Is Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) Legal in New York?

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is illegal in New York as of 2026. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1123 prohibits motorcycles from passing between lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is not permitted and is treated as an unsafe driving practice.

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is ILLEGAL in New York

Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is currently illegal in New York. Possession or sale may result in penalties.

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Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) Laws in New York: Quick Facts

  • 1 Legal Status: Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) is currently illegal in New York.
  • 2 Possession: No specific rules related to lane splitting.
  • 3 Sale: No specific rules related to lane splitting.
  • 4 Age Restriction: None
  • 5 Penalties: Violations can result in fines and points on the motorcycle operator's license.

Detailed Legal Breakdown

Possession No specific rules related to lane splitting.
Sale No specific rules related to lane splitting.
Age Restriction None
Penalties Violations can result in fines and points on the motorcycle operator's license.
Pending Legislation None known

How Does New York 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. New York is among the 46 states where it is illegal.

View the full 50-state map for Lane Splitting (Motorcycles) →
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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.

Last verified: 2026-01-15 Sources cited below Updated when laws change

Source

Citation: New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1123

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1123

Last verified: 2026-01-15

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