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all riders
18
17 and younger
17
20 and younger
9
no law
3
25 and younger
1
20 and younger (effective 01/01/2024)
1
18 and younger (inc. passengers); novice riders & passengers for two years after endorsement
1
17 and younger (inc. passengers)
1

Helmet Law States 2024

Helmet Law States 2024

There is no federal law requiring bike or motorcycle riders to wear helmets. This causes a mix of legislation regarding helmets across all 50 states. Whether or not it is a law to wear a helmet when riding, doing so is always a good idea.

Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce one's risk of serious brain injury or death. A proper helmet absorbs the impact energy during a collision or fall, protecting the head and brain. Head trauma can lead to permanent cognitive and behavioral problems such as sleep disorders, trouble concentrating, memory loss, and disability. As always, motorcyclists should follow all posted speed limits and be aware of lane splitting laws,

Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State

Motorcycle helmet laws are usually written to apply to all riders or riders under a specified age. Additionally, some states' motorcycle helmet laws do not cover certain motorcycle-type vehicles, such as mopeds or motorized bicycles. There are only three states that do not have motorcycle helmet laws: Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire.

Nineteen states require that all riders wear a helmet. Eighteen states require riders 17 and younger to wear helmets, and nine states require riders 20 and younger to wear helmets. Delaware requires riders 18 and younger to wear helmets, and Missouri sets the age as 25.

The following states' laws do not cover certain motorcycle-type vehicles and their specific definitions of these vehicles can be found in the table below:

Helmet Law States 2024

Notes:
- Most states define a moped as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less, and a maximum speed of 25 mph.
- Delaware defines a moped as a pedal or non-pedal bicycle having two tandem wheels and an engine displacement of less than 55 cc or an electric motor rated between 751 and 2000 watts, if the operator is 17 or older

Download Table Data

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State
Required To Wear Helmet
Motorcycle Type Vehicles Not Covered
Additional Details
Missouri25 and youngerMotorized bicycles not covered
In Missouri, riders younger than 26 and instruction permit holders, regardless of age, must wear pro...
Nebraska20 and younger (effective 01/01/2024)All are covered
In Nebraska, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets. Those 21 and older may r...
Arkansas20 and youngerAll are covered
Florida20 and youngerMopeds not covered
In Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. ...
Kentucky20 and youngerMopeds not covered
In Kentucky, motorcycle helmet laws also cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Mope...
Michigan20 and youngerMopeds not covered
In Michigan, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets, without exception. Those...
Pennsylvania20 and youngerAll are covered
Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensur...
Rhode Island20 and youngerAll are covered
Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators...
South Carolina20 and youngerMotorcycle three-wheel vehicles not covered
Motorcycle three-wheel vehicles are defined as having detachable side cars, saddle-type seat, and ha...
Texas20 and youngerAll are covered
Texas exempts riders 21 or older if they can either show proof of successfully completing a motorcyc...
Utah20 and youngerAll are covered
Delaware18 and younger (inc. passengers); novice riders & passengers for two years after endorsementMopeds not covered
In Delaware, every motorcycle operator or rider age 19 and older must carry an approved helmet. Mop...
Colorado17 and younger (inc. passengers)All are covered
Alaska17 and youngerAll are covered
Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and ope...
Arizona17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or les...
Connecticut17 and youngerAll are covered
Hawaii17 and youngerAll are covered
Idaho17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of less than ...
Indiana17 and youngerAll are covered
Kansas17 and youngerAll are covered
Maine17 and youngerMotorized bicycles not covered
Motorcycle helmet laws in Maine cover operators with instructional/learner's permits and operators i...
Minnesota17 and youngerAll are covered
Motorcycle helmet laws in Minnesota cover operators with instructional/learner's permits.
Montana17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 30 mph.
New Mexico17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement less than 50 cc and maximum speeds of 30 mph.
North Dakota17 and youngerAll are covered
North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are cove...
Ohio17 and youngerAll are covered
Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all pas...
Oklahoma17 and youngerMotor-driven cycles not covered
Motor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement greater than 35 cc but less than 15...
South Dakota17 and youngerAll are covered
Wisconsin17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Motorcycle helmet laws in Wisconsin cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Mopeds ar...
Wyoming17 and youngerMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less,...
Illinoisno lawNo law
Iowano lawNo law
New Hampshireno lawNo law
Alabamaall ridersAll are covered
Californiaall ridersAll are covered
District of Columbiaall ridersAll are covered
Georgiaall ridersMopeds not covered
Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less ...
Louisianaall ridersAll are covered
Marylandall ridersAll are covered
Massachusettsall ridersAll are covered
Mississippiall ridersAll are covered
Nevadaall ridersAll are covered
New Jerseyall ridersAll are covered
New Yorkall ridersClass C limited use motorcycles not covered
Class C limited use motorcycle, defined as having maximum speeds of 20 mph.
North Carolinaall ridersAll are covered
Oregonall ridersAll are covered
Tennesseeall ridersAll are covered
Vermontall ridersMotor-driven cycles not covered
Motor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower ...
Virginiaall ridersAll are covered
Washingtonall ridersAll are covered
West Virginiaall ridersAll are covered
showing: 51 rows

Helmet Law States 2024

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