Is Lane Splitting Legal in Illinois? Lane Filtering Rules (2026)

Illinois has no law that names lane splitting, and none that allows it. Two general rules decide the question instead: 625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) requires a vehicle on a marked multi-lane roadway to be driven "as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane," and 625 ILCS 5/11-704(b) bars a 2-wheeled vehicle from passing on the right of another vehicle unless "the unobstructed pavement to the right of the vehicle being passed is of a width of not less than 8 feet." Riding between lanes of cars is therefore not authorized in Illinois. For how other states handle it, see our guide to lane splitting laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-08. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Illinois state law in the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5): the laned-roadway rule in 11-709, the passing rules in 11-703 and 11-704, the motorcycle definition in 1-147, the motorcycle sections 11-1403 to 11-1405, the roadway definition in 1-179, the speed rules in 11-601 and 11-601.5, reckless driving in 11-503, the default penalty in 16-104, and the sentencing ranges in 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5. It does not cover Chicago or other local ordinances, county fine schedules, insurance consequences, or the law of other states.

What the Illinois Vehicle Code says

Illinois does not have a motorcycle section like the ones some states use to ban riding "between lanes of traffic." The Vehicle Code's motorcycle sections, 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 through 11-1405 in Article XIV of Chapter 11, cover subjects such as seating, handlebars, riding on one wheel, eye protection and footrests. They contain no rule on lane splitting or filtering, no full-use-of-a-lane rule, and no rule on riding two abreast. Chapter 11's only two-abreast rule, 11-1505.1, is for bicycles and motorized pedal cycles.

That leaves the rules every vehicle follows. A motorcycle is a vehicle under the Code: 625 ILCS 5/1-147 defines it as "Every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding an autocycle or tractor."

The single-lane rule

625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) applies on any roadway divided into lanes:

"Whenever any roadway has been divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply. (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety."

A rider traveling on the line between two lanes is not "entirely within a single lane."

The 8-foot rule for 2-wheeled vehicles

Illinois has one passing rule written for 2-wheeled vehicles. 625 ILCS 5/11-704(b) reads:

"(b) The driver of a 2-wheeled vehicle may not pass upon the right of any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the unobstructed pavement to the right of the vehicle being passed is of a width of not less than 8 feet. This subsection does not apply to devices propelled by human power."

A motorcycle squeezing past a car on the car's right side needs at least 8 feet of unobstructed pavement to the right of that car. The rule does not relax for stopped or slow traffic. The last sentence exempts bicycles and other human-powered devices, not motorcycles.

Subsection (c) adds a condition for every vehicle: "The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway."

The weaving rule in 11-703(c)

625 ILCS 5/11-703(c) is often described as a lane splitting ban. Its text is narrower. It reads:

"(c) The driver of a 2 wheeled vehicle may not, in passing upon the left of any vehicle proceeding in the same direction, pass upon the right of any vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless there is an unobstructed lane of traffic available to permit such passing maneuver safely."

In plain terms, a rider who passes one vehicle on its left may not, in the same move, pass another vehicle on its right unless an unobstructed lane is available to do so safely. It limits weaving between vehicles; it does not mention lanes of traffic being split.

Splitting, filtering, shoulders and riding two abreast

Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Illinois?

Not to pass. Both passing rules close that route. On the right, 11-704(c) says the movement "shall not be made by driving off the roadway." 625 ILCS 5/1-179 defines the roadway as the part of a highway used for vehicle travel, "exclusive of the berm or shoulder," so riding the shoulder is driving off the roadway. On the left, 11-703(a) says a passing driver "shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or the main traveled portion of the roadway."

Three-wheeled motorcycles

Because 11-704(b) covers only 2-wheeled vehicles, a three-wheeled motorcycle follows 11-704(a), which applies to "a vehicle with 3 or more wheels." That subsection allows passing on the right only in three situations: when the vehicle overtaken "is making or about to make a left turn"; on a roadway "with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for 2 or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle"; or on a one-way roadway "free from obstructions and of sufficient width for 2 or more lines of moving vehicles." Subsection (c), requiring safety and barring passing off the roadway, applies as well.

What happens if you are caught lane splitting in Illinois

The Vehicle Code's default penalty section, 625 ILCS 5/16-104, applies to a violation "for which another penalty is not provided":

"Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this Code for which another penalty is not provided shall, for a first or second conviction thereof, be guilty of a petty offense and, for a third or subsequent conviction within one year after the first conviction, be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor."

So a ticket under 11-709(a), 11-704 or 11-703 is a petty offense on a first or second conviction, unless another section of the Code provides a different penalty for it. A third or later conviction within one year after the first is a Class C misdemeanor. A petty offense is punished by a fine, not jail: unless another law sets the amount, the fine is at least $75 and no more than $1,000 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-75). A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-65).

Speed and reckless driving add separate layers. Neither the speed statutes nor the reckless driving statute mentions lane splitting; each applies only when the riding meets its own elements.

Speed. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), "No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property." That rule applies even below the posted limit. A speeding violation falls under the 16-104 default unless it is 26 mph or more over the limit: under 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5, 26 to 34 mph over is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,500 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-60), and 35 mph or more over is a Class A misdemeanor.

Reckless driving. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-503(a)(1), a person commits reckless driving if he or she "drives any vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." Riding between lanes is not reckless driving in itself; the charge requires that willful or wanton disregard. Reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a jail sentence of less than one year and a fine of up to $2,500 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55). If the violation results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, it is aggravated reckless driving, a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in prison (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-45) and a fine of up to $25,000 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50). Reckless driving that causes bodily harm to a child or to a school crossing guard on duty is a Class 4 felony, and causing great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to one is a Class 3 felony.

Federal law and lane splitting

Lane use is set state by state. The federal motorcyclist safety grant rule, 23 CFR 1300.25, sets criteria for rider training and motorist awareness programs and says nothing about lane splitting or filtering, so the Illinois Vehicle Code controls.

If a crash happens

Whether a rider was splitting or filtering can come up after a collision, but it is one fact among many in a fault and injury claim. For how fault, insurance and filing deadlines work, see our guide to Illinois motorcycle accident laws. For crash rules that apply to every driver, see Illinois car accident laws.

Related pages

• Lane splitting laws by state
• Illinois motorcycle accident laws
• Illinois car accident laws
• Indiana lane splitting laws
• Wisconsin lane splitting laws

This article provides general legal information about Illinois law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Illinois.

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lane splitting legal in Illinois?

No Illinois law authorizes it. 625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) requires a vehicle to be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane, and 11-704(b) bars a 2-wheeled vehicle from passing on the right unless at least 8 feet of unobstructed pavement lies to the right of the vehicle being passed.

Is lane filtering legal in Illinois?

No law authorizes it. Neither the single-lane rule in 11-709(a) nor the 8-foot rule in 11-704(b) has an exception for stopped traffic.

What is the 8-foot rule for motorcycles in Illinois?

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-704(b), the driver of a 2-wheeled vehicle may not pass on the right of another vehicle going the same direction unless the unobstructed pavement to the right of the vehicle being passed is at least 8 feet wide.

Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Illinois?

Not to pass. 625 ILCS 5/11-704(c) says passing on the right shall not be made by driving off the roadway, and 11-703(a) says passing on the left may never be made by driving off the pavement or the main traveled portion of the roadway.

What is the penalty for lane splitting in Illinois?

Unless another section provides a different penalty, 625 ILCS 5/16-104 makes a Vehicle Code violation a petty offense on a first or second conviction, with a fine of $75 to $1,000 and no jail (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-75), and a Class C misdemeanor on a third or later conviction within one year after the first, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500 (730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-65). Riding that shows a willful or wanton disregard for safety can be charged as reckless driving, a more serious offense.

Can lane splitting be reckless driving in Illinois?

It can if the rider drives with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, the element in 625 ILCS 5/11-503(a)(1); riding between lanes alone does not meet it. Reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by less than one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. If it results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, it is aggravated reckless driving, a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in prison.

Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Illinois?

The Illinois Vehicle Code's motorcycle sections (11-1403 to 11-1405) have no rule on riding two abreast, either allowing or banning it. The Code's two-abreast rule in 11-1505.1 covers bicycles and motorized pedal cycles, not motorcycles.