Motorcyclists can begin lane splitting and filtering in Minnesota starting Tuesday. Here's what to know.
Beginning on Tuesday, motorcyclists in Minnesota will be able to get through traffic jams a little quicker.
Both "lane splitting" and "lane filtering" are about to become legal in Minnesota, at least under certain circumstances.
At a driver exam station in Eagan, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety put on a live demonstration to show what lane splitting and lane filtering are for motorcycles.
"Riders, this is not a free pass for dangerous driving behaviors," said Office of Traffic Safety director Mike Hanson. "Take it slow, and if it doesn't feel safe, you don't have to do it."
How does lane splitting work?
Lane splitting for motorcyclists will be allowed when two or more lanes of traffic are traveling in the same direction. It allows a motorcycle to pass another vehicle going in the same direction, and in the same lane, but at no more than 25 mph.
Motorcyclists are also not allowed to travel more than 15 mph over the speed of traffic while in relevant traffic lanes, according to public safety officials.
"Remember, that decision to share or split that lane is the rider's responsibility to make," Hanson said. "And so if you're comfortable with it, then you can make that decision. If you're not, then just stay in the lane and move along with traffic."
How does lane filtering work?
Lane filtering is when a motorcycle moves between lanes of traffic when other vehicle aren't moving.
Motorcyclists in Minnesota will now be allowed to move through traffic during a traffic jam — but at no more than 15 mph over the speed of traffic.
Public safety leaders say lane splitting and filtering will not be allowed on freeway on-ramps, roundabout exits, school zones and work zone when only one lane is available.
Public safety officials also note it's the responsibility of motorcyclists to "determine if these maneuvers can safely be performed in a given situation," and motorists are urged to be aware of lane sharing with motorcycles in slow-moving traffic.
Motorists can be charged with a misdemeanor if they prevent a motorcyclist from lane filtering or splitting.
DPS urges drivers to do their part for safe travel
Jay Bock, DPS's motorcycle safety coordinator, made it clear in Monday's news conference that Minnesota lawmakers were the driving force behind these new policies, and not his department, which had some initial doubts about .
"We all know our roads are busier and more congested than they've ever been, and we're adding another element to that roadway congestion and all of the busyness going on around it," Bock said. "And so there were some concerns raised with how we could roll this out effectively and safely for everybody, and so as we've constructed the outreach and the education campaign, that's really what we've been focused on."
Eighty-four motorcyclists were killed on Minnesota roads in 2022 — the deadliest year on record, according to Hanson. Last year was almost as deadly, and the death toll is growing in 2025.
"Last year, we lost 76 riders in completely preventable events on Minnesota roads. That's completely unacceptable. One rider lost, one driver lost, one passenger lost is far too many. We can't accept that anymore," Hanson said. "This year we're standing at 18 already, and we're only at kind of the front third of that riding season, so we need everybody to make sure that we're all committed to riding and driving safely."
Bock says his department's core mission is to implement the new law and instruct motorcyclists, motorists and passengers alike to do their part for safer travels.
"If we share the road with each other and we're respectful of the varying needs and abilities of drivers, riders and vehicles on the roadways, we can all have a safe experience," Bock said.
Find more information on the new law on .
