Kansas
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Kansas? (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 Kansas. K.S.A. 8-1595(c) states: "No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles." That wording reaches lane filtering between stopped cars too, because the only exception in the section is for police officers on duty. A violation is a traffic infraction listed at $75 on the state's uniform fine schedule, with court costs added. For how other states treat the same question, 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 Kansas state law: the motorcycle lane rules in K.S.A. 8-1595, the passing and lane-use rules in 8-1516, 8-1517 and 8-1522, and the traffic-infraction and fine rules in 8-2116 and 8-2118, and the moving-violation list in K.A.R. 92-52-9. It does not cover city ordinances, insurance consequences, or the law of other states.
What K.S.A. 8-1595 says
Section 8-1595, headed "Same; roadways laned for traffic," sets the Kansas rules written specifically for motorcycles on laned roads. It reads:
"(a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane. (b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (d) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane. (e) Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties."
Subsection (c) 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.
Subsection (b) is a separate rule. It bars a motorcycle from passing a vehicle inside the lane that vehicle occupies. The text applies to "the vehicle being overtaken" without an exception for passing another motorcycle.
The section's history line lists only its 1974 enactment (L. 1974, ch. 33).
Splitting, filtering, shoulders and riding two abreast
| Maneuver | What it means | Kansas rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lane splitting | Riding between lanes of moving traffic | Prohibited by 8-1595(c): no riding "between lanes of traffic" |
| Lane filtering | Riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic | Not authorized: 8-1595(c) also bars riding "between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles" and has no exception for stopped traffic |
| Passing in the same lane | Passing a vehicle inside the lane it occupies | Prohibited by 8-1595(b) |
| Shoulder passing | Leaving the roadway to get past traffic on the right | Prohibited by 8-1517(b), except as authorized under K.S.A. 75-5091 |
| Riding two abreast | Two motorcycles side by side in one lane | Allowed; more than two abreast is prohibited by 8-1595(d) |
The only exception to the between-lanes ban is in 8-1595(e), which exempts "police officers in the performance of their official duties" from subsections (b) and (c). There is no exception for stopped traffic, slow traffic, or a rider's speed.
Shoulders, passing and staying in a lane
Riders sometimes use the shoulder to get around a backup. K.S.A. 8-1517 controls passing on the right. Under 8-1517(a), a driver may pass on the right only "(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle; or (3) a transit bus authorized under and being operated in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-5091." Subsection (b) then limits how it is done:
"(b) 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, except as authorized under K.S.A. 75-5091, and amendments thereto."
The 75-5091 exception was added in 2010 alongside the transit-bus clause in subsection (a)(3). Nothing in 8-1517 allows riding between lanes, which 8-1595(c) still bars.
The basic overtaking rule is K.S.A. 8-1516(a): a driver overtaking another vehicle "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."
Kansas's general lane rule applies to every vehicle on a marked multi-lane road. K.S.A. 8-1522(a) provides that "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."
Penalty for lane splitting in Kansas
Under K.S.A. 8-2116(a), every person convicted of "violating any of the sections listed in the uniform fine schedule in K.S.A. 8-2118, and amendments thereto, is guilty of a traffic infraction." Section 8-1595 is on that schedule, so lane splitting is a traffic infraction.
The schedule in K.S.A. 8-2118(c) lists these amounts for the lane and passing rules:
| Schedule entry | Statute | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Improper operation of motorcycle on laned roadway | 8-1595 | $75 |
| Improper passing on right | 8-1517 | $75 |
| Improper driving on laned roadway | 8-1522 | $75 |
| Improper passing; increasing speed when passed | 8-1516 | $75 |
Section 8-2118(a) provides that the fine "shall be no greater than that specified in the uniform fine schedule in subsection (c) and court costs shall be taxed as provided by law," so court costs come on top of the $75. These sections do not state the amount of court costs. The schedule also "shall not limit the fine that may be imposed following a court appearance, except an appearance made for the purpose of pleading and payment as permitted by subsection (a)" (8-2118(c)).
The fine doubles in a road construction zone. K.S.A. 8-2118(e) provides that schedule fines "shall be doubled if a person is convicted of a traffic infraction, which is defined as a moving violation" under the state's regulations, "committed within any road construction zone." K.S.A. 8-1458a defines that zone as the part of a highway "identified by posted or moving signs as being a construction or maintenance work area." Kansas regulation K.A.R. 92-52-9 lists K.S.A. 8-1595, and K.S.A. 8-1514 through 8-1524, as moving violations, so lane splitting or improper passing on the right in a signed work zone carries a $150 scheduled fine plus court costs.
If a lane maneuver leads to a crash
A ticket under 8-1595 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 Kansas motorcycle accident laws, and for crashes generally, Kansas car accident laws.
Related pages
This article provides general legal information about Kansas law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Kansas or the court named on the citation.
Last updated: 2026-10-08.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Kansas?
No. K.S.A. 8-1595(c) provides that no person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. A violation is a traffic infraction with a $75 fine on the uniform schedule in K.S.A. 8-2118, plus court costs.
Is lane filtering legal in Kansas?
No. Section 8-1595(c) bars riding between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles and contains no exception for stopped or slow traffic. The only exception, in 8-1595(e), covers police officers performing official duties.
What is the fine for lane splitting in Kansas?
The uniform fine schedule in K.S.A. 8-2118 lists improper operation of a motorcycle on a laned roadway under 8-1595 at $75, and court costs are taxed in addition. The fine doubles to $150 if the violation is committed in a road construction zone (8-2118(e)). On a guilty or no contest plea the schedule amount is the most the fine can be; the schedule does not limit the fine a court may impose after any other court appearance.
Can a motorcycle ride on the shoulder to pass traffic in Kansas?
No. K.S.A. 8-1517(b) says passing on the right shall not be made by driving off the roadway, except as authorized under K.S.A. 75-5091. Improper passing on the right is listed at $75 on the 8-2118 schedule.
Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Kansas?
Yes. K.S.A. 8-1595(d) bars operating motorcycles more than two abreast in a single lane, so two abreast is allowed.
Can a motorcycle pass a car in the same lane in Kansas?
No. K.S.A. 8-1595(b) says the operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
Can a car crowd a motorcycle out of its lane in Kansas?
No. K.S.A. 8-1595(a) says all motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven so as to deprive any motorcycle of that full use, except where motorcycles are riding two abreast in a single 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.
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 8: AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
§ 8-1595Same; roadways laned for traffic.In force
(a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane. (b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (d) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane. (e) Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
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Sources and References
- K.S.A. 8-1595, Motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-1517, Overtaking on the right(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-1516, Overtaking a vehicle on the left(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-1522, Driving on roadways laned for traffic(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-2116, Traffic infractions(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-2118, Uniform fine schedule(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-1458a, Road construction zone defined(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.A.R. 92-52-9, Moving violations defined(law.cornell.edu)