulder”. Uncommon here, but very common in rural areas of Colorado. Whenever passing another car extra caution is required of course. I’ve had near accidents for this a reason when riding my bicycle. For example if there’s a red light I have to move the bicycle into and stop in the through lane at intersections, so to trip the traffic light sensor. When the light turns green vehicle traffic --& often other bicyclists — sometimes try to pass me on the right. This occurs at the same time I’m trying to move to the right to get out of the way of the through traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/5 "2024-06-20T20:18:59Z")
Nope. Shoulder is were nails are. ---
**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/6 "2024-06-20T20:27:00Z")
Generally, there’s a solid white line marking the edge of the road. Crossing that line to pass a stopped car waiting to turn left is illegal. Check your local laws. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/7 "2024-06-20T20:32:16Z")
I do pass on the shoulder for a left turning vehicle. I don’t do it at full speed. I am always aware of my mirrors…especially the right hand one. It helps keep traffic moving. I don’t care if it illegal or not. If some LEO wants to ticket me after I explain why I did it, I’ll smile and accept the fine. But I’ll keep doing it. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/8 "2024-06-20T21:52:13Z")
I got into an accident once doing that and it turned out to be my fault according to the police. Even though the person that hit me was attempting to do the same thing. Two cars with left turn signals on, so I decide to go around them on the right. Then the second car changes their mind and drives into the side of my vehicle. I received a ticket. Not sure if the other guy did but if there is justice in this world, he should have too. The cop told me in no uncertain terms- it is illegal to pass on the right unless there is a dedicated lane to occupy. I still do it but like Mustangman, I am very careful and go around very slowly… ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/9 "2024-06-20T22:06:51Z")
Let’s see… 1. Wait a few minutes for the left turn driver to make the turn or, 2. Run the risk of shoulder trash ruining your tires, running into car from the opposite direction making a left turn or a bicyclist heading straight and the possibility of spending an hour in traffic court, a fine and an insurance hike. Don’t know about anyone else but my time’s not worth $100 a minute 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/10 "2024-06-20T22:12:33Z")
You can, whether you may or not. Thr trick is to make sure the person is going to turn left. A neighbor was turning right into his driveway but the car behind him went around on the right side. Yeah they hit. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/11 "2024-06-21T00:18:07Z")
My understanding has always been - in the state of VA - that you can legally pass on the right in that case if you don’t leave the pavement. But I’m not an expert on VA law either. I don’t even know where I go that. I’ve just been driving that way … well, since I’ve been driving. I’m also a completely situational driver. I probably wouldn’t do 2 left turners at once (as TwinTurbo did). But that might be mostly because where I am, I would run out of paved shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/12 "2024-06-21T10:49:51Z")
It’s the land of the free - pass where you feel like! 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/13 "2024-06-21T11:59:21Z")
We had one road that the shoulder had a path in the dirt from vehicles passing cars making a left turn. Eventually the city paved the path. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/14 "2024-06-23T20:42:43Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > I do pass on the shoulder for a left turning vehicle. I don’t do it at full speed. I am always aware of my mirrors…especially the right hand one. It helps keep traffic moving. > > I don’t care if it illegal or not. If some LEO wants to ticket me after I explain why I did it, I’ll smile and accept the fine. But I’ll keep doing it. I saw a cop relaxing at the park today and decided to approach him with the matter of this topic and this was what he said after I asked him if going around a vehicle making a left turn by using the shoulder of the road is a violation of road conduct: “ If you go around and cause an accident, yes — you’ll be liable . But if you go around and I see you do this and you don’t interfere with traffic, I will not pull you over for it. It’s not an enforceable offense .” ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/15 "2024-06-23T22:24:11Z")
OK, you have one officer who does not care about passing a stopped turning vehicle by driving on the shoulder . But there may be several that do not like that practice . ---
**Author:** ![sheridanpaul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@sheridanpaul](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sheridanpaul)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2024, 5:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-go-around-a-vehicle-making-a-left-turn-by-using-the-shoulder-of-the-road/195195/16 "2024-06-25T05:12:10Z")
Similar here in Maine. It is only legal when you can pass on right on paved road. In spring the dirt/soft shoulders are easy “wheel sinks” and then you become a hazard on the side of the road awaiting a tow. Some numbered state roads have no paving past the white lines and I would not attempt that. Having said that, I did attempt it once, got stuck, and then had a friendly guy stop and pull me out within a few minutes. I then learned to carry my own stout, short tow rope, with hooks at both ends. Also learned where and how the “tow eye-bolt” goes…behind that little circle on the front bumper! Never pass on right (single, or more vehicles) but at the slowest speed, keeping an eye out for mind-changers. I have changed my mind too, but use signals and mirrors, and also slowly.