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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 2023

Helmet Law States 2023

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 2023

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 coveredIn Missouri, riders younger than 26 and instruction permit holders, regardless of age, must wear protective headgear when the vehicle is in motion. Operators who are 26 and older may operate a motorcycle without protective headgear if they maintain proof of financial responsiblity. No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance. Motorized bicycles are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower less than 3, and maximum speed of 30 mph.
Nebraska20 and younger (effective 01/01/2024)All are coveredIn Nebraska, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets. Those 21 and older may ride without helmets if they complete a motorcycle safety course and submit proof of completion to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Arkansas20 and youngerAll are covered
Florida20 and youngerMopeds not coveredIn Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph, if the operator is 16 or older.
Kentucky20 and youngerMopeds not coveredIn Kentucky, motorcycle helmet laws also cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph.
Michigan20 and youngerMopeds not coveredIn Michigan, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 and older may ride without helmets only if they carry additional insurance and have passed a motorcycle safety course or have had their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years. Motorcycle passengers who want to exercise this option also must be 21 or older and carry additional insurance. Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less and maximum speed of 30 mph, if the operator is 19 or older.
Pennsylvania20 and youngerAll are coveredPennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensure unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Rhode Island20 and youngerAll are coveredRhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators during the first year of licensure (regardless of age)
South Carolina20 and youngerMotorcycle three-wheel vehicles not coveredMotorcycle three-wheel vehicles are defined as having detachable side cars, saddle-type seat, and handlebars or motorcycle-type steering.
Texas20 and youngerAll are coveredTexas exempts riders 21 or older if they can either show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or can show proof of having a medical insurance policy. A peace officer may not stop or detain a person who is the operator of or a passenger on a motorcycle for the sole purpose of determining whether the person has successfully completed the motorcycle operator training and safety course or is covered by a health insurance plan
Utah20 and youngerAll are covered
Delaware18 and younger (inc. passengers); novice riders & passengers for two years after endorsementMopeds not coveredIn Delaware, every motorcycle operator or rider age 19 and older must carry an approved helmet. Mopeds are defined 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.
Colorado17 and younger (inc. passengers)All are covered
Alaska17 and youngerAll are coveredAlaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits.
Arizona17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less, and a maximum speed of 25 mph.
Connecticut17 and youngerAll are covered
Hawaii17 and youngerAll are covered
Idaho17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of less than 2, and maximum speed of 30 mph.
Indiana17 and youngerAll are covered
Kansas17 and youngerAll are covered
Maine17 and youngerMotorized bicycles not coveredMotorcycle helmet laws in Maine cover operators with instructional/learner's permits and operators in their first year of licensure. Maine's motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 17 and younger and passengers riding with operators who are required to wear a helmet. Motorized bicycles are defined as having brake horsepower of 1.5 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 25 mph; may have pedals.
Minnesota17 and youngerAll are coveredMotorcycle helmet laws in Minnesota cover operators with instructional/learner's permits.
Montana17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMopeds are defined as having brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 30 mph.
New Mexico17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMopeds are defined as having an engine displacement less than 50 cc and maximum speeds of 30 mph.
North Dakota17 and youngerAll are coveredNorth Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law.
Ohio17 and youngerAll are coveredOhio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law
Oklahoma17 and youngerMotor-driven cycles not coveredMotor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement greater than 35 cc but less than 150 cc or electric motor that produces more than 1000 watts moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum speed of 30 mph.
South Dakota17 and youngerAll are covered
Wisconsin17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMotorcycle helmet laws in Wisconsin cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 130 cc or less, maximum speed of 30 mph, and fully operative pedals.
Wyoming17 and youngerMopeds not coveredMopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph.
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 coveredMopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum speed on 30 mph.
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 coveredClass 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 coveredMotor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph.
Virginiaall ridersAll are covered
Washingtonall ridersAll are covered
West Virginiaall ridersAll are covered
showing: 51 rows

Helmet Law States 2023

Sources