Massachusetts Truck Lane Restrictions

Which lanes a truck can use in Massachusetts

Massachusetts holds trucks over 2.5 tons to the right-hand travel lane on any highway with two or more passing lanes each way (M.G.L. c.89 4C). You can move one lane left to pass, then get back over. Everything further left is off-limits except in an emergency. Buses are exempt. The fine runs up to $100.

Roads, exceptions, and signs

• Where it applies: Statewide, any highway with three or more lanes in the same direction. This is a statutory rule, not limited to posted segments, though MassDOT signs some highways 'trucks use right lanes.'
• Statutory. Not dependent on signs, though some highways carry 'trucks use right lanes' signage.
• General rule: General drive-in-the-lane-nearest-the-right rule applies to all drivers (M.G.L. c.89 4B).
• Heavy commercial vehicle is defined as over 2.5 tons used to haul goods. Buses are exempt. This is tighter than most states: ordinary travel is the right lane only, passing is the next lane over, nothing further left except an emergency.

What a lane violation costs

Up to $100 (M.G.L. c.89 5).

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