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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 3Art. 1§ 21651 Divided Highway Crossing Rules

§ 21651 Divided Highway Crossing Rules

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21651 Divided Highway Crossing Rules

This law says you can't drive over or make U-turns across the middle divider on certain roads. It also says you must drive on the right side of these dividers.

Key Takeaways

  • •Don't drive over or across the middle divider on divided roads.
  • •Don't make U-turns across the divider unless there's a special spot for it.
  • •Always drive on the right side of the divider.
  • •Breaking this rule can get you in trouble, especially if someone gets hurt.

Example

You're driving on a busy road with a big grassy divider in the middle. You want to turn around to go back the other way.

You can't just drive over the grassy divider or make a U-turn across it. You have to find a spot where there's a break in the divider meant for turning around.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21651 Divided Highway Crossing Rules

(a) Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful to do either of the following: (1) To drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section. (2) To make any left, semicircular, or U-turn with the vehicle on the divided highway, except through an opening in the barrier designated and intended by public authorities for the use of vehicles or through a plainly marked opening in the dividing section. (b) It is unlawful to drive any vehicle upon a highway, except to the right of an intermittent barrier or a dividing section which separates two or more opposing lanes of traffic. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), a violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor. (c) Any willful violation of subdivision (b) which results in injury to, or death of, a person shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than six months. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 608. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

dividing sectionintermittent barriersU-turnmisdemeanorwillful violation

Related Statutes

  • § 10753 Catalytic Converter Marking Tampering
  • § 11500 Automobile Dismantler Licensing Requirements
  • § 13800 Driver License Suspension Grounds
  • § 13801 License Re-Examination Requirement
  • § 13802 Vehicle Use Consideration

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21651.
View Official Source