South Carolina Truck Lane Restrictions

Which lanes a truck can use in South Carolina

South Carolina has no truck-only lane law. Keep right if you are slower than traffic (S.C. Code 56-5-1810), and on a controlled-access highway the left lane is for passing only under the Move Right law (56-5-1885). Those rules cover every vehicle, not just trucks. The Move Right law even builds in an out for tractor-trailers that cannot merge right safely or are climbing a grade. The Move Right fine is small, up to $25 with no court costs, and it is a civil violation.

Roads, exceptions, and signs

• Where it applies: Statewide. The Move Right passing-lane rule applies on controlled-access highways, meaning interstates and freeways.
• Statutory. SCDPS ran a public Move Right campaign, and some corridors carry keep-right signs.
• General rule: S.C. Code 56-5-1810 (slower traffic keep right) plus 56-5-1885 (Move Right, left lane for passing only).
• The Move Right law actually protects truckers: it excepts a tractor-trailer that cannot merge right safely because of a vehicle passing on the right, and a CDL vehicle that cannot move right because of a highway grade.

What a lane violation costs

Move Right (56-5-1885): up to $25, no court costs, civil violation, not criminal. General keep-right fines vary by county.

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