Is Lane Splitting or Filtering Legal in Missouri?

One question that often arises when motorcyclists ride in a new state is: Are lane splitting and filtering legal? The answer isn’t quite as cut-and-dry as you may hope, and it’s important for motorcyclists to understand what the law does (and does not) permit before they start riding.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Missouri, you could face an uphill battle when it comes to securing compensation. There’s still a lot of bias against motorcyclists, and you need an attorney who can push back against it. Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation today.

Definitions and terminology

In these discussions, you’ll likely hear the terms lane splitting, lane filtering, and lane sharing. While there are some similarities among these terms, they are distinct, and confusing them could lead to riding errors that result in citations or accidents.

Lane splitting occurs when a rider rides between two lanes of traffic that are moving in the same direction. This typically occurs when traffic is moving slowly, lanes are congested, and riders are attempting to navigate through traffic more quickly.

Lane filtering is similar to lane splitting in that it involves riders moving between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. However, it’s considered lane filtering when the traffic is completely stopped at an intersection or traffic light. This maneuver allows riders to avoid getting caught in traffic; it also reduces their risk of being rear-ended by a careless driver.

Lane sharing involves two or more riders who ride side-by-side or staggered in one lane.

Current Missouri law

Missouri law does not expressly authorize lane splitting or filtering, and riders are commonly cited under existing lane-usage or careless-driving statutes. State law generally requires that vehicles stay within a single lane and may leave it only when it is safe to do so. As a result, riding between lanes is typically treated as improper lane usage or careless driving, meaning lane splitting and lane filtering are not recognized as legal practices. Even when a citation is not issued specifically for lane splitting or filtering, a rider may still be cited for unsafe operation.

Legislative proposals and updates

Although Missouri law doesn’t currently address lane splitting and filtering, there are legislators who want to change that. In 2023, HB 1046 was introduced. The bill distinguishes between filtering and splitting, allowing filtering under specific conditions.

A newer introduced bill, HB 705, would have allowed limited lane filtering between stopped or slow-moving vehicles, while still expressly prohibiting lane splitting between fast-moving vehicles. As of the 2025 legislative session, HB 705 did not pass and did not become law. It’s not uncommon for lane filtering and splitting laws to be proposed multiple times, only to die before becoming law (not just in Missouri, but across the country).

How lane splitting and filtering can affect accident claims in Missouri

Missouri does not have a specific statute addressing lane splitting or filtering, so law enforcement and courts apply broader lane usage and unsafe operation rules. These actions can still have an impact on your motorcycle accident claim in Missouri.

Missouri is a comparative fault state. This means that even if a victim is partially responsible for a collision, they can still recover compensation – their share is simply reduced by the amount of liability attributed to them. Comparative negligence could significantly affect how much compensation you receive after a collision. If the other party’s insurance company argues that your lane splitting or filtering was, for example, 30% responsible for the crash, that would cut your compensation quite a bit. If you had $100,000 in damages, you’d be left with $70,000 due to your share of liability.

If you were lane splitting or lane filtering at the time of the accident, the other party’s insurance may argue that you were operating unsafely and are therefore partially responsible for the crash. Because there’s no specific law allowing lane splitting or filtering, it’s often viewed unfavorably, if not outright illegal. This bias can shift fault assessments against you after an accident. Bias is an ever-present factor in motorcycle accidents, which is why working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is important.

Risk mitigation for riders who filter or split

If riders choose to lane filter or split, it’s important that they understand the risk they are taking on Missouri roads. You may want to avoid lane splitting in moving traffic, as current laws make it too risky and could leave you on the hook for accident damages. Consider using a helmet camera to record incidents to dispute drivers’ claims of unsafe operation. The goal is to protect your best interests after an accident and prove the other party’s negligence.

Involved in a motorcycle crash? Let’s talk.

If you have been injured in a Missouri motorcycle accident, it’s important to act quickly and protect your rights. The team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys is here to help. Contact us today to get started.