---
title: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-42. Overtaking and passing generally.
collection: code
id: 40-6-42
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-42 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-42
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-42.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-42/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t40-ch6-16-(v29)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=97c394d6_0#page=69
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC / UNIFORM RULES OF THE ROAD / DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY, OVERTAKING AND PASSING, FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 40-6-42. Overtaking and passing generally.

The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules stated in this article:

(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and

(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

## History

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 57; Code 1933, § 68A-303, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 633, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 14, § 40; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5.

## Law Reviews

For comment on Roberts v. Phillips, 35 Ga. App. 733, 134 S.E. 837 (1926), see 1 Ga. L. Rev. No. 1, p. 49 (1927).