Is it legal for motorcycles to split lanes in California? Plus some laws you might not know

You’re stuck on the freeway, inching your way through the early evening rush hour traffic, as a motorcycle cuts through the lane and roars past you to the nearest exit.

This is known as lane splitting, according to the California Highway Patrol, when a motorcycle drives between stopped or moving cars in the same lane. It can happen on divided or undivided roads and highways.

And it’s legal in California.

Although it’s allowed in the state to split lanes, the CHP warns of how dangerous it is.

“It should not be performed by inexperienced riders,” the patrol advises on its website. “The risk of death or serious injury during a lane splitting collision increases as speed and speed differential increases.”

Lane splitting is illegal in most states. In 2017, California explicitly defined it in the state’s vehicle code, as the first state to make it legal.

Some tips the CHP provided for motorcyclists include:

• Splitting in the far left lanes
• Avoid splitting next to big vehicles, such as buses and big rigs
• And considering the environment — the weather, lane width and lighting.

For all motorists, the CHP recommends checking your blind spots and mirrors, signaling before changing lanes or merging and sharing the road.

Here’s a run down of other motorcycle laws you might not know.

Riding on the shoulder

It’s illegal to ride a motorcycle on the shoulder of the road.

The shoulder is a portion of the road on the side of the outer lane and is for emergency use.

According to the CHP, driving on the shoulder is not considered lane splitting.

Blocking a motorcyclist

Hindering a motorcyclist from passing safely is illegal.

If you intentionally block a motorcyclist in a way that can harm them, such as opening your car’s door, you will get into legal trouble, the CHP states.

Motorcycles in the HOV lane

Motorcycles can legally ride the carpool lane in California.

According to Cal Trans, motorcycles, mass transit buses and vehicles with two or more occupants can use the HOV lanes.

This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.