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Passing on the right in Quebec: when is it allowed?

The rule in section 346, its three exceptions, the shoulder, and the other no-passing rules.

The rule: no passing on the right

Section 346 of the Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code) says that no one may pass on the right, except in three specific situations:

1. A vehicle that is turning left or about to turn left. For example, a car stopped near the centre line with its left signal on, waiting for a gap.
2. A vehicle heading for an exit lane of a limited-access road (a highway, for example).
3. A vehicle doing snow removal or road maintenance in the left lane of a one-way roadway with two or more lanes.

Passing on the right when it isn’t allowed carries 3 demerit points (Regulation respecting demerit points, Schedule, item 14).

Never on the shoulder

Even when passing on the right is allowed, it must happen on the roadway. Section 347 states that a driver who is passing may not leave the roadway under any circumstances. The roadway is the part of the road normally used for vehicle traffic (s. 4). So going around a car waiting to turn left by using the shoulder is not allowed.

More generally, section 418 prohibits driving on the shoulder or the sidewalk, except in case of necessity or where signs require or allow it.

Several lanes in the same direction: going faster isn’t “passing”

On a one-way roadway with two or more lanes, you normally drive in the right-hand lanes and use the far-left lane only to pass, turn left, take an exit or get around a blocked lane (s. 324). However, where the speed limit is under 80 km/h you may use either lane, and the fact that one lane moves faster than another doesn’t count as passing (s. 325). A driver going slower than the flow of traffic must still keep to the far-right lane, unless they are about to turn left, park or stop on the left side and have signalled it.

On these roadways it is also prohibited to pass several vehicles in a row by zigzagging between lanes (s. 342), which carries 4 demerit points (Schedule, item 12).

Other passing rules to know

• Lines: you may cross a broken line to pass or change lanes (s. 338). You may not cross a single or double solid line, a double line whose solid part is on your side, or a hatched marking (s. 326.1; 3 points, Schedule, item 7). Exception, if it is safe: passing a farm machine, a vehicle with a slow-moving-vehicle sign, an animal-drawn vehicle, a cyclist or a pedestrian (s. 344).
• Near intersections, railway crossings, tunnels and crosswalks: you may not pass by using the lane reserved for oncoming traffic when approaching or inside an intersection, a railway crossing, a tunnel or a properly marked pedestrian crosswalk (s. 345, para. 2).
• Hills and curves: the same ban applies when approaching or at the top of a hill, or in a curve, when you can’t see oncoming vehicles far enough ahead (s. 345, para. 1). Passing in breach of section 345 carries 4 points (Schedule, item 13).
• When you may not pass at all: if the driver behind you has already signalled to pass or has started passing, if visibility is too poor, or if, on a two-way roadway, the other side isn’t clear far enough to pass and return to the right safely (s. 348; 3 points, Schedule, item 15).
• Signal and return: signal with your turn signals; you may also flash your headlights (s. 376). On a two-way roadway, return to the right lane as soon as possible, once it is safe for the vehicle you passed (s. 339).
• If someone is passing you: don’t speed up while they pass (s. 340; 2 points, Schedule, item 10).

Key points for the test

• Passing on the right is prohibited, with three exceptions: a left turn, a highway exit, snow removal or maintenance in the left lane.
• Never on the shoulder: you don’t leave the roadway to pass.
• Under 80 km/h on a one-way roadway with several lanes, moving faster in one lane isn’t passing.
• No passing through the oncoming lane near an intersection, railway crossing, tunnel or crosswalk.
• Points: 3 for an illegal pass on the right, 4 for zigzagging, 4 for an illegal pass through the oncoming lane.

See also

• Free SAAQ practice test: 15 questions
• Yellow road lines in Quebec: when is passing allowed?
• Passing a cyclist in Quebec: how much distance do you need?
• Blind spots: how do you check them, and when?
• School bus with flashing red lights in Québec: what do you do?

Official sources

• Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 4 (“roadway”), 324, 325, 326.1, 338, 339, 340, 342, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 376 and 418
• Regulation respecting demerit points (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 37), Schedule, items 7, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15

General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.