Is it illegal to drive straight in a lane designated for right turns?

Driving in the wrong lane is one of the most common traffic violations committed by motor vehicles and is subject to penalties as stipulated by the Road Traffic Law.

According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP issued on December 30, 2019, the penalties for vehicles driving in the wrong lane are as follows:

For drivers of cars and similar vehicles, the penalty for driving in the wrong lane is a fine of 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND, and suspension of the driver's license for 1 to 3 months.

In cases where a driver drives in the wrong lane and causes a traffic accident, they will be fined between 10,000,000 and 12,000,000 VND and have their driver's license revoked for 2 to 4 months.

For drivers of motorbikes (including electric motorbikes such as smart electric motorbikes), motorcycles, and similar types of vehicles, the penalty for driving in the wrong lane is 400,000 - 600,000 VND.

In cases where a motorcyclist or moped driver causes a traffic accident by driving in the wrong lane, they will be fined 4,000,000 - 5,000,000 VND and have their driver's license revoked for 2 - 4 months.

For drivers of towed vehicles and specialized motorbikes, the penalty for driving in the wrong lane is a fine of 400,000 - 600,000 VND, and suspension of their driver's license for 1 - 3 months.

In cases where drivers of tow trucks or specialized motorized vehicles drive in the wrong lane and cause traffic accidents, they will be fined 6,000,000 - 8,000,000 VND and have their driver's licenses revoked for 2 - 4 months.

For drivers or passengers on bicycles, motorbikes, or other non-motorized vehicles, the fine will be between 80,000 and 100,000 VND.

Distinguishing between lane violation and lane marking violation.

Road markings are a type of road traffic signal used to assist, guide, and regulate traffic. These markings can be used independently or in combination with traffic lights and other signs.

If multiple traffic signals appear simultaneously, the order of priority is the traffic controller's instructions, traffic lights, road signs, and road markings.

Drivers who fail to comply with traffic signs and lane markings are said to have committed lane marking violations. These violations often occur at intersections where signs indicate "Follow the direction of travel in each lane" (R.411).

Traffic sign R.411 guides drivers on the number of lanes and the direction of travel in each lane according to the road markings. For example, at an intersection, vehicles that do not enter the correct lane as indicated by the road markings and signs, such as a vehicle going straight in the right-turn lane, are considered to be violating traffic signs and road markings.

However, traffic sign R.411 is only effective for issuing penalties when combined with lane marking 1.18. Therefore, on road sections with traffic sign R.411 and lane marking 1.18, if a driver turns right or left into a lane with a straight-ahead arrow, they will be committing an offense.