Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? What the Vehicle Code Says

Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Michigan's traffic rules can be amended; check the current Vehicle Code and the status of pending bills before you ride.

Sitting in summer traffic on I-94 or I-75, it is tempting to ease your bike up between the stopped cars. Before you do, it helps to know exactly what Michigan law says, because some articles online still claim it is allowed.

Short answer: Is lane splitting legal in Michigan? No. The Michigan Vehicle Code says a motorcycle operator may not pass between lines of traffic, and it makes no exception for stopped or slow-moving traffic. A 2025 bill to allow lane filtering (Senate Bill 365) has not become law.

What the rule covers

The key phrase is "between lines of traffic." It covers:

• Lane splitting: riding between two lanes of moving traffic.
• Lane filtering: moving up between stopped cars, for example at a red light.
• Riding the stripe on a multi-lane highway during a jam.

When you pass, Michigan requires you to do it the way a car would: in an unoccupied lane. Some states draw a line between moving and stopped traffic. Michigan's rule does not.

Is Michigan about to legalize filtering?

Not yet. Senate Bill 365, introduced on June 5, 2025 by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, would amend the Vehicle Code to allow "filtering between lanes by a motorcycle" under certain conditions. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in June 2025. As of October 2026, bill trackers showed no committee vote and no passage in either chamber.

Until a bill passes both chambers, is signed and takes effect, the current ban applies. If you see a news story saying Michigan has legalized filtering, check the bill's status on the Michigan Legislature's site before changing how you ride.

What happens if you split lanes anyway

• A ticket. Passing between lines of traffic is a moving violation under the Vehicle Code.
• Fault after a crash. If you are hit while splitting, the other side can argue you were riding illegally. That can affect a claim for injuries or damage.
• Insurance questions. Your insurer may look at how the crash happened when deciding fault-related issues.

If you have already been in a crash, it is worth getting advice. Our guide to finding a motorcycle injury lawyer explains what to look for.

Riding Michigan traffic legally

• Stay in your lane and use the full lane position that gives you the best view and space.
• Pass only in an open lane, as you would in a car.
• Leave an escape route when stopped in traffic, such as stopping slightly off-centre with space ahead.
• Use your mirrors for vehicles approaching too fast from behind.

How Michigan compares

California is the only state that defines and allows full lane splitting. Utah, Montana, Arizona, Colorado and Minnesota allow filtering under speed limits, and several of those laws have sunset dates. For the details, see what states lane splitting is legal in. Nearby and similar states are covered in our guides to lane splitting in Illinois, Washington and Florida. Other Michigan road rules are covered in our post on whether radar detectors are legal in Michigan, and if you are building a trail bike for the road, see how to make a dirt bike street legal.

Sources

• MCL 257.660, Michigan Vehicle Code (Michigan Legislature)
• Michigan Senate Bill 365 of 2025 (Michigan Legislature)
• SB 365 (2025) summary and history (MichiganVotes)