Iowa
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Iowa? (2026 Law and Fines)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 8, 2026). · 7 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Lane splitting is illegal in Iowa. Iowa Code 321.275(4) says a motorcycle or motorized bicycle "shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles," and that wording reaches lane filtering between stopped cars as well, because the section has no stopped-traffic exception. The scheduled fine is $50, plus court costs. To compare Iowa with the rest of the country, 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 Iowa state law: the motorcycle and motorized bicycle rules in Iowa Code 321.275, the passing rules in 321.299 and 321.302, the scheduled fines in 805.8A, payment of scheduled violations under 805.9, the simple-misdemeanor rule in 321.482, and the added injury and death penalties in 321.482A. It does not cover city ordinances, insurance consequences, or the law of other states.
What Iowa Code 321.275(4) says
Subsection 4 of section 321.275, titled "Use of traffic lanes," is the controlling text. It reads in full:
"4. Use of traffic lanes. Persons shall not operate motorcycles or motorized bicycles more than two abreast in a single lane. Except for persons operating such vehicles two abreast, a motor vehicle shall not be operated in a manner depriving a motorcycle or motorized bicycle operator of the full use of a lane. A motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The operator of a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken unless the vehicle being overtaken is a motorcycle or motorized bicycle."
The third sentence is the lane splitting ban. It has two parts joined by "or": riding "between lanes of traffic" and riding "between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles." Either one is a violation, and neither part sets a condition based on how fast traffic is moving.
The ban covers motorized bicycles as well as motorcycles. Section 321.275(1) adds that "The motor vehicle laws apply to the operators of motorcycles and motorized bicycles to the extent practically applicable," so the passing rules discussed below bind riders too.
Splitting, filtering, shoulders and riding two abreast
| Maneuver | What it means | Iowa rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lane splitting | Riding between lanes of moving traffic | Prohibited by 321.275(4): no riding "between lanes of traffic" |
| Lane filtering | Riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic | Not authorized: 321.275(4) also bars riding "between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles" and has no exception for stopped traffic |
| Passing in the same lane | Passing a car inside its own lane | Prohibited by 321.275(4) unless the vehicle being passed is a motorcycle or motorized bicycle |
| Shoulder passing | Using the shoulder or leaving the pavement to get past traffic | Prohibited when overtaking or passing on the right or the left by 321.302(3) |
| Riding two abreast | Two motorcycles side by side in one lane | Allowed; more than two abreast is prohibited by 321.275(4) |
The only exemption in the section is for parades. Section 321.275(7) states: "The provisions of this section do not apply to motorcycles or motorized bicycles when used in a parade authorized by proper permit from local authorities." There is no exemption for slow traffic, stopped traffic, or a rider's speed.
Subsection 4 also protects riders. Except where riders are already two abreast, a car or truck may not be driven in a way that deprives a motorcycle or motorized bicycle operator "of the full use of a lane."
Shoulders and passing on the right
Riders sometimes use the shoulder to get around a backup. Iowa Code 321.302(3) closes that option when passing:
"3. The driver of a vehicle shall not drive off the pavement or upon the shoulder of the roadway or upon the apron or roadway of an intersecting roadway in overtaking or passing on the right or the left."
Passing on the right is allowed only in narrow cases. Under 321.302(1), a driver may pass on the right of a vehicle "which is making or about to make a left turn" on a roadway with pavement wide enough for two or more lines of traffic moving in the same direction. Under 321.302(2), a driver may pass on the left or the right on "a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for four or more lines of moving traffic." Both require that the movement "can be made in safety." Neither allows riding between lanes, which 321.275(4) still bars.
The basic overtaking rule is Iowa Code 321.299(1): a driver overtaking another vehicle "shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle."
Under 321.302(4), a person convicted of violating section 321.302 "is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6."
Penalty for lane splitting in Iowa
Iowa sets scheduled fines in Iowa Code 805.8A(6), which lists operating violations. The amounts relevant to lane use are:
| Violation | Statute | Scheduled fine |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle and motorized bicycle rules, including the between-lanes ban | 321.275, subsections 1 through 7 (805.8A(6)(b)) | $50 |
| Overtaking and passing to the left | 321.299 (805.8A(6)(f)) | $135 |
| Passing on the right, including passing on the shoulder or off the pavement | 321.302 (805.8A(6)(g)) | $135 |
The scheduled fine is not the whole amount due. When a person admits a scheduled violation and pays, Iowa Code 805.9(1) calls for "the minimum fine for the violation, plus court costs, to a scheduled violations office in the county." These sections do not state the amount of court costs.
Fines double in a work zone. Iowa Code 805.8A(14)(i) provides that the scheduled fine "for any moving traffic violation under chapter 321, as provided in this section, shall be doubled if the violation occurs within any road work zone, as defined in section 321.1." In a road work zone, the $50 fine for riding between lanes and the $135 fine for passing on the shoulder can therefore double to $100 and $270, plus court costs.
A ticket under 321.275(4) is a criminal charge, not just a fee. Iowa Code 321.482 makes it "a simple misdemeanor for a person to do an act forbidden or to fail to perform an act required by this chapter" unless another class is provided, and 321.275(4) is handled as a scheduled violation. Paying the fine with a signed admission is not a neutral payment: under 805.9(1), "The admission constitutes a conviction," and for a moving violation under chapter 321 an abstract is forwarded to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Penalties rise when a violation hurts someone. Iowa Code 321.482A provides that a person "convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of" a list of sections that includes "section 321.275, subsection 4," 321.299 and 321.302, "causing serious injury to or the death of another person may be subject to" penalties "in addition to the penalty provided for a scheduled violation in section 805.8A":
- For a violation causing serious injury, "a fine of five hundred dollars or suspension of the violator's driver's license or operating privileges for not more than ninety days, or both."
- For a violation causing death, "a fine of one thousand dollars or suspension of the violator's driver's license or operating privileges for not more than one hundred eighty days, or both."
Subsection 4 also bars a motor vehicle from being operated in a way that deprives a rider of the full use of a lane, so a driver convicted of crowding a motorcycle out of its lane and causing serious injury or death falls within the same added-penalty provision.
If a lane maneuver leads to a crash
A ticket under 321.275(4) is one fact in a crash claim; it does not decide fault by itself. For how fault, insurance and filing deadlines work after a motorcycle crash, see our guide to Iowa motorcycle accident laws, and for crashes generally, Iowa car accident laws.
Related pages
This article provides general legal information about Iowa law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Iowa or the clerk of court in the county where a citation was issued.
Last updated: 2026-10-08.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Iowa?
No. Iowa Code 321.275(4) provides that a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The scheduled fine is $50 under Iowa Code 805.8A(6)(b), plus court costs.
Is lane filtering legal in Iowa?
No. Section 321.275(4) bars riding between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles and has no exception for stopped or slow traffic, so moving up between lines of cars stopped at a light is not authorized.
What is the fine for lane splitting in Iowa?
Iowa Code 805.8A(6)(b) sets a $50 scheduled fine for a violation of section 321.275, subsections 1 through 7. Under Iowa Code 805.9(1), court costs are paid along with the fine. Under 805.8A(14)(i), the scheduled fine for a moving traffic violation under chapter 321 is doubled in a road work zone, which would make it $100.
Can a motorcycle ride on the shoulder to pass traffic in Iowa?
No. Iowa Code 321.302(3) says a driver shall not drive off the pavement or upon the shoulder of the roadway in overtaking or passing on the right or the left. The scheduled fine for a 321.302 violation is $135 under 805.8A(6)(g).
Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Code 321.275(4) bars operating motorcycles or motorized bicycles more than two abreast in a single lane, so two abreast is allowed.
Can a motorcycle pass a car in the same lane in Iowa?
No. Under Iowa Code 321.275(4), a motorcycle or motorized bicycle operator shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken unless that vehicle is a motorcycle or motorized bicycle.
Can a car crowd a motorcycle out of its lane in Iowa?
No. Iowa Code 321.275(4) says that, except for riders operating two abreast, a motor vehicle shall not be operated in a manner depriving a motorcycle or motorized bicycle operator of the full use of a lane.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Iowa Code, Chapter 321: MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD
§ 321.275Operation of motorcycles and motorized bicycles.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. General. The motor vehicle laws apply to the operators of motorcycles and motorized bicycles to the extent practically applicable. 2. Riders. a. Motorized bicycles. A person operating a motorized bicycle on the highways shall not carry any other person on the vehicle. b. Motorcycles. A person shall not operate or ride a motorcycle on the highways with another person on the motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person. The additional passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear of the operator. The motorcycle shall be equipped with footrests for the passenger unless the passenger is riding in a sidecar or enclosed cab. The motorcycle operator shall not carry any person nor shall any other person ride in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator. 3. Sitting position. A person operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall ride only upon the vehicle’s permanent and regular attached seat.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 1991
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Meyer v. City of Des Moines (Supreme Court of Iowa 1991, 475 N.W.2d 181)“…ider in the following order. II. Jury Instructions. A. Iowa Code section 321.275(4): Full use of a lane. During the l…”
- Rosas v. Danilson (Supreme Court of Iowa 1986, 387 N.W.2d 767)“…ded). A final statutory provision which we will consider is Iowa Code section 321.275(1) which states: The motor vehicle la…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Motorcycle Accident Laws in Iowa (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
§ 321.1Definitions of words and phrases.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them. 1. a. “Agricultural hazardous material” means a hazardous material, other than hazardous waste, whose end use directly supports the production of an agricultural commodity, including but not limited to a fertilizer, pesticide, beneficial substance, or fuel. b. “Agricultural hazardous material” is limited to material in class 3, 8, or 9, division 2.1, 2.2, 5.1, or 6.1, or an ORM-D material as defined in 49 C.F.R. §171.8. 1A. “Air bag” means a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system that operates in the event of a crash and is designed in accordance with federal motor vehicle safety standards for the specific make, model, and year of the motor vehicle in which it is or will be installed. “Air bag” includes all component parts to a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system, including but not limited to the cover, sensors, controllers, inflators, wiring, and seat belt systems. 1B. “Alcohol concentration” means the number of grams of alcohol per any of the following: a. One hundred milliliters of blood. b.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov
Cited in 70 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Lee v. Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. (Supreme Court of Iowa 2002, 646 N.W.2d 403)“…red, a category that includes passengers. See Iowa Code §§ 321.1 (24A), .20B (Supp.1997). Lee reasons th…”
- State v. Peters (Supreme Court of Iowa 1994, 525 N.W.2d 854)“…eters was operating met the definitional parameters of both Iowa Code section 321.1(2)(a) 1 (defining motor ve…”
- Zimmer v. Vander Waal (Supreme Court of Iowa 2010, 780 N.W.2d 730)“…roperty is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway.” Iowa Code § 321.1 (90). The parties agree the trailer in…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: E-Scooter Laws by State: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026), Iowa E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
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Sources and References
- Iowa Code 321.275, Operation of motorcycles and motorized bicycles(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 805.8A, scheduled fines for operating violations(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 805.9, admission of scheduled violation and payment with court costs(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 321.302, overtaking on the right(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 321.299, overtaking a vehicle(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 321.482A, violations causing serious injury or death(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 321.482, violations are simple misdemeanors unless otherwise provided(legis.iowa.gov).gov