HB2941
HB2941: New Rules for Motorcycle Lane Splitting and Reckless Driving
In one sentence
This law makes it reckless driving to ride a motorcycle between lanes or pass in the same lane, unless specific safety rules are followed.
What it does
- Classifies riding a motorcycle between traffic lanes as reckless driving if not authorized by current exceptions.
- Classifies passing another vehicle while staying in the same lane on a motorcycle as reckless driving.
- Defines these new violations as class 2 misdemeanors for first-time offenders.
- Increases penalties to a class 1 misdemeanor with mandatory jail time of at least twenty days for repeat offenses within 24 months.
- Allows judges to require drivers to surrender their licenses and order suspensions of up to ninety days upon conviction.
Who it affects
- Motorcycle operators who ride between lanes of traffic or pass in the same lane.
- Drivers convicted of reckless driving under these new rules.
- Courts that sentence individuals for violations of this law.
- The state department responsible for suspending driver licenses.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not change the existing exceptions that allow motorcycles to pass stopped vehicles in the same lane.
- The text states the bill becomes effective on the general effective date but does not specify an exact calendar day for this act.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Reckless Driving
- Driving a vehicle in disregard for the safety of people or property, now including specific motorcycle lane violations.
- Class 2 Misdemeanor
- A type of criminal offense that carries penalties such as fines and potential jail time.
- Lane Splitting
- Operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or adjacent rows of vehicles.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
HB2941 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet Assigned to PS����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� FOR COMMITTEE ARIZONA STATE SENATE Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session REVISED FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2941 motorcycles; reckless driving Purpose ����������� Classifies operating a motorcycle between the lanes of traffic or to overtake and pass a vehicle in the same lane as reckless driving, which is a class 2 misdemeanor, except when authorized. Background ����������� All motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a lane. However, the operator of a motorcycle may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken or operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles, unless the operator is: 1) overtaking and passing a vehicle that is stopped in the same lane and direction of travel as the operator; or 2) operating the motorcycle between lanes of traffic if the movement may be made safely and the operator operates the motorcycle at a speed that does not exceed 15 miles per hour on a street that is divided into at least two adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel and has a speed limit of up to 45 miles per hour ( A.R.S. � 28-903 ) ����������� A person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving and, if convicted, guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor ( A.R.S. � 28-693 ). ����������� There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. Provisions 1. Classifies the following as reckless driving, except when authorized: a) an operator of a motorcycle who overtakes and passes in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken; and b) a person who operates a motorcycle between the lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles. 2. Makes conforming changes. 3. Becomes effective on the general effective date. Revisions 1. Corrects the purpose statement to classify the act as reckless driving, which is a class 2 misdemeanor, rather than a class 2 misdemeanor. 2. Clarifies the purpose statement and provisions to classify the act as reckless driving, except when authorized, rather than as prescribed. House Action ���������������������������������������������������������� Senate Action JUD���������������� 2/3/26������� W/D��� �������������������������� PS������������������� 3/18/26����� DP���� 5-1-1���������������������������������� TI������������������� 2/11/26����� DP������ 7-0-0-0 3 rd Read��������� 3/2/26������������������� 56-0-3-0-1 Prepared by Senate Research March 24, 2026 KJA/hk
Official activity
Bill history
- Governor signedSenate
- Transmitted to HouseHouse
- Senate third read passedSenate
- Senate minority caucusSenate
- Senate majority caucusSenate
- Senate consent calendarSenate
- Senate second readSenate
- Senate Rules: PFCSenate
- Senate Public Safety: DPSenate
- Senate first readSenate
- Transmitted to SenateSenate
- House third read passedHouse
- House minority caucusHouse
- House majority caucusHouse
- House consent calendarHouse
- House second readHouse
- House Rules: C&PHouse
- House Transportation & Infrastructure: DPHouse
- House Judiciary: W/DHouse
- House first readHouse