Motorcycle filtering abroad: where the rules change

Filtering permitted; code is guidance

The Dutch government permits passing between queued cars. Motorplatform recommends a speed difference of no more than 10 km/h; its voluntary code is guidance, not a statutory allowance.

Jurisdiction

Netherlands

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles without a sidecar; Motorplatform speed and conduct recommendations are guidance.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Motorplatform conduct guidance recommends a speed difference no greater than 10 km/h; it does not confer statutory rights.

Not covered by this finding

• The code advises against using the hard shoulder, left recovery strip, special-purpose lanes, striped exclusion areas and gore areas.

Two speed conditions

When filtering between stopped or slow rows of traffic, travel at no more than 50 km/h and no more than 20 km/h faster than the vehicles in those rows, including stopped traffic. On motorways and designated motor roads (autowegen/routes pour automobiles), filter between the two leftmost lanes.

Jurisdiction

Belgium

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles filtering between stopped or slow-moving rows.

Checked

13 October 2026

Timing and date qualifications: New federal and regional codes are scheduled to enter into force on 1 June 2027; review the rules before the transition.

Conditions and qualifications

• Do not exceed 50 km/h.
• Do not travel more than 20 km/h faster than vehicles in the adjacent rows; this applies to stopped rows too.
• Filtering applies to stopped or slow-moving rows.
• On motorways and designated motor roads, use the gap between the two leftmost lanes.

Not covered by this finding

• Passing vehicles stopped at or approaching pedestrian, cycle or two-wheeled-moped crossings where traffic is not controlled by a police officer or traffic lights.

Keep the motorway emergency corridor clear

Motorcycles may not use an Autobahn emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) to pass queued traffic. Keep the corridor free for police and assistance vehicles. Moving past a slower queue in a lawful adjacent traffic lane is a separate manoeuvre governed by the overtaking and lane rules.

Jurisdiction

Germany

Who and what this covers

Ordinary motorcycles in motorway queues; lawful passing in an adjacent traffic lane remains a separate question.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Remain in a normal traffic lane and keep the emergency corridor clear.
• Ordinary overtaking must comply with sections 5 and 7, including lateral clearance, signs and safe lane changes.

Not covered by this finding

• Using the emergency corridor to pass a motorway queue
• Treating the bicycle/Mofa exception in section 5(8) as an ordinary-motorcycle exception

Conditional lane-filtering permission

L3e motorcycles and L5e motor tricycles at most 1 m wide may filter on qualifying motorways or divided roads with at least two lanes in each direction. Dense traffic must form uninterrupted queues across every lane. Use the gap between the two leftmost rows at no more than 50 km/h, or 30 km/h if either row is stopped. Signal before entering and rejoining; rejoin when either adjacent row moves faster than you.

Jurisdiction

France

Who and what this covers

L3e motorcycles and L5e motor tricycles, at most 1 metre wide; qualifying motorway or divided-road carriageways.

Checked

13 October 2026

Effective from

11 January 2025

Conditions and qualifications

• The vehicle must be at most 1 metre wide.
• The vehicle must be registered in category L3e or L5e.
• The general lane-filtering speed limit is 50 km/h.
• If either adjacent row is stopped, the speed limit becomes 30 km/h.
• Dense traffic must form uninterrupted queues on all lanes, including any reserved lanes.
• Use a qualifying motorway or divided road with at least two lanes in each direction and the road-category speed scope of at least 70 km/h; a lower local posted limit can still qualify.
• Travel between the two leftmost rows moving in the same direction.
• Sufficient space must be available; do not force a gap.
• Signal your intention before entering and before rejoining a normal lane.
• Rejoin normal traffic when either adjacent row moves faster than you.

Not covered by this finding

• Roadworks, snow or ice on any lane of the carriageway
• Forcing a gap
• Overtaking another filtering rider

Low-speed filtering in both Highway Codes

Great Britain and Northern Ireland each address filtering in rule 88 of their Highway Code. Keep your speed low in slow-moving traffic and watch for pedestrians, junctions and lane changes. Other road rules still apply.

Jurisdiction

Great Britain and Northern Ireland; separate Highway Codes

Who and what this covers

Motorcyclists following the Highway Code for the relevant UK jurisdiction.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Filter carefully at low speed in slow-moving traffic.
• Watch for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging, turning or changing lanes.
• Position yourself so drivers can see you in their mirrors.
• Follow the other overtaking, lane, crossing and speed rules.

Stopped queues only

Single-track motorcycles may advance beside or between vehicles stopped at junctions, narrow sections or railway crossings to take a position ahead, with sufficient space and without obstructing vehicles signalling a turn.

Jurisdiction

Austria

Who and what this covers

Single-track vehicles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Traffic must be stopped.
• Enough space; do not obstruct signalled turns.

Stay in a stopped queue

Swiss law requires motorcycle riders to retain their position in the vehicle queue when traffic is stopped. Passing a moving queue in a separate lawful lane follows different rules.

Jurisdiction

Switzerland

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Traffic is stopped.
• Retain your queue position.

Stopped queues: limited right-side exception

Single-track motorcycles may cautiously pass a stopped queue on its right when the carriageway has enough space and they can continue or rejoin safely. This exception excludes queues stopped before junctions. Do not pass a vehicle yielding to pedestrians at a crossing.

Jurisdiction

Slovenia

Who and what this covers

Single-track motorcycles; stopped traffic.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Traffic must be stopped.

Keep the rescue corridor clear

Do not use the rescue corridor to pass a stopped or slow motorway queue. It is reserved for emergency-priority vehicles, road managers and vehicles removing crash consequences or traffic obstructions.

Jurisdiction

Czechia

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Signed shoulder exception

Motorcycles may use authorised, signed right-shoulder sections in stopped congestion. Ride single file, protect existing shoulder users and leave if needed. The exception began on 1 October 2026.

Jurisdiction

Spain; authorised signed sections

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Effective from

1 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum 30 km/h.
• Traffic lanes must be stopped.
• Authorised signed section; single file; protect shoulder users.

Do not enter opposing traffic

Do not pass stopped or slow vehicles at railway crossings, traffic lights or other congestion if it requires entering the opposing side of the road. Safe overtaking and pedestrian-crossing restrictions also apply.

Jurisdiction

Italy

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Keep queue lanes and shoulders

In dense parallel traffic, do not switch to a row farther right except to turn, stop or park. Motorcycles cannot use shoulders or pavements to bypass traffic unless property access or a local rule permits it.

Jurisdiction

Portugal

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Passing in a lane is different

In dense traffic occupying every same-direction lane, a vehicle may pass slower traffic on its right while staying in a separate lane. Never pass a vehicle or tram that obstructs any view of an approaching pedestrian crossing.

Jurisdiction

Norway

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

California

Lane splitting is legal in California for motorcycles with two wheels in contact with the ground, between stopped or moving rows of vehicles. Follow the road’s speed limit and safe-operation rules; shoulder riding is illegal.

Jurisdiction

US-CA · California

Who and what this covers

California; motorcycles with two wheels in contact with the ground.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• The quoted California definition requires a motorcycle with two wheels in contact with the ground.

Not covered by this finding

• Shoulder riding is illegal and is not lane splitting.

Utah

Filtering is limited to stopped traffic, at no more than 15 mph, on roads with a posted limit of no more than 45 mph and at least two lanes in the same direction.

Jurisdiction

US-UT · Utah

Who and what this covers

Utah; safe filtering past stopped vehicles on roads with at least two same-direction lanes and a posted limit of 45 mph or less.

Checked

13 October 2026

Timing and date qualifications: Rejoin a travel lane as soon as possible when vehicles start moving.

Conditions and qualifications

• Vehicles being passed must be stopped.
• Do not exceed 15 mph.
• The road's posted limit must be 45 mph or lower.
• The road must have at least two lanes in the same direction.
• You must be able to make the movement safely.

Not covered by this finding

• Shoulder
• Bicycle lane
• Moving overtaken traffic

Colorado

A two-wheeled motorcycle may pass stopped vehicles within the same lane at no more than 15 mph if adjacent traffic in the same direction is stopped, the lane is wide enough and conditions permit prudent operation. CDOT instructs riders to pass on the left and rejoin a traffic lane when traffic moves.

Jurisdiction

US-CO · Colorado

Who and what this covers

Colorado; two-wheeled motorcycles passing stopped vehicles within the same lane.

Checked

13 October 2026

Effective from

7 August 2024

Timing and date qualifications: The signed act repeals this exception effective 1 September 2027 unless amended; stop passing as vehicles start moving.

Conditions and qualifications

• The vehicle being passed must be stopped.
• Do not exceed 15 mph.
• The statutory exception covers a two-wheeled motorcycle.
• Vehicles in adjacent same-direction lanes must also be stopped.
• The passage is within the same lane as the vehicle being passed.
• The lane width must allow safe passage.
• Conditions must permit prudent operation.

Not covered by this finding

• Right shoulder
• Opposing traffic lane
• Passing to the right of a vehicle in the farthest-right lane on a highway that is not limited access

Idaho

Both lane filtering and lane splitting are prohibited in Idaho. Remain within a traffic lane unless making a lawful lane change.

Jurisdiction

US-ID · Idaho

Who and what this covers

Idaho; filtering between stationary or moving vehicle rows.

Checked

13 October 2026

Arizona: stopped-traffic filtering

A two-wheeled motorcycle may safely pass a stopped vehicle in its lane and move between same-direction lanes.

Jurisdiction

Arizona

Who and what this covers

Two-wheeled motorcycles

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Motorcycle speed: no more than 15 mph.
• Road limit: no more than 45 mph.
• At least 2 adjacent lanes in the same direction; the overtaken vehicle must be stopped.

Montana: slow-traffic filtering

Two-wheeled motorcycles may pass stopped or slow vehicles in the same lane and direction where lane width and conditions permit safe, prudent operation.

Jurisdiction

Montana

Who and what this covers

Two-wheeled motorcycles

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Motorcycle speed: no more than 20 mph.
• The overtaken vehicle must be stopped or travelling at no more than 10 mph.

Minnesota: splitting and filtering

Motorcycles may pass in the same lane and direction within both speed limits. Filtering past stopped traffic therefore has a 15 mph ceiling.

Jurisdiction

Minnesota

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles under section 169.974

Checked

13 October 2026

Effective from

1 July 2025

Conditions and qualifications

• Motorcycle speed: no more than 25 mph.
• No more than 15 mph faster than traffic in the relevant lanes.

Not covered by this finding

• Excluded: roundabout approaches, circulating lanes and exits; school zones; single-lane work zones; queued freeway/expressway on-ramps.

British Columbia: lane splitting is prohibited

ICBC's motorcycle handbook states that riding between traffic lanes is illegal in British Columbia. Shoulder riding is also prohibited unless pulling over to stop.

Jurisdiction

British Columbia

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles; other provinces have separate rules

Checked

13 October 2026

New South Wales

In New South Wales, full (unrestricted) motorcycle riders may filter safely at 30 km/h or less between adjacent same-direction traffic rows. Learner and provisional riders cannot filter. Do not edge filter, filter in school zones, bus-only lanes or where no-filtering signs apply; obey stop lines.

Jurisdiction

AU-NSW · New South Wales

Who and what this covers

New South Wales; full (unrestricted) motorcycle riders who comply with the local road rules and their licence conditions.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Travel at no more than 30 km/h.
• Hold a full (unrestricted) motorcycle rider entitlement; learner and provisional riders cannot filter.
• Filter between adjacent same-direction marked lanes or lines of traffic.
• Filter only when safe and obey stop lines and other road rules.

Not covered by this finding

• Edge filtering, including next to the kerb or parked vehicles
• School zones
• Bus-only lanes
• Signed no-filtering road sections
• Passing a stop line when required to stop

Northern Territory

Northern Territory filtering is permitted at no more than 30 km/h between adjacent same-direction rows when safe. Hold the appropriate full motorcycle entitlement or a qualifying interstate or overseas equivalent. Learner and provisional licences, edge filtering, operating school zones and signed no-filtering sections are excluded.

Jurisdiction

AU-NT · Northern Territory

Who and what this covers

Northern Territory; appropriate full motorcycle licence or an equivalent qualifying interstate or international classification.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Travel at no more than 30 km/h.
• Hold the appropriate motorcycle entitlement or a qualifying interstate or international equivalent; learner and provisional licences are excluded.
• Pass between separate adjacent rows or marked lanes travelling in the same direction.
• The manoeuvre must be safe.

Not covered by this finding

• Edge filtering
• School zones while the signed zone applies
• Signed no-filtering road sections

Queensland: open-licence filtering

Open motorcycle licence holders may safely filter at no more than 30 km/h between slow or stopped traffic travelling in the same direction.

Jurisdiction

Queensland

Who and what this covers

Open motorcycle licence holders

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• Excluded: learners/provisional riders, dedicated turning lanes, bicycle lanes, kerb-side gaps, active school zones and signed no-filtering sections.

Queensland: separate shoulder permission

Open motorcycle licence holders may safely pass slow/stopped traffic on sealed shoulders or emergency lanes of major roads. Give way to cyclists and motorcycles already there.

Jurisdiction

Queensland

Who and what this covers

Open motorcycle licence holders

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum speed: 30 km/h.
• Road normally limited to at least 90 km/h; a temporary reduction by a variable sign does not remove this permission.

Not covered by this finding

• No unsealed sections, roadworks or tunnels.

Victoria: filtering conditions

Safe filtering is permitted at up to 30 km/h between same-direction slow/stopped traffic, including between parked cars and moving traffic. High-speed lane splitting is illegal.

Jurisdiction

Victoria

Who and what this covers

Licensed motorcycle/scooter riders; learners excluded

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• No bicycle lanes, shared paths, shoulders, kerb-side gaps, opposing traffic or signed no-filtering sections.

Western Australia: filtering restrictions

Two-wheeled motorcycles may safely filter at up to 30 km/h between same-direction slow/stopped traffic. Learners, sidecars and trikes are excluded.

Jurisdiction

Western Australia

Who and what this covers

Licensed riders of two-wheeled motorcycles

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.
• The applicable road limit must exceed 40 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• Excluded: crossings and their approaches; school/shared zones; heavy vehicles; merging traffic; no-overtaking sections; roundabouts; special-purpose lanes and their edges; kerbs, road edges and parked cars.

South Australia: licence and location limits

Safe filtering at up to 30 km/h requires an R or R-Date motorcycle licence without L/P-plate requirements. A car-only moped entitlement is insufficient.

Jurisdiction

South Australia

Who and what this covers

Eligible R/R-Date motorcycle licence holders

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• No learners/P1 riders, school zones, crossings, parked-car/road-edge gaps, roundabouts, bicycle or tram lanes.

Tasmania: full-licence filtering

Full motorcycle licence holders may safely filter at up to 30 km/h between same-direction slow/stopped traffic. Interstate learner and provisional riders are also excluded.

Jurisdiction

Tasmania

Who and what this covers

Full motorcycle licence holders

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• No active school zones, road-edge gaps, parked cars or signed no-filtering sections.

ACT: full-licence filtering

Full motorcycle licence holders may safely filter at up to 30 km/h past stationary or slow traffic. Learner and provisional riders are excluded.

Jurisdiction

Australian Capital Territory

Who and what this covers

Full motorcycle licence holders

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum filtering speed: 30 km/h.

Not covered by this finding

• No 40 km/h zones, kerb-side footpaths, bicycle/breakdown lanes, heavy vehicles or buses.

Stop before passing at crossings

Before drawing ahead of a vehicle stopped at or immediately before an uncontrolled pedestrian or cycle crossing, stop yourself and yield to crossing users. Queue passing does not remove this obligation.

Jurisdiction

Japan

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles at uncontrolled crossings.

Checked

13 October 2026

Do not straddle lane markings

Thai traffic law prohibits riding on or straddling lane-dividing lines except while changing lanes, turning or making a U-turn. Overtaking also requires adequate clearance. A traffic gap does not waive those rules.

Jurisdiction

Thailand

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Remain within one marked lane

On roads with marked same-direction lanes, ride within one lane. Change only where permitted, one adjacent lane at a time, signalling and checking safe distances ahead, behind and beside you. Dedicated lanes remain restricted to their specified vehicle types.

Jurisdiction

Vietnam

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Do not weave through queues

When vehicles ahead are queued or moving slowly, motor vehicles must not weave through waiting vehicles, borrow another road space to overtake or occupy the opposing lane. A queue does not create a motorcycle exception.

Jurisdiction

China (mainland)

Who and what this covers

Motor vehicles in queues.

Checked

13 October 2026

Stay within marked lanes

Keep within marked lanes and signal permitted lane changes. Do not overtake across solid dividing lines, at junctions or pedestrian crossings, or in signed school, hospital and construction zones. A stationary vehicle may be passed on the left only when safe.

Jurisdiction

India

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Use safe overtaking space

Overtake using the lane or road space to the vehicle’s right, with clear sight and enough room. Left-side passing is allowed only in specified conditions, including a congested right lane, while preserving safety. Do not pass a vehicle signalling a move right.

Jurisdiction

Indonesia

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

No express corridor ban; keep clearance

Brazil’s traffic authority says the Code does not expressly ban motorcycles between traffic rows. Keep safe lateral and forward distance, adjusted to speed, weather and vehicle conditions; do not use pavements, cycle lanes or shoulders as a bypass.

Jurisdiction

Brazil

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Avoid filtering in dense traffic

Morocco’s road-safety authority advises riders to avoid travelling between rows of cars in heavy traffic, keep safe clearance and signal overtaking or lane changes. This is safety guidance, not evidence of a blanket statutory filtering ban.

Jurisdiction

Morocco

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Queue passing still requires safe riding

National law prohibits reckless or negligent riding on public roads. A gap between traffic lanes does not remove that duty; no numerical filtering permission follows from this provision.

Jurisdiction

South Africa

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles on public roads.

Checked

13 October 2026

Dense traffic and crossings

When dense traffic moves in parallel rows, passing in another lane is distinct from overtaking, but lane changes are limited to specified needs. Never pass a vehicle that blocks your full view of an approaching pedestrian crossing.

Jurisdiction

Denmark; excludes Faroe Islands and Greenland

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Leave safe lateral clearance

Queue passing remains subject to ordinary road rules. A rider may overtake only without danger and must leave safe lateral clearance. Passing in a separate lane is distinct from squeezing through a gap.

Jurisdiction

Sweden

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Stop before obscured crossings

Do not pass a vehicle or tram stopped before a pedestrian crossing without stopping yourself, unless a traffic island or an empty lane separates you. Slow down and stop if necessary when the crossing is otherwise obscured.

Jurisdiction

Finland

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Keep the rescue corridor clear

Ordinary motorcycles may not use a rescue corridor formed between traffic lanes. It is reserved for priority vehicles and authorised road-management or roadside-assistance vehicles involved in rescue work.

Jurisdiction

Poland

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Safe space for passing

Passing moving or stopped traffic requires enough road space, without disrupting oncoming vehicles or endangering other road users. Motorcycle agility does not override those conditions.

Jurisdiction

Croatia

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Keep the emergency corridor clear

In stopped or slow motorway queues, leave the rescue corridor between the leftmost lane and its neighbour. Ordinary motorcycles must not use that corridor to pass the queue.

Jurisdiction

Slovakia

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Two wheels in stopped traffic

Two-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds may advance beside or between vehicles stopped for traffic reasons to take a position ahead, with enough space and without obstructing vehicles signalling a change of direction.

Jurisdiction

Hungary

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Conditions and qualifications

• Traffic must be stopped.
• Two wheels only.

Red-light and railway queues

Do not overtake a column of vehicles stopped at a red traffic light or a railway crossing. Faster travel in a separate same-direction lane is a distinct manoeuvre under the lane rules.

Jurisdiction

Romania

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026

Stopped traffic at 20 km/h

Filtering covers two-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds without sidecars between same-direction lanes. Use dipped headlights, yield, keep safe clearance and stop if needed.

Jurisdiction

Greece

Who and what this covers

Two wheels; no sidecar.

Checked

13 October 2026

Effective from

13 September 2025

Conditions and qualifications

• Maximum 20 km/h.
• Other vehicles must be stopped.
• Road must have at least 2 lanes per direction.

Overtaking conditions still apply

Overtaking must not endanger or inconvenience anyone. Pass on the right, except specified turning situations or slow traffic where vehicles in the lane to your right move more slowly. This lane exception does not itself authorise riding between lanes.

Jurisdiction

Ireland

Who and what this covers

Motorcycles.

Checked

13 October 2026