---
title: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-53. Prohibited lane usage by buses and motorcoaches using multilane highways; HOV lane usage by a bus or motorcoach.
collection: code
id: 40-6-53
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-53 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-53
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-53.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-53/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=90
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.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-6-52.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
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. § 40-6-53. Prohibited lane usage by buses and motorcoaches using multilane highways; HOV lane usage by a bus or motorcoach.

(a) On roads, streets, or highways with three or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any bus or motorcoach to operate in any lanes other than the two most right-hand lanes, except when the bus or motorcoach is preparing for a left turn, is moving to or from an HOV lane, or as otherwise provided by subsection (c) of this Code section.

(b) On roads, streets, or highways with two lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any bus or motorcoach to operate in the left-hand lane, except when the bus or motorcoach is actually overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or as otherwise provided by subsection (c) of this Code section.

(c) On interstate highways with four or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, the Department of Transportation may designate specific lanes that either prohibit or allow buses or motorcoaches. Where such usage has been so designated and indicated by signs erected by the Department of Transportation, it shall be unlawful for any bus or motorcoach to operate in any lanes other than those designated for its use except when moving to or from an HOV lane.

(d) When moving to or from an HOV lane, a bus or motorcoach shall move to the proper lanes of travel expeditiously and in the shortest distance possible under the circumstances.

## History

Code 1981, § 40-6-53, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 746, § 3.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5, redesignated former Code Section 40-6-53 as present Code Section 40-6-52.