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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:
- Arizona (moped)
- New Mexico (moped)
- New York (Class C limited use motorcycle)
- Oklahoma (motor-driven cycle)
- South Carolina (three-wheel motorcycle vehicle)
- Vermont (motor-driven cycle)
- Wisconsin (moped)
- Wyoming (moped)
- 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
State | Required To Wear Helmet | Motorcycle Type Vehicles Not Covered | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 25 and younger | Motorized bicycles not covered | In Missouri, riders younger than 26 and instruction permit holders, regardless of age, must wear pro... |
| Nebraska | 20 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... |
| Arkansas | 20 and younger | All are covered | |
| Florida | 20 and younger | Mopeds not covered | In Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. ... |
| Kentucky | 20 and younger | Mopeds not covered | In Kentucky, motorcycle helmet laws also cover operators with instructional/learner's permits.
Mope... |
| Michigan | 20 and younger | Mopeds not covered | In Michigan, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets, without exception. Those... |
| Pennsylvania | 20 and younger | All are covered | Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensur... |
| Rhode Island | 20 and younger | All are covered | Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators... |
| South Carolina | 20 and younger | Motorcycle three-wheel vehicles not covered | Motorcycle three-wheel vehicles are defined as having detachable side cars, saddle-type seat, and ha... |
| Texas | 20 and younger | All are covered | Texas exempts riders 21 or older if they can either show proof of successfully completing a motorcyc... |
| Utah | 20 and younger | All are covered | |
| Delaware | 18 and younger (inc. passengers); novice riders & passengers for two years after endorsement | Mopeds not covered | In Delaware, every motorcycle operator or rider age 19 and older must carry an approved helmet.
Mop... |
| Colorado | 17 and younger (inc. passengers) | All are covered | |
| Alaska | 17 and younger | All are covered | Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and ope... |
| Arizona | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or les... |
| Connecticut | 17 and younger | All are covered | |
| Hawaii | 17 and younger | All are covered | |
| Idaho | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of less than ... |
| Indiana | 17 and younger | All are covered | |
| Kansas | 17 and younger | All are covered | |
| Maine | 17 and younger | Motorized bicycles not covered | Motorcycle helmet laws in Maine cover operators with instructional/learner's permits and operators i... |
| Minnesota | 17 and younger | All are covered | Motorcycle helmet laws in Minnesota cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. |
| Montana | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 30 mph. |
| New Mexico | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement less than 50 cc and maximum speeds of 30 mph. |
| North Dakota | 17 and younger | All are covered | North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are cove... |
| Ohio | 17 and younger | All are covered | Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all pas... |
| Oklahoma | 17 and younger | Motor-driven cycles not covered | Motor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement greater than 35 cc but less than 15... |
| South Dakota | 17 and younger | All are covered | |
| Wisconsin | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Motorcycle helmet laws in Wisconsin cover operators with instructional/learner's permits.
Mopeds ar... |
| Wyoming | 17 and younger | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less,... |
| Illinois | no law | No law | |
| Iowa | no law | No law | |
| New Hampshire | no law | No law | |
| Alabama | all riders | All are covered | |
| California | all riders | All are covered | |
| District of Columbia | all riders | All are covered | |
| Georgia | all riders | Mopeds not covered | Mopeds are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less ... |
| Louisiana | all riders | All are covered | |
| Maryland | all riders | All are covered | |
| Massachusetts | all riders | All are covered | |
| Mississippi | all riders | All are covered | |
| Nevada | all riders | All are covered | |
| New Jersey | all riders | All are covered | |
| New York | all riders | Class C limited use motorcycles not covered | Class C limited use motorcycle, defined as having maximum speeds of 20 mph. |
| North Carolina | all riders | All are covered | |
| Oregon | all riders | All are covered | |
| Tennessee | all riders | All are covered | |
| Vermont | all riders | Motor-driven cycles not covered | Motor-driven cycles are defined as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower ... |
| Virginia | all riders | All are covered | |
| Washington | all riders | All are covered | |
| West Virginia | all riders | All are covered |