Lane Splitting Laws by State (2026)
Where motorcycle lane splitting or lane filtering is legal, legal with limits, or banned.
| State | Lane splitting |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Lane splitting is illegal in Alabama: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in one lane, and other drivers may not deprive a motorcycle of full use of a lane. On-duty police officers are exempt. Ala. Code § 32-5A-242 |
| Arizona | Lane splitting and filtering: Arizona generally bans riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles and passing in the same lane as the vehicle being passed. A limited exception allows a two-wheeled motorcycle to pass a stopped vehicle in the same lane (lane filtering) if it is safe, the street has at least two adjacent lanes in the same direction, the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and the motorcycle travels 15 mph or less. Police officers on duty are exempt. A.R.S. § 28-903 |
| Arkansas | Lane splitting: Arkansas's lane-use statute says that on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes, a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and may not move from the lane until the driver has made sure it is safe. That section does not mention motorcycles or lane splitting by name. Ark. Code Ann. § 27-51-302 |
| California | Lane splitting is legal in California. The DMV's California Driver Handbook tells drivers that it is legal to share lanes with motorcycles, known as lane splitting, and never to try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane. The Motorcycle Driver Handbook defines lane splitting (also called lane sharing, filtering or white-lining) as riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a light, and warns riders of its risks. California DMV, California Driver Handbook, Section 7 (Sharing the Road: Motorcycles); Motorcycle Driver Handbook (2024) |
| Colorado | Lane splitting and filtering: Colorado generally bans riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles. Since August 7, 2024, the driver of a two-wheeled motorcycle may pass a stopped vehicle in the same lane (lane filtering) if the vehicles in adjacent same-direction lanes are also stopped, the lanes are wide enough, the motorcycle goes 15 mph or less, and conditions are safe; filtering must stop when traffic starts moving and is not allowed on the right shoulder, to the right of the far-right lane on a non-limited-access highway, or in an opposing lane. This filtering permission is set to be repealed on September 1, 2027. C.R.S. § 42-4-1503 |
| Connecticut | Lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut: a motorcyclist may not operate between lanes of traffic or pass, in the same lane, any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no more than two may ride abreast in one lane. Police officers on duty are exempt; a violation is an infraction. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-289b |
| Florida | Lane splitting is illegal in Florida: the statute says no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Police officers and firefighters performing official duties are exempt. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane, and a violation is a noncriminal moving traffic infraction. Fla. Stat. § 316.209 |
| Georgia | Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, may not ride more than two abreast in a single lane, and must keep headlights and taillights on at all times. Police officers performing official duties are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-312 |
| Hawaii | Lane splitting is illegal in Hawaii: the statute says no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and may not ride more than two abreast in a single lane; police officers performing official duties are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. A former section allowing motorcycles on designated shoulders (§ 291C-54) has been repealed. Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 291C-153, 291C-54 (repealed) |
| Idaho | Idaho has no state law that specifically addresses motorcycle lane splitting or lane filtering. The general lane rule requires that on highways divided into clearly marked lanes, a vehicle be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and not moved from that lane until the driver has made sure the move is safe. Idaho Code Title 49, Chapter 6 (reviewed); § 49-637(1) |
| Illinois | Illinois law says the driver of a two-wheeled vehicle may not pass on the right of a vehicle going the same direction unless there is an unobstructed lane of traffic available to make the pass safely. 625 ILCS 5/11-703(c) |
| Indiana | A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a traffic lane, and no vehicle may be driven so as to deprive another vehicle of the full use of a lane. Two motorcycles (not autocycles) may ride side by side in one lane if both riders agree. Otherwise, the traffic rules for motor vehicles apply to motorcycles. IC 9-21-10-6, 9-21-10-7 |
| Iowa | Lane splitting is illegal in Iowa: a motorcycle or motorized bicycle may not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed unless that vehicle is also a motorcycle or motorized bicycle. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane, and other drivers may not deprive a motorcyclist of the full use of a lane. Iowa Code § 321.275(4) |
| Kansas | Lane splitting is illegal in Kansas: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and may not ride more than two abreast in a single lane; police officers performing official duties are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. K.S.A. 8-1595 |
| Kentucky | No Kentucky statute reviewed names lane splitting. The overtaking statute requires passing on the left, allows passing on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left or there is room for two or more lines of traffic in the same direction, and only when it can be done safely and not by driving off the roadway. On roads with three or more marked lanes in one direction, a driver must keep as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and may not leave it until the move can be made safely. KRS 189.340(1), (3), (4), (7)(a) |
| Louisiana | Lane splitting is banned in Louisiana. No one may ride a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane as the vehicle being passed. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in one lane, and drivers may not deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. Police officers on official duty are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. La. R.S. 32:191.1 |
| Maine | Maine's motorcycle lane-use law says a motorcycle operator may not overtake or pass in the lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except when passing a bicycle or a roller skier (law enforcement officers on duty are exempt). Motorcycles may use the full lane, no more than 2 motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane, and drivers may not deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. 29-A M.R.S. §2062(4), (5) |
| Maryland | Lane splitting is banned in Maryland. A person may not ride a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane as the vehicle being passed (police officers on duty are exempt). Every motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane, and motorcycles may not ride more than two abreast in one lane. Md. Code, Transp. §21-1303 |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts law says motorcycle operators may not pass any other motor vehicle within the same lane, except another motorcycle; they also may not ride abreast of more than one other motorcycle and must ride single file when passing. On roads divided into lanes, every driver must keep the vehicle entirely within a single lane and may not change lanes until it is safe. G.L. c. 89, §4A |
| Michigan | A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane, and a motor vehicle must not be driven so as to deprive a motorcycle of it; this does not apply to motorcycles riding 2 abreast in one lane. Motorcycle riders may not ride more than 2 abreast except on a path or part of the road set aside for them. MCL 257.660(2), (3) |
| Minnesota | Minnesota bans riding between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed the same way, riding abreast of other vehicles in the same lane, and passing within the same lane, except as allowed by the lane-filtering rule. Under that rule, a motorcyclist may overtake and pass another vehicle in the same direction within the same traffic lane only when riding no faster than 25 mph and no more than 15 mph faster than traffic. Filtering is not allowed in roundabouts, school zones, single-lane work zones, or freeway on-ramps with queued traffic. Minn. Stat. §169.974, subd. 5(f)-(h) |
| Missouri | No Missouri statute read names lane splitting. On roads divided into lanes, the state traffic law requires a vehicle to be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and not moved from that lane until the driver has made sure the move can be made safely. Mo. Rev. Stat. §304.015 |
| Montana | Lane filtering is legal in Montana under conditions. The rider of a two-wheeled motorcycle may pass a vehicle that is stopped or going no more than 10 mph in the same lane and direction, only on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely, at no more than 20 mph, and when conditions allow reasonable and prudent operation. The statute covers filtering past stopped or slow traffic, not riding between lanes of faster-moving traffic. Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-392 |
| Nebraska | Banned. Nebraska law says no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane as the vehicle being passed. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane, but not more than two. Peace officers on duty are exempt. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,308 |
| Nevada | Banned. Except for a police officer on duty, no one may drive a motorcycle or moped between moving or stationary vehicles in adjacent traffic lanes. A motorcycle, moped or trimobile also may not ride abreast of or pass another vehicle within the same lane, except that motorcycles and mopeds may ride up to two abreast in one lane with the drivers' consent. NRS 486.351 |
| New Hampshire | Banned. No person may drive a motorcycle on a roadway between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Two motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane, but not more than two. Police officers on duty are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. RSA 265:121 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey's marked-lanes statute requires that a vehicle be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and not be moved from that lane until the driver has first made sure the move can be made safely, and that vehicles normally use the right-hand lane except when passing or preparing for a left turn. The section read does not mention motorcycles or lane splitting by name. Violating the marked-lanes rule carries a fine of $100 to $300 plus a $50 surcharge. N.J.S.A. 39:4-88, 39:4-88.1 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico's laned-roadway statute requires that a vehicle be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and not be moved from that lane until the driver has first made sure the movement can be made safely. The motorcycle-riding section read (§ 66-7-355) does not mention lane splitting, and the statutes read do not name it. NMSA 1978, § 66-7-317 |
| New York | Banned. No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Two motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane, but not more than two; police officers on duty are exempt from the passing and between-lanes rules. N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1252 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina's motorcycle statute gives motorcycles full use of a lane, forbids other vehicles from depriving a motorcycle of that use, and allows motorcycles to ride no more than two abreast in a single lane; it does not mention passing within a lane or riding between lanes. The general lane statute requires a vehicle on a roadway divided into marked lanes to be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and not moved from it until the driver has made sure it is safe. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-146.1, 20-146(d)(1) |
| North Dakota | Banned. No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Police officers on duty are exempt. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane. N.D. Cent. Code § 39-10.2-03 |
| Ohio | No Ohio statute read names lane splitting or lane filtering. The general lane rule requires every vehicle on a roadway with marked lanes (or, in cities, where traffic moves in two or more continuous lines) to be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane or line of traffic and not moved from it until the driver has made sure the move is safe. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4511.33(A)(1), 4511.55(B) |
| Oklahoma | Banned. No driver of a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter, motorized bicycle or electric-assisted bicycle may pass other vehicles between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction (authorized emergency vehicles excepted). 47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1103(D) |
| Oregon | Banned under the current statute: a motorcycle or moped operator commits the offense of unlawful passing by operating between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, or by passing in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed (unless that vehicle is a motorcycle or moped). Police officers performing official duties are exempt. The offense is a Class B traffic violation. ORS 814.240 |
| Pennsylvania | Banned. No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed (police officers on duty excepted). Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and may not ride more than two abreast in a single lane. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3523 |
| Rhode Island | No Rhode Island statute read names lane splitting or lane filtering. The general laned-roadway rule requires a vehicle to be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and not moved from the lane until the driver has made sure the move is safe. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-11 |
| South Carolina | Banned. No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed (police officers on duty excepted). Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and may not ride more than two abreast in a single lane. S.C. Code § 56-5-3640 |
| South Dakota | Banned. No person may operate a motorcycle between adjacent lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles; violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Related sections give motorcycles full use of a lane, bar passing in the same lane, and limit riding to two abreast, with an exemption for police. SDCL 32-20-9.3 |
| Tennessee | Lane splitting is banned: Tennessee law prohibits operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, except for police officers performing official duties. No more than two motorcycles may ride side by side in a single lane. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-182(c), (d), (f) |
| Texas | No Texas statute names lane splitting. The general lane rule says that on a road divided into two or more clearly marked lanes, a driver must drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and may not move from the lane unless the movement can be made safely. Tex. Transp. Code § 545.060(a) |
| Utah | Utah bans lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles) but allows limited lane filtering: a motorcycle may pass a vehicle that is stopped in the same lane only on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction and a speed limit of 45 mph or less (or on such an off-ramp), not on an on-ramp, at 15 mph or less, and only when safe. The Utah Code schedules the lane-filtering subsections to be repealed on July 1, 2027. Utah Code §§ 41-6a-1502(3), 41-6a-704(6), 63I-1-241(2)-(4) |
| Vermont | Lane splitting is banned: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcycle may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed. Police officers on duty are exempt. 23 V.S.A. § 1115(b), (c), (e) |
| Virginia | No Virginia statute read names lane splitting. On roads divided into clearly marked lanes, a vehicle must be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not leave it until the driver has made sure the move is safe. Driving abreast of another vehicle in a lane designed for one vehicle is reckless driving, but that section does not prohibit two two-wheeled motorcycles from riding abreast in one lane. Va. Code §§ 46.2-804(2), 46.2-857 |
| Washington | Lane splitting is banned: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed (except a pedestrian or bicyclist, with at least three feet of clearance). Police officers on duty are exempt; no more than two motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane. Rev. Code Wash. § 46.61.608(2)-(5) |
| West Virginia | No West Virginia statute in effect names lane splitting. The general lane rule says that on a road divided into clearly marked lanes, a vehicle must be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not move from it until the driver has made sure it is safe; violation is a misdemeanor with fines up to $100, $200 and $500 for repeat convictions. W. Va. Code § 17C-7-9(a)(1), (b) |
| Wisconsin | No Wisconsin statute names lane splitting. All vehicles, including motorcycles, are entitled to full use of a traffic lane and no vehicle may be driven so as to deprive another of the full use of a lane; motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane, and only with both riders' consent. On roads divided into lanes, a driver must stay as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not leave it without first making sure the move is safe. Wis. Stat. §§ 346.595(1), 346.13(1) |
| Wyoming | Lane splitting is banned: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass a vehicle in the same lane except another motorcycle. Police officers on duty are exempt; motorcycles may not ride three or more abreast in a single lane. Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-115(f)-(j) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.