Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Is lane splitting legal in Louisiana?

It freaks me out when motorcyclists drive between cars, but I’ve noticed it happening more and more. It seems unsafe and should be illegal, but I don’t know if it actually is against the law. Is lane splitting illegal or legal in Louisiana?

avatar
Matt Nightingale · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Lane-splitting is not legal in
Louisiana
.
According to Section 191.1B of the Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act, “(t)he operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.” If a patrol officer catches you lane splitting, you could be charged with reckless driving, which carries a fine of $200 and the possibility of 90 days in jail.
Lane splitting is a topic of much debate around the country. Some say that it allows traffic to flow better and eases congestion. In California, lane-splitting is legal. Also, Hawaii now allows motorcycles to operate on the shoulder of a road, and Utah allows lane filtering, which is when two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles move in between stopped vehicles to the front of the queue at a red light.
Other states considering legalizing lane splitting include:
  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Oregon
  • Washington
  • Virginia
Many states are ambiguous when it comes to lane splitting, neither explicitly banning it nor explicitly legalizing it. That can cause confusion as to who is at fault in a lane-splitting-related crash.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings