As of July 1, 2025, Minnesota motorcyclists can legally lane filter under certain conditions.
This new law allows riders to move between stopped vehicles in traffic—something many advocates say improves rider safety and reduces congestion.
What’s Allowed Under the Law:
- Lane filtering is only allowed when traffic is completely stopped.
- Riders must travel no faster than 25 mph.
- Filtering must be done between lanes going the same direction, not on the shoulder.
- It’s permitted only on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or lower.
- Only two-wheeled motorcycles may lane filter (no trikes or bikes with sidecars).
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says this change can help prevent rear-end collisions and give motorcyclists a safer way to move through gridlocked traffic.
Audio version of this story below.
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But safety doesn’t stop with lane filtering.
Wearing a DOT-approved helmet is still one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe on the road.
If you’re looking to upgrade your gear, we’ve put together a list of recommended helmets that meet high safety standards and look great doing it.
Ride Smart, Ride Safe
As always, riders are encouraged to use common sense, stay visible, and ride defensively. And for drivers—watch those mirrors! We’re all in this together.
Click the button below to get your free downloadable checklist for Minnesota’s new lane filtering law.
Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Laws in the United States: A Complete State-by-State Guide
Understanding the legal landscape for motorcyclists navigating traffic congestion, this list is not legal advice. Just a compilation of public information available at the time of publication, please research and do your own due diligence before attempting lane filtering or splitting. Easiest way is to call local police in the state you ride in.
Motorcyclists across the United States face a complex patchwork of laws when it comes to lane splitting and lane filtering. As traffic congestion continues to worsen in major metropolitan areas, these practices have become increasingly relevant for riders seeking safer and more efficient ways to navigate through stopped or slow-moving traffic. This comprehensive guide examines the current legal status of lane splitting and filtering in all 50 states.
Understanding the Key Terms
Before diving into state-specific laws, it’s crucial to understand the distinctions between these commonly confused terms:
Lane Splitting refers to a motorcycle riding between lanes of moving traffic, typically at higher speeds. This practice allows motorcyclists to pass between vehicles that are traveling in the same direction.
Lane Filtering involves riding between lanes of stopped or very slow-moving traffic, usually at intersections or in traffic jams. This is generally considered a more conservative approach than lane splitting.
Lane Sharing occurs when two or more motorcycles ride side-by-side in the same lane, which is legal in most states.
Shoulder Surfing involves riding on the road’s shoulder to bypass traffic, which has limited legal acceptance.
States Where Lane Splitting/Filtering is Legal
California: The Pioneer State
California remains the only state with fully legal lane splitting. In 2016, Assembly Bill 51 formally legalized the practice, making California the first state to explicitly allow motorcyclists to ride between lanes of moving traffic. The California Highway Patrol recommends that riders:
- Keep speed differential to no more than 10 mph above surrounding traffic
- Avoid lane splitting when traffic exceeds 30 mph
- Use the far-left lanes for maximum safety
Utah: Restricted Lane Filtering
Utah legalized lane filtering in 2019 under specific conditions:
- Traffic must be completely stopped
- Speed limit cannot exceed 45 mph
- Motorcyclists cannot exceed 15 mph
- Only permitted at intersections and similar scenarios
Arizona: Limited Traffic Light Filtering
Arizona enacted lane filtering legislation in 2022, allowing motorcycles to filter through stopped traffic under these restrictions:
- Roads must have speed limits of 45 mph or less
- All traffic must be at a complete stop
- Motorcyclists cannot exceed 15 mph
- Primarily designed for traffic light situations
Montana: Slow Traffic Filtering
Montana permits lane filtering when traffic conditions meet specific criteria:
- Traffic must be stopped or moving at 10 mph or less
- Motorcyclists cannot exceed 20 mph
- Weather conditions must be safe for the maneuver
Colorado: Experimental Lane Filtering
Colorado’s lane filtering law took effect on August 7, 2024, but includes an important sunset clause:
- Traffic must be completely stopped
- Maximum speed of 15 mph
- Must pass on the left side only
- Cannot use shoulders or enter oncoming traffic lanes
- Law expires September 1, 2027 pending safety review
Minnesota: Comprehensive Lane Sharing (Effective July 1, 2025)
Minnesota became the sixth state to legalize lane filtering, with the most comprehensive law taking effect July 1, 2025: A downloadable checklist is available above.
Lane Splitting Provisions:
- Legal when traffic is moving under 25 mph
- Motorcyclists cannot exceed 15 mph over traffic speed
- Must return to own lane when traffic reaches 25 mph
Lane Filtering Provisions:
- Legal through stopped traffic
- Maximum speed of 15 mph
- Permitted at traffic lights and in traffic jams
Prohibited Areas:
- School zones
- Roundabouts
- Freeway on-ramps
- Single-lane work zones
States Where Lane Splitting/Filtering is Illegal
The majority of U.S. states explicitly prohibit lane splitting and filtering. Notable examples include:
Texas: Recently Clarified Ban
Texas ended years of legal ambiguity by explicitly banning lane splitting and filtering on September 1, 2023, through House Bill 4122:
- Motorcycles cannot operate between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
- Cannot pass another vehicle while in the same lane
- Two motorcycles can still ride side-by-side in the same lane
States with Explicit Prohibitions
The following states have clear laws prohibiting lane splitting and filtering: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Special Cases and Gray Areas
New Jersey: Legal Ambiguity
New Jersey presents a unique situation where lane splitting is neither explicitly legal nor illegal. However:
- Motorcyclists can be cited for “failing to stay in their lane”
- A 2022 bill (A4668) to legalize lane filtering failed in committee
- Current petition efforts seek to legalize lane filtering for safety reasons
Hawaii: Shoulder Surfing Experiment
Hawaii briefly experimented with shoulder surfing from 2018-2020:
- House Bill 2859 allowed motorcycles to use designated shoulders
- Law expired December 31, 2020, and was not renewed
- Lane splitting and filtering remain illegal
States Considering Legislation
Several states are actively considering lane splitting or filtering legislation:
East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia
Midwest: Missouri
West Coast: Oregon, Washington
These states have introduced or are developing bills to allow some form of lane sharing, though success has been limited.
Safety Considerations and Research
Research suggests that properly executed lane splitting and filtering can improve motorcyclist safety:
- Reduces rear-end collisions: Motorcyclists are less likely to be struck from behind when filtering to the front of traffic
- Decreases injury severity: Studies show lane-splitting motorcyclists face fewer severe injuries than those who don’t split lanes
- Improves traffic flow: Reduces overall congestion for all road users
However, safety depends heavily on proper execution, appropriate speed differentials, and driver awareness.
Key Takeaways for Motorcyclists
- Only California allows full lane splitting – all other states either prohibit it or allow only limited lane filtering
- Six states currently permit some form of lane filtering – California, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, and Minnesota (effective July 2025)
- Laws vary significantly – Each state has different speed limits, road restrictions, and conditions for legal lane sharing
- Enforcement varies – Even in legal states, riders must follow specific guidelines or face citations
- Trend toward legalization – More states are considering legislation, suggesting potential future expansion
The legal landscape for lane splitting and filtering continues to evolve as states balance motorcyclist safety, traffic efficiency, and driver concerns. Motorcyclists should stay informed about their local laws and always prioritize safety when navigating traffic, regardless of legal permissions. As this practice gains acceptance, we may see more states adopt similar legislation in the coming years.
Remember: This information is current as of July 2025. Laws can change, so always verify current regulations in your state before attempting any lane sharing maneuvers.