Lane splitting and filtering in Ohio
Not authorized
Ohio has no law that allows lane splitting or filtering, and none that bans it by name. Riders can be cited under the general rule that every vehicle stays within a single lane. A bill to allow filtering, HB 776, has had three committee hearings in 2026 and has not passed.
“A vehicle or trackless trolley shall be driven, as nearly as is practicable, entirely within a single lane or line of traffic and shall not be moved from such lane or line until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.”
Where Ohio stands
No section of the Ohio Revised Code mentions lane splitting or lane filtering, either to allow it or to ban it by name. Ohio’s general lane rule requires every vehicle to stay as nearly as practicable within a single lane and to leave it only when that is safe, so a rider who splits or filters can be cited under that rule. In practice, treat it as not legal in Ohio.
The sections that apply
- R.C. 4511.33, Driving in marked lanes. Every vehicle must be driven “as nearly as is practicable, entirely within a single lane or line of traffic” and moved out of it only when safe. This is the rule most likely to be used against a rider who splits or filters. A violation is a minor misdemeanor.
- R.C. 4511.55, Operating bicycles, electric bicycles, and motorcycles on roadway. Motorcycles may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane. Some websites say this section bans lane splitting. It doesn’t mention riding between lanes.
- R.C. 4511.25, Lanes of travel upon roadways of sufficient width. The keep-right rule for slower traffic. HB 776 would amend it to fit lawful filtering.
- R.C. 4511.53, Operation of bicycles, motorcycles and snowmobiles. The main motorcycle-operation section, covering seating, passengers, handlebars, eye protection and helmets for some riders. It says nothing about lane position.
What the state tells riders
Motorcycle Laws and Regulations: A Resource for Motorcyclists (ODPS Motorcycle Ohio, MOP 0051 8/22). The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Motorcycle Ohio summary of motorcycle law repeats that no more than two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane (R.C. 4511.55(B)) and that riders are entitled to full use of the lane. It does not mention lane splitting or filtering, and we found no official Ohio statement on either.
A bill in the General Assembly
HB 776, 136th General Assembly (2025-2026): Regards motorcycle lane filtering and lane splitting. Primary sponsor: Rep. Brian Lorenz.
Introduced March 24, 2026 and referred to the House Transportation Committee, which held hearings on May 19, June 2 and June 9, 2026. It has not passed the House. As introduced, it would allow filtering between two same-direction lanes when traffic is stopped or moving at 15 mph or less, on roads with two or more lanes each way and a posted limit of 45 mph or less, with the rider no more than 10 mph faster than traffic. It would bar filtering along the curb or shoulder, make it an offense to block a rider who is filtering lawfully, ban lane splitting above 15 mph, and require a public education campaign. If you ride in Ohio, ask your state representative and senator where they stand on it.
Bill status as shown on legislature.ohio.gov, checked 2026-10-26. A bill in committee is not law. Check the bill page for its current status.
Ask your legislators
Ohio law doesn’t allow lane filtering yet. Your state legislators can change that. Find yours on the Ohio General Assembly legislator lookup or at mystatereps.com.