The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia House Bill 4972 Prohibits Motorcycle Lane Splitting and Filtering
Last action · January 29, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsor: Linville
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 4972 explicitly bans motorcycle and on all public roadways in West Virginia while preserving a motorcycle's right to full use of a single traffic lane. Violating the prohibition is a misdemeanor punishable by escalating fines ranging from up to $100 for a first offense to up to $500 for third and subsequent convictions. The measure authorizes the Division of Highways and the Division of Motor Vehicles to and update driver licensing and safety materials.
Motorcycle operators face misdemeanor charges and fines up to $500 for riding between lanes of traffic, while drivers of other vehicles are explicitly barred from crowding motorcycles out of their lanes.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
motorcycle operators
Motorcycle operators are prohibited from engaging in lane splitting or lane filtering, face misdemeanor penalties for violations, and are guaranteed the full use of a single traffic lane.
motor vehicle drivers
Drivers of other motor vehicles are prohibited from operating in a manner that deprives a motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane.
Division of Highways
The agency is authorized to promulgate rules for legislative approval and incorporate provisions into driver licensing materials.
Division of Motor Vehicles
The agency is authorized to promulgate rules and incorporate provisions into motorcycle-safety materials.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lane splitting under this bill?
Are there any exceptions where lane splitting is allowed?
What are the penalties for violating the lane splitting ban?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 29, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 29, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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