Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? (2026 Motorcycle Law)

No. Michigan bans both lane splitting and lane filtering. MCL 257.660(5) says a person operating a motorcycle "shall not pass between lines of traffic," and the passing it does allow must be made "in an unoccupied lane," with no exception for stopped or slow traffic. A violation is a civil infraction under MCL 257.656(1), not a crime, and MCL 257.907 caps the civil fine at $100. For how other states treat the same maneuvers, see our guide to lane splitting laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-09. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Michigan state law in the Michigan Vehicle Code: the between-lines rule in MCL 257.660, the civil infraction designation in 257.656, the passing, lane and speed rules in 257.637, 257.642 and 257.627, the roadway definition in 257.55, the reckless and careless driving provisions in 257.626 and 257.626b, the moving-violation injury and death offenses in 257.601d, the fine and points sections 257.907, 257.601b and 257.320a, and 2025 Senate Bill 365. It does not cover city or township ordinances, court-by-court fine schedules, insurance consequences, or the law of other states.

What Michigan's law says about riding between lanes

Michigan's rule is in subsection (5) of MCL 257.660, a section that also governs mopeds, low-speed vehicles and similar small vehicles:

"(5) A person operating a motorcycle, moped, low-speed vehicle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric skateboard shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane."

"Pass between lines of traffic" covers lane splitting, riding along the line between two lanes of moving cars. It also covers lane filtering, moving up between rows of cars stopped at a light, because the subsection draws no line between moving and stopped traffic. The passing the subsection does allow has to happen "in an unoccupied lane."

The only exemption is subsection (9): "This section does not apply to a police officer in the performance of his or her official duties."

No Michigan statute authorizes lane splitting or filtering. Section 660(5) is the only between-lines rule in the motorcycle provisions of the Vehicle Code (sections 656 to 662) and in the lane-use and passing sections, 257.642 and 257.637.

Splitting, filtering, shoulders and riding two abreast

Full use of a lane and riding two abreast

Subsection (2) of section 660 protects the rider's space:

"(2) A motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane, and a motor vehicle must not be driven in such a manner as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles operated 2 abreast in a single lane or to the operation of a motorcycle in a manner that blocks, delays, or otherwise interferes with the movement of a streetcar on a streetcar track."

The duty runs against car drivers: a motor vehicle must not be driven in a way that takes away a motorcycle's full use of its lane. Two riders may share a lane with each other. Subsection (3) sets the limit: a person riding a motorcycle, moped, electric skateboard or electric personal assistive mobility device on a roadway "shall not ride more than 2 abreast except on a path or part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of those vehicles."

Riding on the shoulder

The shoulder answer comes from the general passing statute. Under MCL 257.637, a driver may pass on the right only when the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn, on a street or highway with unobstructed pavement wide enough for 2 or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction when the vehicles are moving in substantially continuous lanes, or on a 1-way street or 1-way roadway under the same condition. Subsection (2) then adds two limits:

"(2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting the overtaking and passing in safety. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway."

Michigan's definition of the roadway, in MCL 257.55, is "that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel." Unlike the definitions in some states, it does not expressly carve out the shoulder. The operative limit is the one in 637(2): a pass on the right may not be made by leaving the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway. For a motorcyclist, section 660(5) adds its own condition that any pass be made in an unoccupied lane. A violation of section 637 is a civil infraction (637(4)).

Penalty for lane splitting in Michigan

Section 660 has no penalty clause of its own. MCL 257.656(1) supplies it: "A person who violates any of sections 656 to 661a is responsible for a civil infraction." A civil infraction is not a crime, and it carries no jail time.

The amount comes from MCL 257.907, which was most recently amended by 2024 Public Acts 22 and 164, effective April 2, 2025. Subsection (2)(a) reads:

"(a) Except as otherwise provided, for a civil infraction under this act or a local ordinance that substantially corresponds to a provision of this act, the person must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00."

That is a maximum, not a set amount. On top of the fine, the court taxes costs of not more than $100 (907(4)) and must order a $40 justice system assessment for each civil infraction determination (907(12)). If the violation caused an at-fault collision, the fine is increased by $25 but the total civil fine still may not exceed $100 (907(2)(b)). Each district court and municipal court may set its own schedule of civil fines, costs and assessments (907(7)). Michigan has no single statewide fine for lane splitting, so the amount due on a particular ticket comes from the court named on it.

A rider who wants to admit responsibility may do so in person, by representation, or by mail (MCL 257.745(2)), and the court may then order any of the sanctions section 907 permits.

Fines double in some places. Under MCL 257.601b(1), a person responsible for a moving violation "in a work zone, at an emergency scene, or in a school zone" during the school-hours window the statute describes, "or in a school bus zone is subject to a fine that is double the fine otherwise prescribed for that moving violation."

Points on a Michigan driving record

The civil infraction determination is reported to the Secretary of State, which records points under MCL 257.320a. The point table has no line that names lane splitting. Two lines could apply, and the statute does not say which one the Secretary of State uses for a section 660(5) violation:

If more than one violation comes from the same incident, points are entered only for the violation with the highest number of points (320a(5)), and no points are entered for bond forfeitures (320a(3)).

Other rules and heavier charges

Reckless driving and careless driving are separate charges with their own elements; whether a particular ride meets them depends on the facts. A stop for lane splitting can also involve the general lane and speed rules:

Reckless driving becomes a felony when the reckless operation causes serious impairment of a body function to another person: up to 5 years in prison, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000, or both (626(3)). When it causes the death of another person, the felony carries up to 15 years, a fine of not less than $2,500 or more than $10,000, or both (626(4)).

None of the sections discussed here (626, 626b, 627, 637, 642 and 660) creates a separate offense called aggressive driving.

The bill to allow lane filtering: Senate Bill 365

2025 Senate Bill 365 would amend section 660 to allow filtering in narrow conditions. The introduced version reads:

"An individual operating a 2-wheeled motorcycle may pass between lines of traffic if traffic is stopped or is moving at not more than 10 miles per hour in the same direction, and if all of the following apply: (a) The street has at least 2 adjacent lanes in the same direction of travel. (b) The individual travels at a speed not exceeding 15 miles per hour. (c) The individual first ascertains that the movement can be made safely."

The bill was introduced on June 5, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 10, 2025. On October 8, 2026, its history listed no committee action after that. It is not law, and section 660(5) still bars filtering.

If a crash happens while splitting or filtering

Riding between lanes violates section 660(5), and that fact can come up after a collision. If the violation causes a crash that hurts someone, it can also be charged as a crime under MCL 257.601d, which has no recklessness element: a moving violation that causes serious impairment of a body function to another person is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, and a moving violation that is the proximate cause of another person's death is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. A moving violation that results in an at-fault collision also carries 4 points under 257.320a(1)(l). How a lane violation bears on fault, insurance and an injury claim is covered in our guide to Michigan motorcycle accident laws. For the rules that apply to crashes generally, see Michigan car accident laws.

Related pages

• Lane splitting laws by state
• Michigan motorcycle accident laws
• Michigan car accident laws

This article provides general legal information about Michigan law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Michigan or the court named on your citation.

Last updated: 2026-10-09.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lane splitting legal in Michigan?

No. MCL 257.660(5) says a person operating a motorcycle shall not pass between lines of traffic, and any pass must be made in an unoccupied lane.

Is lane filtering legal in Michigan?

No. Section 257.660(5) has no exception for stopped or slow traffic, so moving up between rows of stopped cars is also barred. 2025 Senate Bill 365 would allow filtering at low speeds, but it was referred to committee in June 2025 and is not law.

Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Michigan?

Not to pass traffic. MCL 257.637(2) says a driver shall not pass another vehicle on the right by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.

What is the fine for lane splitting in Michigan?

A violation is a civil infraction under MCL 257.656(1), and MCL 257.907(2)(a) caps the civil fine at $100. Court costs of up to $100 and a mandatory $40 justice system assessment are added (MCL 257.907(4) and (12)), and the fine doubles in a work zone, a school zone (from 30 minutes before school through 30 minutes after), a school bus zone or at an emergency scene under MCL 257.601b.

Does lane splitting put points on your license in Michigan?

The point table in MCL 257.320a has no lane-splitting line. Improper passing is 3 points, all other moving violations are 2 points, and a moving violation that results in an at-fault collision is 4 points.

Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Michigan?

Yes. MCL 257.660(3) bars riding more than 2 abreast, so two motorcycles may share a lane.

Can motorcycles use the HOV lane in Michigan?

Yes. MCL 257.642(2)(d) lists motorcycles among the vehicles HOV-lane restrictions do not apply to.