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1 Motorcycle Amendments
2027 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Walt Brooks
Sponsor:
2


3 LONG TITLE
4 General Description:
5 This bill amends provisions related to motorcycles, including lane filtering, side-marker
6 lamps, and motorcycle rider education courses.
7 Highlighted Provisions:
8 This bill:
9 ▸ removes the sunset related to lane filtering, and makes lane filtering permanent;
10 ▸ changes the speed of highways on which lane filtering is allowed from 45 miles per hour
11 to 55 miles per hour;
12 ▸ allows a motorcycle to have an amber light on the side of the motorcycle to improve
13 visibility to other motorists;
14 ▸ allows a court to require participation in a motorcycle rider education course as part of a
15 penalty for traffic offenses committed while the individual was operating a motorcycle;
16 and
17 ▸ makes technical changes.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 41-6a-704 (Effective 05/05/27) (Partially Repealed 07/01/27), as last amended by Laws
25 of Utah 2024, Chapter 456
26 41-6a-1506 (Effective 05/05/27), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2026, Chapter 334
27 63I-1-241 (Effective 05/05/27), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2026, Chapter 334
28 ENACTS:
29 41-6a-1514 (Effective 05/05/27), Utah Code Annotated 1953
30


Heard in the Transportation Interim Committee on 10/21/2026
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31 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32 Section 1. Section 41-6a-704 is amended to read:
33 41-6a-704 (Effective 05/05/27) (Partially Repealed 07/01/27). Overtaking and
34 passing vehicles proceeding in same direction.
35 (1) As used in this section:
36 (a)(i) "Off-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects a freeway or limited
37 access highway to an intersection.
38 (ii) "Off-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two
39 controlled access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access
40 highway and a limited access highway.
41 (b)(i) "On-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects an intersection to a
42 freeway or limited access highway.
43 (ii) "On-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two controlled
44 access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access highway
45 and a limited access highway.
46 (2)(a) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-718, on any highway:
47 (i) the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same
48 direction shall:
49 (A) except as provided under Section 41-6a-705, promptly pass the overtaken
50 vehicle on the left at a safe distance; and
51 (B) enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear
52 of the overtaken vehicle; and
53 (ii) the operator of an overtaken vehicle:
54 (A) shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle; and
55 (B) may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the
56 overtaking vehicle.
57 (b) The exemption from the minimum speed regulations for a vehicle operating on a
58 grade under Section 41-6a-605 does not exempt the vehicle from promptly passing a
59 vehicle as required under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A).
60 (3) On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of a vehicle
61 traveling in the left general purpose lane:
62 (a) shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the
63 overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right; and
64 (b) may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose lane.
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65 (4) An operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane that has a vehicle
66 following directly behind the operator's vehicle at a distance so that less than two
67 seconds elapse before reaching the location of the operator's vehicle when space is
68 available for the operator to yield to the overtaking vehicle by traveling in the right-hand
69 lane is prima facie evidence that the operator is violating Subsection (3).
70 (5) The provisions of Subsection (3) do not apply to an operator of a vehicle traveling in the
71 left general purpose lane when:
72 (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in
73 accordance with Subsection (2)(a)(i);
74 (b) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway or an exit on the left;
75 (c) responding to emergency conditions;
76 (d) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or
77 merging lane; or
78 (e) following the direction of a traffic-control device that directs the use of a designated
79 lane.
80 (6) An individual may engage in lane filtering only when the following conditions exist:
81 (a) the individual is operating a motorcycle;
82 (b) the individual is:
83 (i) on a roadway that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
84 direction of travel; or
85 (ii) on an off-ramp that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
86 direction of travel;
87 (c) the individual is:
88 (i) on a roadway with a speed limit of [45] 55 miles per hour or less; or
89 (ii) on an off-ramp;
90 (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp;
91 (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped;
92 (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and
93 (g) the movement may be made safely.
94 (7) A violation of Subsection (2), (3), or (6) is an infraction.
95 Section 2. Section 41-6a-1506 is amended to read:
96 41-6a-1506 (Effective 05/05/27). Motorcycles -- Required equipment -- Brakes.
97 (1) A motorcycle shall be equipped with the following items:
98 (a) one head lamp that, when factory equipped with an automatic lighting ignition
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99 system, may not be disconnected;
100 (b) one tail lamp;
101 (c) either a tail lamp or a separate lamp which illuminates the rear license plate with a
102 white light;
103 (d) one red reflector on the rear, either separate or as part of the tail lamp;
104 (e) one stop lamp;
105 (f) a braking system, other than parking brake, in accordance with Section 41-6a-1623;
106 (g) a horn or warning device in accordance with Section 41-6a-1625;
107 (h) a muffler and emission control system in accordance with Section 41-6a-1626;
108 (i) a mirror in accordance with Section 41-6a-1627; and
109 (j) tires in accordance with Section 41-6a-1636.
110 (2)(a) A motorcycle may be equipped with amber lamps mounted on the side of the
111 motorcycle for the purpose of increasing the visibility of the motorcycle to other
112 motorists if:
113 (i) the lamps display only a steady amber light;
114 (ii) the lamps are mounted on the sides of the motorcycle and are oriented to improve
115 side visibility;
116 (iii) the lamps do not flash, oscillate, rotate, or otherwise imitate emergency vehicle
117 lighting; and
118 (iv) the lamps are not blue, red, or a combination of blue and red.
119 (b) A lamp authorized under Subsection (2)(a) does not violate Section 41-6a-1604.
120 [(2)] (3) An autocycle shall be equipped with the following items:
121 (a) a seatbelt for each seat installed in the autocycle in accordance with Section
122 41-6a-1628;
123 (b) at least one head lamp that, when factory equipped with an automatic lighting
124 ignition system, may not be disconnected;
125 (c) at least one tail lamp;
126 (d) either a tail lamp or a separate lamp that illuminates the rear license plate with a
127 white light;
128 (e) at least one red reflector, either separate or as part of the tail lamp or tail lamps;
129 (f) at least one stop lamp;
130 (g) a braking system, other than a parking brake, in accordance with Section 41-6a-1623;
131 (h) a horn or warning device in accordance with Section 41-6a-1625;
132 (i) a muffler and emission control system in accordance with Section 41-6a-1626 that,
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133 when factory equipped, may not be removed;
134 (j) a mirror in accordance with Section 41-6a-1627; and
135 (k) tires in accordance with Section 41-6a-1636.
136 [(3)] (4) A violation of this section is an infraction.
137 Section 3. Section 41-6a-1514 is enacted to read:
138 41-6a-1514 (Effective 05/05/27). Court-ordered motorcycle rider education
139 course.
140 (1) A court may order an individual convicted of a violation of this chapter committed
141 while operating a motorcycle to successfully complete a motorcycle rider education
142 course approved under Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 9, Motorcycle Rider Education Act.
143 (2) A court may order an individual to complete a motorcycle rider education course
144 described in Subsection (1):
145 (a) in addition to another penalty authorized by law; or
146 (b) as a condition of probation.
147 (3) The court shall establish a deadline for completion of the motorcycle rider education
148 course required as described in Subsection (1).
149 (4) An individual ordered to complete a motorcycle rider education course under this
150 section is responsible for the cost of the course unless the court orders otherwise.
151 Section 4. Section 63I-1-241 is amended to read:
152 63I-1-241 (Effective 05/05/27). Repeal dates: Title 41.
153 (1) Subsection 41-1a-1201(8), regarding the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund, is repealed
154 July 1, 2029.
155 [(2) Subsection 41-6a-102(39), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027.]
156 [(3) Subsection 41-6a-704(6), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027.]
157 [(4) Subsection 41-6a-710(1)(c), regarding lane filtering, is repealed July 1, 2027.]
158 [(5)] (2) Subsection 41-6a-1406(7)(b)(iii), regarding the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund,
159 is repealed July 1, 2029.
160 [(6)] (3) Subsection 41-22-2(1), regarding an advisory council addressing off-highway
161 vehicle issues, is repealed July 1, 2027.
162 [(7)] (4) Subsection 41-22-10(1), regarding an advisory council addressing off-highway
163 vehicle issues, is repealed July 1, 2027.
164 [(8)] (5) Subsection 41-22-8(3)(b), regarding the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund, is
165 repealed July 1, 2029.
166 Section 5. Effective Date.
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167 This bill takes effect on May 5, 2027.
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