Can you get a ticket for going under the speed limit?

Yes, if your speed is low enough to impede traffic without a valid reason.

Is driving slowly in bad weather illegal?

Usually no, if the reduced speed is reasonably necessary for safety.

Can you be ticketed for slow driving in the left lane?

Yes. In many states the left lane issue can make the ticket more likely.

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Can you get a ticket for driving too slow? (2026 State-by-State Guide + Penalties)

Yes. Most states let police cite drivers who impede the normal flow of traffic, even when they are below the speed limit rather than above it.

April 13, 2026

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Quick Answer

Yes. Driving under the speed limit is not automatically illegal, but you can absolutely be ticketed if you are moving so slowly that you impede the normal flow of traffic and there is no good safety reason for it.

This topic maps cleanly across all 50 states in the current dataset.

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Why Is It Illegal?

Slow driving is one of those traffic topics people underestimate because the speed limit sounds like only a ceiling. In practice, most states also protect the normal flow of traffic. That means a driver can absolutely get a ticket for going too slowly when there is no real safety reason and other traffic is being impeded.

State-by-State Laws

Scan the most useful states first, then expand the full table when you want every state.

50 states say yesNo statewide exceptions in this dataset

Strong 50-state signalPreview starts with the fastest high-signal states

This topic maps cleanly across all 50 states in the current dataset.

Matrix coverage

50 states

No statewide exceptions appear in the current dataset.

Citation mix

2 Statute48 Code0 Rule

Higher statute share usually means a cleaner legal-reference page.

Reader note

This topic currently reads as a clean 50-state page, so the preview starts with California, Texas, Florida, and New York before the rest.

Jump to your state

StatuteCode FrameworkRule Framework

State	Status	Law
California	Illegal	Statute Cal. Veh. Code §22400 prohibits driving so slowly as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic
Texas	Illegal	Statute Texas traffic code and Tex. Transp. Code §545.363 addresses minimum speed regulation and impeding traffic
Florida	Illegal	Code Framework Florida traffic code and Florida traffic code bars driving so slowly as to impede normal and reasonable traffic movement except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation
New York	Illegal	Code Framework New York traffic code and New York traffic code supports citation for moving so slowly that normal traffic is impeded
Alabama	Illegal	Code Framework Alabama traffic code and Alabama traffic code and minimum-speed / impeding-traffic framework support ticketing drivers who move so slowly that they impede normal and reasonable traffic movement
Alaska	Illegal	Code Framework Alaska traffic code and Alaska traffic code supports citation for slow driving that unreasonably impedes normal traffic flow
Arizona	Illegal	Code Framework Arizona traffic code and Arizona traffic code and minimum-speed framework support ticketing drivers whose slow speed unreasonably impedes normal traffic flow
Arkansas	Illegal	Code Framework Arkansas traffic code and Arkansas traffic code supports citation for slow driving that blocks or impedes ordinary traffic movement

California

IllegalStatute

Cal. Veh. Code §22400 prohibits driving so slowly as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic

Texas

IllegalStatute

Texas traffic code and Tex. Transp. Code §545.363 addresses minimum speed regulation and impeding traffic

Florida

IllegalCode Framework

Florida traffic code and Florida traffic code bars driving so slowly as to impede normal and reasonable traffic movement except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation

New York

IllegalCode Framework

New York traffic code and New York traffic code supports citation for moving so slowly that normal traffic is impeded

Alabama

IllegalCode Framework

Alabama traffic code and Alabama traffic code and minimum-speed / impeding-traffic framework support ticketing drivers who move so slowly that they impede normal and reasonable traffic movement

Alaska

IllegalCode Framework

Alaska traffic code and Alaska traffic code supports citation for slow driving that unreasonably impedes normal traffic flow

Arizona

IllegalCode Framework

Arizona traffic code and Arizona traffic code and minimum-speed framework support ticketing drivers whose slow speed unreasonably impedes normal traffic flow

Arkansas

IllegalCode Framework

Arkansas traffic code and Arkansas traffic code supports citation for slow driving that blocks or impedes ordinary traffic movement

What Are The Penalties?

Penalties usually mean a traffic citation, fine, and possibly points depending on the state and whether the officer writes it as impeding traffic, lane misuse, or careless driving.

What To Do If You're Charged

If you are driving below the flow of traffic for a real safety reason, use hazard lights if appropriate and move right or pull over when safe. If you are cited, preserve dashcam footage, road-condition photos, and any proof of vehicle trouble or weather conditions.

Need Legal Help?

If you've been charged, consult with a qualified attorney in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The law does not require you to speed, but it often does require you not to needlessly hold everyone else up.

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