When is it legal to drive in the left lane?

Driving in the left lane is legal when you are passing another vehicle or preparing to make a left turn. The left lane is generally reserved for overtaking slower-moving traffic, allowing for smoother vehicle flow and reducing congestion. Using the left lane for passing is important for maintaining safety and efficiency on the road, as it keeps the right lane open for slower vehicles and allows for better traffic management.

In situations where you are passing a vehicle, it’s critical to ensure that the maneuver enhances safety and does not create hazards, such as cutting off other drivers or exceeding the speed limit while merging back into the right lane. Additionally, preparing to turn left is a legitimate reason to be in the left lane, as this allows drivers to position themselves correctly for their turn.

The other choices do not align with safe driving practices: navigating in the left lane due to congestion may cause confusion and unnecessary delays, driving above the speed limit is illegal and unsafe, and using the left lane because the right lane is closed may only be acceptable if it is safe to do so, but it does not reflect the primary rule concerning lane usage. Therefore, the correct circumstance for using the left lane focuses specifically on passing or preparing for a left turn.