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

Lane splitting is illegal in Utah, but lane filtering is allowed under strict conditions. Utah Code 41-6a-704.1 says "An individual may not engage in lane splitting," which the Traffic Code defines as riding a motorcycle between clearly marked lanes "while traffic is in motion." Lane filtering, passing a vehicle that is stopped in the same lane, is lawful under Utah Code 41-6a-704(6) only when all seven listed conditions exist, including a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less (or an off-ramp) and a motorcycle speed of 15 miles per hour or less. Splitting, and filtering outside those conditions, are infractions; a lane-splitting conviction also brings a 90-day suspension of the rider's motorcycle endorsement, and the filtering provisions are scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2027 (Utah Code 63I-1-241). For how other states compare, 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 Utah state law in the Utah Code: the Traffic Code definitions in 41-6a-102, lane filtering in 41-6a-704, the lane-splitting ban in 41-6a-704.1, passing on the right in 41-6a-705, the single-lane rule in 41-6a-710, the motorcycle rules in 41-6a-1502, speed, careless and reckless driving in 41-6a-601, 41-6a-1715 and 41-6a-528, the filtering sunset in 63I-1-241, the fine and jail limits in 76-3-301 and 76-3-204, the Driver License Division point rule (Utah Admin. Code R708-3), the license-law conviction definition and suspension list in 53-3-102 and 53-3-220, and the courts' Uniform Fine Schedule. It does not cover city or county ordinances, court costs or surcharges, insurance consequences, or the law of other states.

Lane splitting and lane filtering are defined separately

Utah draws the line in its definitions. Utah Code 41-6a-102, which applies "As used in this chapter" to the whole Traffic Code, provides:

"'Lane filtering' means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. (b) 'Lane filtering' does not include lane splitting. ... 'Lane splitting' means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of riding a motorcycle between clearly marked lanes for traffic traveling in the same direction of travel while traffic is in motion. (b) 'Lane splitting' does not include lane filtering."

The difference turns on whether traffic is moving. Riding between lanes of moving traffic is lane splitting and is banned. Moving past a vehicle that is stopped in the same lane is lane filtering, which is allowed only under the conditions below. Neither term covers an autocycle.

When lane filtering is legal in Utah

The conditions are in Utah Code 41-6a-704(6), and all of them must exist at the same time:

"(6) An individual may engage in lane filtering only when the following conditions exist: (a) the individual is operating a motorcycle; (b) the individual is: (i) on a roadway that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel; or (ii) on an off-ramp that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel; (c) the individual is: (i) on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; or (ii) on an off-ramp; (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp; (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped; (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and (g) the movement may be made safely."

Under 704(7), "A violation of Subsection (2), (3), or (6) is an infraction." The current text of section 704 took effect May 1, 2024, as amended by Chapter 456 of the 2024 General Session.

Two other sections make room for filtering. The single-lane rule in 41-6a-710 exempts "an individual operating a motorcycle engaging in lane filtering as described in Section 41-6a-704," and the between-lanes ban in 41-6a-1502(3) has the same carve-out in subsection (3)(b).

The lane-splitting ban and its license penalty

Splitting moving traffic has its own section. Utah Code 41-6a-704.1, enacted by Chapter 220 of the 2025 General Session, reads:

"(1) An individual may not engage in lane splitting. (2) A violation of Subsection (1) is an infraction. (3) If an individual is convicted of a violation of Subsection (1), the Driver License Division shall: (a) suspend the individual's motorcycle endorsement for a period of 90 days; or (b) if the individual does not have a valid motorcycle endorsement, suspend the individual's driver license for a period of 90 days. (4) If an individual with a motorcycle endorsement is convicted of a second violation of Subsection (1), the Driver License Division shall suspend the individual's motorcycle endorsement for a period of 180 days. (5) If an individual with a motorcycle endorsement is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of Subsection (1), the Driver License Division shall revoke the individual's motorcycle endorsement. (6) The court shall forward the report of a conviction for a violation of Subsection (1) to the Driver License Division in accordance with Section 53-3-218. (7) A law enforcement officer may impound a vehicle of a person who violates Subsection (1)."

The suspensions are mandatory ("shall") once there is a conviction under 704.1(1). A rider with no valid motorcycle endorsement loses the driver license itself for 90 days. The impound power in subsection (7) is discretionary ("may").

The Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee, in its May 20, 2026 sunset review, attributes section 704.1 to H.B. 190 of 2025.

The general motorcycle rules in 41-6a-1502

Utah Code 41-6a-1502 carries the older between-lanes ban that many states share:

"(1) (a) A motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane. (b) An individual may not operate a motor vehicle in a manner that deprives a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. (c) This Subsection (1) does not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane. (2) The operator of a motorcycle may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (3) (a) Except as described in Subsection (3)(b), an individual may not operate a motorcycle between: (i) lanes of traffic; or (ii) adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (b) Subsection (3)(a) does not apply to an individual operating a motorcycle engaging in lane filtering as described in Section 41-6a-704. (4) Motorcycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. (5) Subsections (2) and (3)(a) do not apply to peace officers acting in the peace officers' official capacities. ... (7) A violation of this section is an infraction."

Subsection (3)(b) carves lane filtering out of the between-lanes ban. Subsection (2), the same-lane passing rule, carries no such carve-out in its text. Peace officers acting in their official capacities are exempt from (2) and (3)(a) under subsection (5). The current text reflects H.B. 381 of 2026, effective May 6, 2026, which deleted the words "or motor-driven cycle" throughout section 1502.

The single-lane rule

Utah Code 41-6a-710(1) applies to every vehicle on a roadway with clearly marked lanes, "and any violation of this section is an infraction":

"(1)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), a person operating a vehicle: (i) shall keep the vehicle as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane; and (ii) may not move the vehicle from the lane until the operator has reasonably determined the movement can be made safely. (b) A determination under Subsection (1)(a)(ii) is reasonable if a reasonable person acting under the same conditions and having regard for actual and potential hazards then existing would determine that the movement could be made safely."

Subsection (1)(c)(i) exempts a motorcycle engaged in lane filtering as described in 41-6a-704.

Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Utah?

Not to pass other vehicles. The definitions in 41-6a-102 set up the answer:

"'Roadway' means that portion of highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. 'Roadway' does not include the sidewalk, berm, or shoulder, even though any of them are used by persons riding bicycles or other human-powered vehicles."

The same section defines the "shoulder area" as "(a) that area of the hard-surfaced highway separated from the roadway by a pavement edge line as established in the current approved 'Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices'; or (b) that portion of the road contiguous to the roadway for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support."

The passing-on-the-right rule, Utah Code 41-6a-705, then provides:

"(1) Subject to Section 41-6a-718, the operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only: (a) when the vehicle overtaken is making or preparing to make a left turn; or (b) on 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. (2) The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting the movement with safety. (3) Except for a person operating a bicycle, the operator of a vehicle may not overtake and pass another vehicle if the movement is made by driving off the roadway. (4) A violation of this section is an infraction."

Because the roadway does not include the shoulder, subsection (3) bars a motorcyclist from passing a vehicle by riding on the shoulder.

The July 1, 2027 sunset

Utah's filtering law has an expiry date. Utah Code 63I-1-241, the Title 41 repeal-date list, provides:

"(2) Subsection 41-6a-102(39), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027. (3) Subsection 41-6a-704(6), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027. (4) Subsection 41-6a-710(1)(c), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027."

The repeal list covers the filtering definition, the filtering conditions in 704(6) and the filtering exemption from the single-lane rule. It does not list section 704.1 (the lane-splitting ban) or the between-lanes ban in 1502(3)(a), whose filtering exception in (3)(b) points to lane filtering "as described in Section 41-6a-704." If the repeal takes effect, the conditions that make filtering lawful under 704(6) will no longer be in the code. H.B. 381 of 2026 changed only a cross-reference in this list; the July 1, 2027 date stayed the same.

The Legislature can extend or end the program before then. According to the Transportation Interim Committee's May 20, 2026 sunset review, which lists the "Current Sunset Date July 1, 2027 (Utah Code Section 63I-1-241)," filtering was enacted by H.B. 149 in 2019, extended to July 1, 2027 by H.B. 10 in 2022, and changed by H.B. 311 in 2024 to address off-ramps. The 2027 General Session convenes in January 2027, before the repeal date. Riders should check the code in force on the day they ride.

What happens if you are cited

Every lane rule on this page is an infraction: lane splitting (704.1(2)), unlawful filtering (704(7)), riding between lanes or rows of vehicles and the other motorcycle rules (1502(7)), improper passing on the right (705(4)) and the single-lane rule (710). Under Utah Code 76-3-301(1)(e), a person convicted of an infraction may be sentenced to pay a fine "not exceeding ... $750 for a class C misdemeanor conviction or infraction conviction," unless a statute specifically authorizes more.

The amount on a typical citation is lower than that cap and comes from the Utah courts' Uniform Fine Schedule, which sets suggested fines for traffic infractions. The suggested amounts are guidance rather than statutory limits, change with each year's schedule, and are subject to the court's authority, so check the current schedule or the court named on the citation for the amount and any surcharge.

Points and the Driver License Division

Utah's point system is set by rule. Under Utah Admin. Code R708-3-4(1), "The division shall determine the number of points to be assigned to each moving traffic violation as a measure of the violation's seriousness," and under R708-3-4(4) the division must post the list of point values on its website and at each division office. Under R708-3-5(2), "The assigned points for any moving traffic violation will be dropped three years after the violation occurred." The point values for the specific lane offenses are in the division's posted list. Under R708-3-4(2)(d), the division assesses zero points for violations that require a mandatory sanction by law or rule, and 41-6a-704.1(3) makes the lane-splitting suspension mandatory, so a lane-splitting conviction is handled through that suspension rather than through points. For drivers 21 and older, R708-3-6(2) sends a warning letter at 150 to 199 points, requires a hearing at 200 points, allows probation or a 3-month suspension from 200 to 299 points, and suspends the license for 3 months at 300 to 399 points, 6 months at 400 to 599 points and 1 year at 600 or more. Drivers age 20 and younger have lower thresholds under R708-3-8.

For lane splitting, section 704.1(6) requires the court to forward the report of a conviction to the Driver License Division "in accordance with Section 53-3-218." Paying the fine counts. For driver license purposes, Utah Code 53-3-102(8) defines a conviction to include "an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a person's appearance in court" and "the payment of a fine or court costs," and 53-3-220(1)(a)(xx) lists "engaging in lane splitting under Section 41-6a-704.1" among the convictions on which the division shall "deny, suspend, or disqualify the license or endorsement".

Other charges a lane-splitting stop can involve

Each of these is a separate charge with its own elements, and whether a particular ride meets them depends on the facts.

• Speed for conditions, 41-6a-601. "A person may not operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing," including when "the speed causes the person to fail to maintain control of the vehicle or stay within a single lane of travel" (601(1)(f)). A violation is an infraction (601(4)(a)). At 100 mph or more, the fine is not less than 150% of the suggested fine (601(4)(b)).
• Careless driving, 41-6a-1715. A person is guilty of careless driving who "commits two or more moving traffic violations under this chapter in a series of acts within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance," or who commits a moving violation (other than a speed violation) while distracted by an activity in the vehicle unrelated to driving. H.B. 24 of 2026, effective May 6, 2026, changed the offense from a class C misdemeanor to an infraction.
• Reckless driving, 41-6a-528. "A person is guilty of reckless driving who operates a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." Under 528(2), that disregard includes "traveling on a highway at a speed of 105 miles per hour or greater" or "committing three or more traffic violations under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, in a series of acts occurring within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance." It is a class B misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail under 76-3-204(2) and a fine up to $1,000 under 76-3-301(1)(d).

Parts 5 and 17 of the Traffic Code, which contain the reckless and careless driving sections, contain no separate aggressive-driving or road-rage section.

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

A lane-splitting or filtering charge can matter after a collision, but fault and injury claims follow their own rules. Those are covered in our guide to Utah motorcycle accident laws. For crash duties that apply to every driver, see Utah car accident laws.

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-09.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lane splitting legal in Utah?

No. Utah Code 41-6a-704.1(1) says an individual may not engage in lane splitting, defined as riding between clearly marked lanes while traffic is in motion. It is an infraction, and a conviction brings a 90-day motorcycle endorsement suspension.

Is lane filtering legal in Utah?

Yes, under strict conditions. Utah Code 41-6a-704(6) allows a motorcycle to pass a vehicle stopped in the same lane on a road with two or more same-direction lanes and a speed limit of 45 mph or less (or an off-ramp), not on an on-ramp, at 15 mph or less, when it can be done safely.

When does Utah lane filtering expire?

Utah Code 63I-1-241 schedules the filtering provisions in 41-6a-102(39), 41-6a-704(6) and 41-6a-710(1)(c) for repeal on July 1, 2027, unless the Legislature extends them.

What is the penalty for lane splitting in Utah?

Lane splitting is an infraction under 41-6a-704.1(2), with a fine of up to $750 under 76-3-301(1)(e). A conviction also requires a 90-day motorcycle endorsement suspension, 180 days for a second conviction and revocation for a third, and an officer may impound the motorcycle. Paying the fine counts as a conviction for driver license purposes (53-3-102(8)).

Can motorcycles ride on the shoulder in Utah?

Not to pass. Utah Code 41-6a-705(3) bars passing another vehicle by driving off the roadway, except on a bicycle, and 41-6a-102 defines the roadway to exclude the shoulder.

Can two motorcycles ride side by side in Utah?

Yes, up to two. Utah Code 41-6a-1502(4) says motorcycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.