Motorcycle Helmet Laws in the USA
Starting in the 1960s, the federal government began requiring states to implement motorcycle helmet laws in order to qualify for specific federal funding. Nearly all states enacted helmet laws by the early 1970s. Shortly after this time period, states began repealing, amending, or reenacting their motorcycle helmet laws. By 1980, most states had either repealed their helmet laws, or amended the laws so as to only cover young operators and passengers.
Currently, forty-six states and the District of Columbia require some degree of helmet use by motorcycle operators and passengers. Only four states (Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire) do not have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.
The information present in this article and following table should only be used as a guide. Specific questions should be directed to a qualified attorney licensed in your state. Nothing in this summary should be construed as legal advice.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State
Click on the name of the state to access relevant statutory authority.State |
Required |
Authority |
Yes |
Alabama Code §32-5A-245. |
|
Yes, helmets are required for passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18 years old, and all operators with instructional permits. |
Alaska 13 A.A.C. 04.350. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Arizona Revised Statute §28-964. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. |
Arkansas Code §27-20-104. |
|
Yes |
California Vehicle Code, Division 12, Chapter 5, Article 7, Section 27803. |
|
Colorado |
Effective July 1, 2007, helmets are now required by law for those ages 18 and under, including passengers. |
Colorado Revised Statute §42-4-1502. |
Yes, required while using training permit. Helmets are also required for all operators and passengers under the age of 18. |
C.G.S. Title 14, Chapter 248, §14-289g. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 19. |
Delaware Code Title 21, Chapter 41, Subchapter XI, §4185. |
|
District of Columbia |
Yes |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. Operators and passengers over the age of 21 may ride without a helmet if they have proof that they have adequate medical insurance. |
Florida Statute Title XXIII §316.211. |
|
Yes |
Georgia Code Title 40, Chapter 6, Article 13, §40-6-315. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Hawaii H.R.S. Volume 5, Chapter 286, Part IV, § 286-81. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Idaho Statutes Title 49, Chapter 6, § 49-666. |
|
Illinois |
Not required |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Indiana Code Title 9, Article 19, Chapter 7, § 9-19-7-1. |
|
Iowa |
Not required |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18 |
Kansas Statute Chapter 8, Article 15, § 8-1598. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21, or if they are operating under a permit, or if they have had a valid motorcycle operator’s license for less than one year. |
Kentucky K.R.S. Title XVI, Chapter 189, § 285. |
|
Yes |
Louisiana Statute Title 32, Chapter 1, Part IV, Subpart G, § 190. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 15, or if operator has a learner's permit or is within one year of successfully completing his or her driving test. |
Maine M.R.S. Title 29-A, Chapter 19, Subchapter I, § 2083. |
|
Yes |
Maryland Code Transportation Section, Title 21, Subtitle 13, § 21-1306. |
|
Yes |
General Laws of Massachusetts Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 90, § 7. |
|
Yes |
Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter VI, § 257.658. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Minnesota Statute Chapter 169, § 169.974. |
|
Yes |
Mississippi Code Title 63, Chapter 7, § 63-7-64. |
|
Yes |
Missouri M.R.S. Title XIX, Chapter 302, § 302.020. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Montana Code Annotated Title 61, Chapter 9, Part 4, § 61-9-417. |
|
Yes |
Nebraska Statutes Chapter 60, Article 6, § 60-6, 279. |
|
Yes |
Nevada N.R.S. Title 43, Chapter 486, § 486.231. |
|
New Hampshire |
Yes, required under the age of 18 (not clear if still in effect) |
|
Yes |
New Jersey Statutes Title 39, Subtitle 1, Chapter 3, Article 3, § 39:3-76.7. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66, Article 7, Part 4, § 66-7-356. |
|
Yes |
N.Y. Consolidated Laws Chapter 71, Title III, Article 9, § 381. |
|
Yes |
N.C. General Statutes Chapter 20, Article 3, § 20-140.4. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
N.D. Century Code Title 39, Chapter 39-10.2, §39-10.2-06. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. This covers all operators during their first year of holding a license and all passengers of motorcycle operators who are covered by this law. |
Ohio Revised Code Title XLV, Chapter 4511, § 4511.53. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Oklahoma Statutes Title 47, § 47-12-609. |
|
Yes |
Oregon O.R.S. Volume 17, Title 59, Chapter 814, § 814.269. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. This law covers all motorcycle operators during their first two years of licensure unless the operator completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation safety course. |
PA 75 Pa. Code Chapter 35 § 3525. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. This covers all motorcycle operators during their first year of licensure and all passengers. |
R.I. General Laws Title 31, Chapter 10.1, § 31-10.1-4. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. |
S.C. Code of Laws Title 56, Chapter 5, Article 29, § 56-5-3660. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
S.D. Codified Laws Title 32, § 32-20-4. |
|
Yes |
Tennessee Code Title 55, Chapter 9, Part 3, § 55-9-302 (a). |
|
Yes, required under the age of 21. Riders 21 years of age and older may be exempt if they can either show proof of successful completion of a motorcycle operator training and safety course OR show proof of adequate medical insurance coverage. |
Texas Statutes Transportation Code Title 7, Subtitle G, Chapter 661, § 661.003. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 6a, § 41-6a-1505. |
|
Yes |
Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 13, Subchapter 14, Article 2, § 1256. |
|
Yes |
Code of Virginia Title 46.2, Subtitle II, Chapter 8, Article 13, § 46.2-910. |
|
Yes |
Revised Code of Washington Title 46, Chapter 46.37, § 46.37.530. |
|
Yes |
West Virginia Code Chapter 17C, Article 15, § 17C-15-44. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 347, § 347.485. |
|
Yes, required under the age of 18. |
Wyoming Statutes Title 31, Chapter 5, Article 1, § 31-5-115. |
.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective bicycle, please contact us. We will help you find a product liability attorney near you who can help you recover the financial compensation to which you are entitled.
