Is Lane Splitting Legal in Texas?

Motorcycle riders in Texas are expected to obey all of the state’s traffic laws. Though many states have begun to legalize lane splitting, it remains against the law in Texas. If a motorcycle accident involves illegal lane splitting, questions of legal responsibility can be complicated. You may need assistance from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in San Antonio.

What Does Lane Splitting Mean?

Lane splitting refers to a motorcyclist riding on the painted line between two lanes of same-direction traffic. Typically, it is done to travel between slowed or stopped vehicles, so the motorcycle rider does not have to wait in traffic. It can also be used as a safety technique to help a rider avoid being rear-ended by other vehicles. However, when not done safely or lawfully, lane splitting can cause accidents. 

Can Motorcyclists Lane Split in Texas?

No. Lane splitting is against the law in Texas as of 2025. While California has legalized lane splitting and several other states now allow lane filtering, Texas continues to prohibit this practice. 

Texas Transportation Code § 545.060 requires all motor vehicle operators on roadways divided into two or more marked lanes for traffic to remain entirely within a single lane. A motorist may not move from that lane unless it can be done safely.

Section 545.0605(3)(b) specifically prohibits the operator of a motorcycle from driving between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. It also does not allow a motorcyclist to pass a vehicle that is in the same lane. There is only an exception for police officers.

Who Is Responsible for a Lane Splitting Accident in Texas?

Since lane splitting is not legal in Texas, a motorcycle accident involving a rider who was traveling on the line between two lanes at the time of the collision will typically be considered at least partially at fault. However, there are exceptions if the maneuver was reasonably required to prevent an accident, such as a motorcyclist who lane split to avoid being in a car’s blind spot. 

Texas’s Comparative Negligence Law

Texas has a comparative negligence law that permits a plaintiff to recover compensation even after being assigned partial fault for an accident. In a lane splitting accident case, a motorcyclist can still receive part of a settlement or jury verdict despite being allocated some of the blame for breaking Texas’s lane splitting law.

However, someone else must be found at least 50 percent responsible for the crash for the motorcyclist to be eligible for compensation. If a motor vehicle driver made an unsafe maneuver that caused or contributed to the lane splitting accident, the driver can be held financially responsible (liable) for his or her portion of the blame.

When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Texas

The Texas Transportation Code does not permit lane splitting by motorcyclists at this time. A motorcyclist who breaks this rule can face consequences such as a ticket and a fine of $175. If the maneuver causes or contributes to an automobile accident, the motorcyclist can be held liable for a victim’s related medical bills and property repairs. However, a driver can also be liable for his or her percentage of fault.

If you get involved in a car accident that deals with motorcycle lane splitting, an attorney can help you navigate difficult issues of liability and fault. A car accident lawyer in San Antonio can protect your legal rights as either a driver or motorcyclist, go up against an insurance company or the court on your behalf, and seek fair financial compensation for your injuries and losses. 

Contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys to speak directly to a personal injury lawyer about your lane splitting case during your free consultation.