Oregon
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Oregon? Rules and Penalties (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 10, 2026). · 16 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Oregon. ORS 814.240(1)(b) makes it an offense when a motorcycle or moped operator "Operates a moped or motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles," and the only exception is for a police officer performing official duties. The offense is a Class B traffic violation, which carries a presumptive fine of $265 under ORS 153.019 and a maximum fine of $1,000 under ORS 153.018. For how other states handle it, 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 Oregon state law in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS): the motorcycle passing and two-abreast rules in 814.240 and 814.250, the lane and passing rules in 811.370 and 811.415, the roadway and shoulder definitions in 801.450 and 801.480, the speed, careless driving and reckless driving offenses in 811.100, 811.135 and 811.140, the violation fines and procedure in Chapter 153, the misdemeanor limits in 161.615 and 161.635, the lane-change rule in 811.375, the work-zone rule in 811.230, the reckless-driving suspension in 809.411 and 809.428, and the 2021, 2023 and 2025 filtering bills (Senate Bill 574, Senate Bill 422 and House Bill 3542). It does not cover city ordinances, Oregon DMV driver-improvement rules, insurance consequences, fault in a crash, or the law of other states.
What ORS 814.240 says
Oregon's lane rule for motorcycles is the offense of "motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle." ORS 814.240 reads:
"(1) A motorcycle operator or moped operator commits the offense of motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle if the operator does any of the following: (a) Overtakes and passes in the same lane occupied by the vehicle the operator is overtaking, unless the vehicle being passed is a motorcycle or a moped. (b) Operates a moped or motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (2) This section does not apply to a police officer in the performance of official duties. (3) The offense described in this section, motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle, is a Class B traffic violation."
The section covers both practices riders ask about:
- Lane splitting. Riding between lanes of moving traffic is operating "between lanes of traffic."
- Lane filtering. Riding between rows of cars stopped at a light is operating "between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles." The section has no exception for stopped or slow traffic.
- Passing within a lane. Subsection (1)(a) also bars overtaking a vehicle inside its own lane, unless that vehicle is itself a motorcycle or moped.
The only exemption is in subsection (2), for "a police officer in the performance of official duties." The section's history note shows only its 1983 enactment (1983 c.338 section 689), so Oregon has not amended it to allow filtering, and the Legislature's table of sections amended or repealed in the 2026 session does not list 814.240.
| Maneuver | Oregon rule |
|---|---|
| Lane splitting (between lanes of moving traffic) | Prohibited by ORS 814.240(1)(b); Class B traffic violation |
| Lane filtering (between rows of stopped vehicles) | Prohibited by 814.240(1)(b), which covers "adjacent lines or rows of vehicles" |
| Passing a car inside its own lane | Prohibited by 814.240(1)(a), unless the vehicle passed is a motorcycle or moped |
| Two motorcycles side by side in one lane | Not an offense; more than two abreast is a Class B traffic violation under 814.250 |
| Passing on the shoulder | Barred by 811.415(1)(b) when it means driving off the paved portion of the highway |
Riding two abreast
Oregon allows two motorcycles side by side in a lane but not three. Under ORS 814.250, a person commits the offense of operating a moped or motorcycle more than two abreast if, on a roadway laned for traffic, "the person is riding abreast of more than one other motorcycle or moped in the same lane for traffic." Subsection (2) says that for this section "a motorcycle does not include an autocycle," and subsection (3) makes the offense a Class B traffic violation.
The lane and passing rules
Staying in a lane. On a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes, ORS 811.370(1) makes it the offense of failure to drive within a lane if the driver does not "(a) Operate the vehicle as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane; and (b) Refrain from moving from that lane until the driver has first made certain that the movement can be made with safety." Under 811.370(3), it is a Class B traffic violation.
Changing lanes. Under ORS 811.375, changing lanes when "The movement cannot be made with reasonable safety," or without signaling continuously for at least the last 100 feet, is unlawful or unsignaled change of lanes, a Class D traffic violation (presumptive fine $115 under ORS 153.019(1)(d)).
Passing on the right. ORS 811.415 creates the offense of unsafe passing on the right. Subsection (1) reads:
"(1) A person commits the offense of unsafe passing on the right if the person: (a) Drives a vehicle to overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle at any time not permitted under this section. (b) Drives a vehicle to overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle at any time by driving off the paved portion of the highway."
Subsection (2) permits passing on the right only when the overtaken vehicle is making or has signaled a left turn, the paved portion of the highway is wide enough for two or more lanes of vehicles to proceed lawfully in the same direction, and the roadway ahead is unobstructed far enough to pass in safety; when the overtaken vehicle is in the left lane of two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic moving the same way; or when the overtaking vehicle is a bicycle that may safely pass. Under 811.415(3), unsafe passing on the right is a Class B traffic violation.
Can you ride on the shoulder?
Oregon defines the two terms separately. Under ORS 801.450, the roadway is "the portion of a highway that is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder." Under ORS 801.480, the shoulder is "the portion of a highway, whether paved or unpaved, contiguous to the roadway that is primarily for use by pedestrians, for the accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of base and surface courses."
Those definitions matter because of how the passing statute is written. Passing on the right is allowed only in the situations 811.415(2) lists, and passing on the right "by driving off the paved portion of the highway" is unsafe passing on the right under 811.415(1)(b). The shoulder, paved or not, is defined as space primarily for pedestrians, stopped vehicles and emergency use, and it is not part of the roadway.
What happens if you are caught
Fines for a Class B traffic violation
A violation of 814.240, 814.250, 811.370 or 811.415 is a Class B traffic violation. Chapter 153 sets the fines:
| Fine | Amount for a Class B violation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Presumptive fine | $265 | ORS 153.019(1)(b) |
| Minimum fine | $135 | ORS 153.021(1)(b) |
| Maximum fine | $1,000 | ORS 153.018(2)(b) |
| Presumptive fine in a highway work zone | $525 | ORS 153.020(1)(b) |
Under 153.019(3), "Any surcharge imposed under ORS 1.188 shall be added to and made a part of the presumptive fine," so the amount on a citation can be higher than $265. ORS 1.188 allows a $5 courthouse surcharge in counties where the presiding judge has ordered one. The work-zone figure applies when the officer "notes on the citation that the offense occurred in a highway work zone and is subject to the provisions of ORS 811.230" (153.020(1)); ORS 811.230(3)(a) applies to "Class A or Class B traffic violations" committed in a highway work zone. A highway work zone counts "regardless of whether or not highway workers are actually present" (811.230(1)(b)). For reckless driving in a highway work zone, 811.230(2)(b) sets a minimum fine of 20 percent of the maximum fine, which is $1,250.
A traffic violation is not a crime. ORS 153.008(2) says, "Conviction of a violation does not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a crime."
Paying the ticket and your driving record
Paying the presumptive fine is a plea. Under ORS 153.061(3), a person cited for a violation may enter a plea of no contest by delivering the summons and the presumptive fine to the court, or by appearing electronically or by telephone, and "The entry of a plea under paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection constitutes a waiver of trial and consent to the entry of a judgment forfeiting the presumptive fine."
Under ORS 153.111(1), "Upon entry of a conviction for a traffic offense, the court shall forward to the Department of Transportation an abstract of conviction." This page does not state how a 814.240 conviction counts under Oregon DMV's driver-improvement program; check with the DMV or the court on your citation.
Speed, careless driving and reckless driving
Each of these is a separate charge with its own elements; whether a particular ride meets them depends on the facts.
| Offense | What it requires | Classification and penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Basic speed rule, ORS 811.100 | Not driving "at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to" the traffic, the surface and width of the highway, the hazard at intersections, weather, visibility and any other conditions then existing | Class B traffic violation when the speed is not reasonable and prudent "even though the speed is lower than the appropriate speed specified in ORS 811.105" (811.100(4)) |
| Careless driving, ORS 811.135 | Driving "in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property" | Class B traffic violation; Class A traffic violation (presumptive fine $440, maximum $2,000) if it contributes to an accident |
| Reckless driving, ORS 811.140 | Recklessly driving a vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public "in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property" | Class A misdemeanor: up to 364 days in jail (ORS 161.615(1)) and a fine of up to $6,250 (ORS 161.635(1)(a)). DMV must also suspend driving privileges (ORS 809.411(3)): 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second and three years for a third within five years (809.428(1)) |
Careless driving carries added consequences when someone vulnerable is hurt. Under 811.135(3), if the court finds the offense contributed to the serious physical injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way, it must require a traffic safety course and 100 to 200 hours of community service, and must order, but suspend on the condition that those requirements are completed, a fine of up to $12,500 and a one-year suspension of driving privileges.
ORS chapters 811, 814 and 153 contain no offense named aggressive driving.
Filtering bills that did not pass
Bills to allow filtering have been introduced, but none has become law.
- 2021 Senate Bill 574. Its summary: "Allows operator of motorcycle to travel between lanes of traffic under certain conditions." The Legislature passed it, but the Governor vetoed it; the Legislature's measure page lists it as "Senate Desk - Vetoed" (2021 SB 574).
- 2023 Senate Bill 422. Its catchline: "Allows motorcycle operator to travel between lanes of traffic under certain conditions." The Legislature's measure page lists it as "In House Committee," with no chapter number and no effective date (2023 SB 422).
- 2025 House Bill 3542. Its catchline: "Allows a motorcycle operator to travel between lanes of traffic under certain conditions." The measure summary adds that it "Increases the penalty for committing the offense of motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle. Punishes a violation by a maximum $2,000 fine." The measure page lists it as in committee with no chapter number (2025 HB 3542).
Because none of these bills was enacted, the 814.240 ban and the Class B penalty above remain in effect.
Federal law and lane splitting
We found no federal statute or regulation that addresses lane splitting; the rules come from state traffic law.
If a crash happens
How a lane violation bears on fault and an injury claim is covered in our guide to Oregon motorcycle accident laws. For the crash rules that apply to every driver, see Oregon car accident laws.
Related pages
- Lane splitting laws by state
- Oregon motorcycle accident laws
- Oregon car accident laws
- Lane splitting laws in California
This article provides general legal information about Oregon law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Oregon or the court named on your citation.
Last updated: 2026-10-09.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Oregon?
No. ORS 814.240(1)(b) makes it an offense to operate a motorcycle or moped between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. It is a Class B traffic violation.
Did Oregon legalize lane filtering?
No. A 2021 bill to allow filtering (SB 574) was vetoed, later bills in 2023 (SB 422) and 2025 (HB 3542) stalled in committee, and ORS 814.240 has not been amended since 1983.
What is the fine for lane splitting in Oregon?
A Class B traffic violation carries a presumptive fine of $265 under ORS 153.019, plus any ORS 1.188 surcharge, with a minimum of $135 and a maximum of $1,000. In a highway work zone the presumptive fine is $525.
Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Oregon?
Passing on the right is allowed only in the situations ORS 811.415(2) lists, and never by driving off the paved portion of the highway (811.415(1)(b)). ORS 801.480 defines the shoulder as primarily for pedestrians, stopped vehicles and emergency use, and 801.450 excludes it from the roadway.
Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Oregon?
Yes, two may share a lane. ORS 814.250 makes it a Class B traffic violation to ride abreast of more than one other motorcycle or moped in the same lane.
Is a lane splitting ticket a crime in Oregon?
No. It is a Class B traffic violation, and ORS 153.008(2) says conviction of a violation does not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a crime. Reckless driving under ORS 811.140 is a separate charge and is a Class A misdemeanor.
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.
Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 814: Pedestrians; Passengers; Livestock; Motorized Wheelchairs; Vehicles With Fewer Than Four Wheels
§ 814.240Motorcycle or moped unlawful passing; penaltyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(1) A motorcycle operator or moped operator commits the offense of motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle if the operator does any of the following: (a) Overtakes and passes in the same lane occupied by the vehicle the operator is overtaking, unless the vehicle being passed is a motorcycle or a moped. (b) Operates a moped or motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (2) This section does not apply to a police officer in the performance of official duties. (3) The offense described in this section, motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §689] 814.250 Moped or motorcycle operating more than two abreast; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of operating a moped or motorcycle more than two abreast if the person is operating a moped or motorcycle on a roadway laned for traffic and the person is riding abreast of more than one other motorcycle or moped in the same lane for traffic. (2) For purposes of this section, a motorcycle does not include an autocycle.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at oregonlegislature.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2023
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Redding (Court of Appeals of Oregon 2023, 325 Or. App. 115)“…ency with other aspects of the Vehicle Code. For exam- ple, ORS 814.240 creates the offense of “motorcycle or m…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Motorcycle Accident Laws in Oregon (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- ORS 814.240, motorcycle or moped unlawful passing; penalty(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 153.019, presumptive fines for violations(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 153.018, maximum fines for violations(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 814.250, operating a moped or motorcycle more than two abreast(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 811.370, failure to drive within a lane(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 811.415, unsafe passing on the right(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 801.450 and 801.480, definitions of roadway and shoulder(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 153.020, 153.021, 153.008, 153.061 and 153.111, violation fines, pleas and abstracts of conviction(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 811.100, 811.135, 811.140 and 811.230, basic speed rule, careless driving, reckless driving and highway work zones(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 161.615 and 161.635, misdemeanor sentences and fines(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- Oregon Legislature, SB 422 (2023 Regular Session) measure overview(olis.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- Oregon Legislature, HB 3542 (2025 Regular Session) measure overview(olis.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 809.411 and 809.428, suspension for conviction of crime and Schedule I periods(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 811.375, unlawful or unsignaled change of lane(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- ORS 1.188, surcharge on fines for courthouse(www.oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- Oregon Legislature, SB 574 (2021 Regular Session) measure overview(olis.oregonlegislature.gov).gov