A CHP friend of mine wrote this up for me to share with you.

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

If you lane split, avoid weaving between the two lanes and don't exceed traffic speed by more than 10mph.

Your odds of getting ticketed also increase if you lane split between the carpool and fast lane. A double yellow line divides the two lanes and those are illegal to cross. However, he did say it is up to the officer on this. --Also, I don't think I have ever noticed the double yellow line.

Also, when merging onto a highway: If there are two lanes on the rampyou may split to the front. If there is a stop light for both sides obey the light. If one side has a light and the other does not (for carpool usually) it is ok to move into the carpool side without stopping. If you split to the front and the light allows one vehicle per light, then you should give the light to the vehicle first and wait for the next light. If you go together you are violating the sign posting. If it is two vehicles per light, then you can go with the other vehicle you are sharing lanes with.

Just thought I would post up his views on the unofficial "laws"

 

What he said about splitting between the carpool and fast lane is interesting, simply because I've had cops pass me while I was in the fast lane, and they, without flashing lights will ride the double yellow on both sides or in some places the quadruple yellow.....

Like he said though, it is up to the officer

 

cops are above the law yo!

i'm surprised your buddy didn't tell you that there is a max speed for lane sharing...it's like up to 45mph and within 10 of traffic.

 

First of all the carpool/fast lane is the main lane we all use to split, rarely I split in the middle or to the right (too many people switching lanes and trying to get over cause there exit is coming up)

Second, If your splitting in heavy traffic and pass a police car, there is no way he can pull you over,He's stuck right where he is.A chipper would have to belane splitting the same lane (which they do) to get you.

Now we need to remember this lawwas created by the highway patrol and is only intended for highways notcity streets, there is no law saying it's ok, So you can get a ticketfor lane splitting anywhere but the highway, But it is so common and accepted here no one bothers.

 

RCR, Is there a maximum speed the traffic has to be traveling before you cannot lane split legally? Like anything over 25-30mph?

How do they determine when lane splitting is being done in a "safe and prudent" manner? I was too young to ride on the streets when I lived in CA, but I remember my dad doing it often when I rode with him.

 

it's 10mph over traffic speed but not to exceed the posted limit. example is on the freeway if traffic is going 50 mph you can legally split lanes at 60mph.

So no there is no limit where it cuts off, Just the "done in a safe matter" which is decided by the officer really.

this is on CA.gov in the section of CHP

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?
Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

Thereare no parameters to be followed, it's just a law that allows it

 

Interesting. I was always under the impression that it was only allowed when traffic was below a certain speed like 30mph or so.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I wish they would pass it here is WA. Its been shot down for the last few years that I have been paying attention to it.