are motorcycles allowed to drive between cars

[EvanLee]

The legality of motorcycles driving between cars, a practice known as lane splitting or lane filtering, depends entirely on state law in the US. Currently, California is the only state with explicit laws allowing lane splitting. A few others, like Utah and Montana, have legalized a specific form called lane filtering, which permits motorcycles to move between stopped cars at low speeds at intersections. In the vast majority of states, the practice is either illegal or exists in a legal gray area because it's not specifically addressed.

The primary argument for lane filtering is safety. When motorcycles are stuck in stationary or slow-moving traffic, they are vulnerable to being rear-ended by inattentive drivers. Allowing them to filter to the front can reduce this risk. From an efficiency standpoint, it also helps reduce overall traffic congestion.

However, the practice is controversial due to safety concerns for the motorcyclist and other drivers. Sudden lane changes by car drivers or opening car doors can lead to serious accidents if the motorcycle is filtering unsafely. The key, even where it is legal, is to do so responsibly. This means only filtering at low speed differentials (e.g., when traffic is nearly stopped) and at moderate speeds.

If you are a rider, it is absolutely critical to know the specific laws in your state and any state you are traveling through. Never assume it's permitted. The table below summarizes the status in key states.

State	Legal Status	Key Conditions / Notes
California	Legal	No specific speed limits in law, but guidelines suggest not exceeding 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic.
Utah	Legal (Filtering)	Permitted only on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less; motorcycles can filter between lanes when vehicles are stopped.
Montana	Legal (Filtering)	Allowed on roads with two+ lanes in the same direction; traffic must be stopped; max speed of 20 mph for filtering.
Arizona	Legal (Filtering)	Recently legalized; similar conditions to Utah and Montana apply.
Texas	Illegal	Explicitly prohibited by state law.
New York	Illegal	Not permitted; considered reckless driving.
Florida	Illegal	Lane splitting is not authorized by law.
Most Other States	Illegal / Unspecified	Generally considered illegal under improper lane change or reckless driving statutes.

[SanCarlos]

As a daily rider, I only do it in California where it's clearly legal. Even then, you have to be hyper-aware. It's not about speeding past everyone; it's about cautiously moving up when traffic is bumper-to-bumper. You're watching for cars suddenly switching lanes, people jumping out, or a door opening. It can feel safer than being stuck where someone might rear-end you, but the responsibility is 100% on the rider to do it smartly and predictably.

[MacHenry]

From a safety engineering perspective, the data is mixed. Proponents cite studies showing a reduced risk of rear-end collisions for motorcyclists in slow or stopped traffic. The main danger occurs when there is a high speed difference between the filtering motorcycle and surrounding vehicles. If legalized, it must be accompanied by public awareness campaigns for car drivers and strict guidelines for riders on acceptable speed differentials to minimize the risk of sideswipe accidents.

[DelDavid]

Legally, it's a patchwork. Most states' traffic laws were written without considering motorcycles between lanes. So, even if not explicitly banned, an officer can ticket you for an improper lane change or reckless driving. The trend is slowly shifting, with states like Utah and Arizona recently passing "lane filtering" laws for stopped traffic. This is a pragmatic compromise that addresses safety concerns while acknowledging the traffic-reduction benefits.