Currently there is no federal law requiring that motorcyclists wear helmets.
To help bikers figure out whether or not they need a helmet legally, we’ve compiled this guide to motorcycle laws by state.
States Without Motorcycle Helmet Laws
New Hampshire, Illinois and Iowa are the only states without motorcycle helmet laws. By state law, you are not required to wear a helmet at all while on a motorcycle in New Hampshire, but as soon as you cross over into Vermont, which requires a helmet for all passengers, you’ll need to put one on.
States with Motorcycle Helmet Laws That Apply to All Riders
These are states like Georgia, where the motorcycle helmet law is “universal,” meaning that it applies to all motorcycle drivers and riders regardless of their age.
- Alabama
- California
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
States with Motorcycle Helmet Laws That Apply to Specific Riders
The majority of states have some form of law, but not a universal requirement. Generally, these states are more concerned with young drivers and passengers. In states like South Carolina, the motorcycle helmet law only applies to those 20 years of age or younger, for example.
Riders 25 Years Old and Younger Need Helmets
- Missouri
Riders 20 Years Old and Younger Need Helmets
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
Riders 18 Years Old and Younger Need Helmets
- Delaware
Riders 17 Years Old and Younger Need Helmets
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Mopeds and Other Vehicles
For many states, you still are required by law to wear a helmet even if the vehicle is another type, like a moped. The following states still require helmets for mopeds and other types of motorcycle-like vehicles: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Eye Protection and Other Laws to Know About
- Alaska: Helmets should have reflectors and should not have helmet speakers.
- Arizona: Motorcycle operators should have goggles, glasses or a face shield.
- Connecticut: Motorcycle operators need safety goggles, a helmet shield or a safety shield.
- Delaware: Those under the age of 19 should also have eye protection.
- Florida: Motorcycle operators need eye protection approved by the DMV.
- Georgia: Motorcycle operators need a windshield or eye protection.
- Hawaii: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- Illinois: Motorcycle operators and their passengers need glasses, goggles or a shield.
- Indiana: Motorcycle operators and passengers under the age of 18 need eye protection.
- Kansas: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- Louisiana: Motorcycle operators need a windscreen or protective eye gear.
- Maryland: Motorcycle operators need a windscreen or protective eye gear. Also, this eye gear still requires an angle of vision of at least 105 degrees.
- Massachusetts: Motorcycle operators need a windscreen or protective goggles, the only exceptions being for parades.
- Minnesota: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear.
- Nebraska: Helmets must be secured to the passenger’s or operator’s head with a chin strap.
- Nevada: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- New Hampshire: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- New Jersey: Helmets must be secured to the passenger’s or operator’s head with a chin strap.
- New York: Motorcycle operators need face shield or goggles.
- Ohio: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear.
- Oklahoma: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- Pennsylvania: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear.
- Rhode Island: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear.
- South Carolina: Motorcycle operators need face shield or goggles.
- South Dakota: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear, and they cannot be tinted or shaded.
- Tennessee: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- Vermont: Motorcycle operators need protective eye gear.
- Virginia: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- West Virginia: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
- Wisconsin: Motorcycle operators need safety glasses, face shield, a windscreen or goggles.
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