Is Lane Splitting Legal in Maine After the 2026 Law Changes?

No, lane splitting remains illegal in Maine under Title 29-A §2073, with no 2026 legislative changes altering enforcement. The state’s statutes prohibit motorcyclists from overtaking vehicles within the same lane, aligning with traditional traffic safety frameworks. Local advocacy groups, including the Maine Motorcycle Association, have lobbied for reform, but the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has not amended regulations to permit lane filtering or splitting. Violations may result in citations under reckless operation statutes.

Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in Maine

  • Statutory Prohibition: Title 29-A §2073 explicitly bans motorcycles from occupying the same lane as another vehicle or overtaking between lanes, with no exceptions for low-speed scenarios.
  • Enforcement Priorities: The Maine State Police prioritize lane splitting violations under reckless operation charges (Title 29-A §2074), particularly in high-traffic corridors like I-95 and I-295.
  • Local Jurisdictional Discretion: Municipalities retain limited authority to enforce traffic violations, but statewide uniformity under the BMV’s regulatory framework supersedes local variances.