Is Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) Legal in California?
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is legal in California as of 2026. Lane splitting is explicitly legal in California under California Vehicle Code §21658.5. Motorcyclists are permitted to ride between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic when done safely and prudently. The California Highway Patrol provides guidelines for safe lane splitting.
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is LEGAL in California
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is currently legal in California with no major restrictions.
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) Laws in California: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is currently legal in California.
- 2 Possession: N/A
- 3 Sale: N/A
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: N/A if done safely; unsafe lane splitting may result in citations for reckless driving or unsafe operation.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | N/A |
| Sale | N/A |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | N/A if done safely; unsafe lane splitting may result in citations for reckless driving or unsafe operation. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does California Compare?
Across all 50 states, Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 3 states, and illegal in 46 states. California is among the 1 states where it is legal.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: California Vehicle Code §21658.5
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=21658.5.&lawCode=VEH
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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