Is Lane Splitting Legal? State-by-State Laws (2026)

Quick Answer

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is illegal in 46 states as of 2026. It's legal in 1 state and restricted in 3. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

1 Legal

3 Restricted

46 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Alabama. There are no statutes explicitly permitting lane splitting, and motorcyclists are ...	Details →
Alaska	ILLEGAL	Alaska does not permit lane splitting. The state's traffic laws require motorcycles to be operated within a single lane,...	Details →
Arizona	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Arizona. Arizona Revised Statutes §28-729 requires motorcycles to be operated within a sing...	Details →
Arkansas	ILLEGAL	Arkansas law does not permit lane splitting. Under Arkansas Code §27-51-301, motorcycles must be operated within a singl...	Details →
California	LEGAL	Lane splitting is explicitly legal in California under California Vehicle Code §21658.5. Motorcyclists are permitted to ...	Details →
Colorado	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Colorado. Colorado Revised Statutes §42-4-1004 requires motorcycles to be operated within a...	Details →
Connecticut	ILLEGAL	Connecticut does not allow lane splitting. Connecticut General Statutes §14-240 requires motorcycles to be operated with...	Details →
Delaware	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Delaware. Delaware Code Title 21 §4177 requires motorcycles to be operated within a single ...	Details →
Florida	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Florida. Florida Statutes §316.0895 prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traf...	Details →
Georgia	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. Georgia Code §40-6-56 requires motorcycles to be operated within a single lane, an...	Details →
Hawaii	ILLEGAL	Hawaii does not have any laws explicitly permitting lane splitting. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes §291C-33, motorcycles ...	Details →
Idaho	ILLEGAL	Idaho law does not allow lane splitting. Idaho Code §49-720 prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traffic e...	Details →
Illinois	ILLEGAL	Illinois does not permit lane splitting. 625 ILCS 5/11-709 prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traffic ex...	Details →
Indiana	ILLEGAL	Indiana Code §9-21-8-59 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must remain within a sing...	Details →
Iowa	ILLEGAL	Iowa Code §321.297 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must travel within a single la...	Details →
Kansas	ILLEGAL	Kansas Statutes Annotated §8-1523 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must remain in ...	Details →
Kentucky	ILLEGAL	Kentucky Revised Statutes §189.290 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must operate w...	Details →
Louisiana	ILLEGAL	Louisiana Revised Statutes §32:81 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must remain in ...	Details →
Maine	ILLEGAL	Maine law (Title 29-A §2071) prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must stay within a s...	Details →
Maryland	ILLEGAL	Maryland Transportation Code §21-309 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must operate...	Details →
Massachusetts	ILLEGAL	Lane splitting is not permitted in Massachusetts. There is no explicit statute allowing lane splitting, and general traf...	Details →
Michigan	ILLEGAL	Michigan law does not explicitly allow lane splitting and it is generally considered illegal. Motorcycles must operate w...	Details →
Minnesota	ILLEGAL	Minnesota law prohibits lane splitting. Motorcycles are required to operate within a single lane and may not pass betwee...	Details →
Mississippi	ILLEGAL	Mississippi does not allow lane splitting. Motorcycles must stay within a single lane and may not pass between lanes of ...	Details →
Missouri	ILLEGAL	Missouri law prohibits lane splitting by motorcycles. Motorcycles must remain within a single lane and may not ride betw...	Details →
Montana	ILLEGAL	Montana does not permit lane splitting. Motorcycles must operate within a single lane and are prohibited from riding bet...	Details →
Nebraska	ILLEGAL	Nebraska law prohibits lane splitting by motorcycles. Motorcycles must remain in a single lane and may not pass between ...	Details →
Nevada	RESTRICTED	Nevada does not explicitly legalize lane splitting but allows lane filtering at low speeds under certain conditions. Acc...	Details →
New Hampshire	ILLEGAL	New Hampshire law does not permit lane splitting. Motorcycles must stay within a single lane and are prohibited from rid...	Details →
New Jersey	ILLEGAL	New Jersey prohibits lane splitting. Motorcycles are required to operate within a single lane and may not pass between l...	Details →
New Mexico	ILLEGAL	New Mexico law does not explicitly authorize lane splitting. Under NMSA 1978 § 66-7-317, motorcycles must operate within...	Details →
New York	ILLEGAL	New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1123 prohibits motorcycles from passing between lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is n...	Details →
North Carolina	ILLEGAL	North Carolina General Statutes § 20-146 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcyclists must r...	Details →
North Dakota	ILLEGAL	North Dakota Century Code § 39-10-22 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting. Motorcycles must stay within a single la...	Details →
Ohio	ILLEGAL	Ohio Revised Code § 4511.29 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting. Motorcyclists must operate within a single lane a...	Details →
Oklahoma	ILLEGAL	Oklahoma Statutes Title 47 § 11-1103 prohibits lane splitting by motorcycles. Motorcycles must remain within a single la...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Oregon Revised Statutes § 811.485 allows lane splitting for motorcycles but only under specific conditions: traffic must...	Details →
Pennsylvania	ILLEGAL	Pennsylvania Vehicle Code § 3309 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting. Motorcycles must remain within a single lane...	Details →
Rhode Island	ILLEGAL	Rhode Island General Laws § 31-14-1 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting. Motorcycles must remain within a single l...	Details →
South Carolina	ILLEGAL	South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-1520 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting. Motorcycles must remain within a sing...	Details →
South Dakota	ILLEGAL	South Dakota law does not explicitly authorize lane splitting. Motorcyclists are required to operate within a single lan...	Details →
Tennessee	ILLEGAL	Tennessee law does not permit lane splitting. Motorcycles must operate within a single lane and are prohibited from ridi...	Details →
Texas	ILLEGAL	Texas Transportation Code § 545.060 prohibits lane splitting by requiring vehicles to be driven as nearly as practical e...	Details →
Utah	ILLEGAL	Utah Code § 41-6a-713 prohibits lane splitting by requiring vehicles to be driven within a single lane. Motorcyclists ma...	Details →
Vermont	ILLEGAL	Vermont law requires vehicles to be operated within a single lane and prohibits lane splitting. 23 V.S.A. § 1043 mandate...	Details →
Virginia	ILLEGAL	Virginia Code § 46.2-848 requires vehicles to be driven within a single lane and prohibits lane splitting by motorcycles...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Washington State allows lane splitting only under limited conditions. RCW 46.61.100 prohibits lane splitting generally b...	Details →
West Virginia	ILLEGAL	West Virginia Code § 17C-11-3 requires vehicles to be driven within a single lane and prohibits lane splitting by motorc...	Details →
Wisconsin	ILLEGAL	Wisconsin Statutes § 346.03 requires vehicles to be driven within a single lane and prohibits lane splitting. Motorcycli...	Details →
Wyoming	ILLEGAL	Wyoming Statutes § 31-5-601 requires vehicles to be driven within a single lane and prohibits lane splitting by motorcyc...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lane splitting on a motorcycle legal in the United States?

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is illegal in 46 states as of 2026. It's legal in 1 state and restricted in 3. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

How many states allow lane splitting (motorcycles)?

As of 2026, lane splitting (motorcycles) is legal in 1 state, restricted with conditions in 3 states, and illegal in 46 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with lane splitting (motorcycles) in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with lane splitting (motorcycles)?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If lane splitting (motorcycles) is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. Always check the laws of every state on your route.