Is it Legal to Split Lanes in Montana?

Yes, it is Legal to Split Lanes in Montana.

Lane splitting is legal in Montana as of October 1st, 2021. Montana became the third US state to legalize the practice under certain restrictions. Montana Code Annotated 61-8-392 (Lane filtering for motorcycles) outlines the following provisions:

• Road Conditions: Lanes must be wide enough for safe passage of the motorcycle.
• Speed Limit: Motorcyclists cannot exceed 20 mph while lane splitting.
• Traffic Flow: Motorcycles may only overtake cars that are stopped or moving at 10 mph or less.
• Prudence: General weather and road conditions must allow for the safe operation of the motorcycle.

The official term in Montana is “lane filtering,” which specifically involves passing slow or stopped vehicles. This is outlined in Montana Code Annotated 2023, Title 61, Chapter 8, Part 3, Section 92. Traditional lane splitting (riding between moving vehicles) is not explicitly covered by the law.

While lane splitting has been legalized in Montana, research into its safety impact is ongoing. A study by the University of California, Berkeley suggested lane splitting done carefully might reduce rear-end crashes for motorcyclists. However, drivers not accustomed to the practice may be surprised by a lane-splitting motorcycle.

Note: The information provided is sourced from various websites and collected data; if discrepancies are identified, kindly reach out to us through comments for prompt correction.