What States Require Motorcycle Helmets?

You may be required to wear a motorcycle helmet when operating a motorcycle in certain states. Learn about state motorcycle helmet laws and whether or not you’ll need to wear a helmet.

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Introduction

Some states in the US have what are called “universal motorcycle helmet laws.” These laws require all riders (including passengers) to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle on public roads. Other states have more limited laws that only require certain riders to wear helmets. And still other states have no helmet laws at all.

So, which states require motorcycle helmets? As of 2019, the states with universal helmet laws are California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia.

The states with limited helmet laws are Alaska (requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Arizona (requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Arkansas (requires riders under 21 to wear a helmet), Colorado (requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Connecticut (requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Georgia (requires riders under 21 to wear a helmet), Idaho (requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Indiana ( requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Iowa ( requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet), Kansas ( requires riders under 18 to wearing a vision-obscuring face shield or DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet ), Maine ( requires passengers of all ages and operators under 18 years of age must &nbps;wear approved helmets ), Minnesota ( requires all operators and passengers must &nbps;wear DOT-compliant helmets ), Montana( requires all operators and passengers must &nbps;wear DOT-compliant helmets ), Nevada( requires all operators and passengers must &nbps;wear DOT-compliant helmets ), New Hampshire( only applies if operator does not have health insurance coverage for injuries resulting from motorcycle operation ), New Mexico( only applies if operator does not have health insurance coverage for injuries resulting from motorcycle operation ), North Dakota( all vehicle occupants must  use protective headgear meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 if manufacturer designed vehicle without windshield or other means of protecting occupants’ heads ), Oklahoma( requires persons 21 years of age or younger who operate or ride upon motorcycles must wear protective headgear at all times ), South Carolina( allows persons 21 years old or younger the option of completing an approved motorcycle safety course OR fulfilling one of the following two conditions before being allowed by law to operate a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear: i. be covered by an adequate health insurance plan OR ii. possess $10,000 in medical payment coverage as an addition to any automobile liability policy covering the person ); South Dakota( allows persons 21 years old or younger the option of completing an approved motorcycle safety course OR fulfilling one of the following two conditions before being allowed by law to operate a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear: i. be covered by an adequate health insurance plan OR ii. possess $10–$25 in medical payment coverage as an addition ). Utah( allows persons 21 years old or older the option of completing an approved motorcycle safety course before being allowed by law to operate a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear ). Vermont( allows persons 21 years old or older the option of completing an approved motorcycle safety course before being allowed by law to operate a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear ). Washington( only applies if operator does not have medical insurance coverage for injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents ). West Virginia( allows persons 21 years old or younger the option of completing an approved rider education program OR acquiring two years riding experience before being allowed by law to operatea motorbike without wearing protective headgear). Wyoming has no specific statutes regarding motorcycles or bicycle riding helmets. Michigan has rescinded its mandatory adult rider Helmet Law effective April 13th 2012 .

So there you have it! Those are the US states that have some kind of law requiring motorcycles helmets as of 2019. It’s worth noting that these laws are subject to change at any time, so it’s always best to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles or police department for the most up-to-date information regarding your state’s current requirements.

What states require motorcycle helmets?

As of 2020, 19 states and Washington, D.C., require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, no matter their age. 28 states have what are called “universal” helmet laws, meaning that all riders are required to wear helmets. And, finally, 3 states have no motorcycle helmet law whatsoever.

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the motorcycle helmet laws in the United States as of 2020:

Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky Louisiana, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Why do some states require motorcycle helmets?

There are many different opinions on whether or not motorcycle helmets should be mandatory, but there are a few states in the US that have made it law. So why do some states require motorcycle helmets?

There are a few different reasons for this. First of all, motorcycle helmets have been proven to be effective in preventing serious injuries and even death in the event of an accident. In fact, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of death by up to 37%.

Another reason for mandating motorcycle helmets is that they can help to reduce the cost of medical care after an accident. Medical bills related to motorcycle accidents can be very expensive, and if a rider is not wearing a helmet, they are more likely to sustain more serious injuries that will require expensive medical treatment.

Finally, requiring motorcycle helmets can help to encourage riders to be more safety-conscious while on the road. If riders know that they are required by law to wear a helmet, they may be more likely to take other safety precautions as well, such as obeying speed limits and wearing other protective gear.

So far, 19 states and Washington D.C. have laws in place that require all riders to wear helmets while operating a motorcycle. These states are: Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.

The pros of wearing a motorcycle helmet

There are many pros to wearing a motorcycle helmet, even if it is not required by law in your state. Wearing a helmet can help protect you from serious injury or death in the event of an accident, and can also help keep you comfortable and protected from the elements while you’re riding. If you’re involved in a crash while wearing a helmet, you’re also less likely to be thrown from your motorcycle, which can help prevent further injuries.

The cons of wearing a motorcycle helmet

There are some cons to wearing a motorcycle helmet, even though it is required by law in some states. Wearing a motorcycle helmet can be hot and uncomfortable, especially in the summer. It can also be difficult to hear and see while wearing a helmet.

How effective are motorcycle helmets?

How effective are motorcycle helmets? Do they really save lives?

The answer, according to a growing body of scientific evidence, is a resounding yes. A properly fitted motorcycle helmet can reduce the risk of dying in a crash by as much as 37 percent, and the risk of sustaining a serious brain injury by as much as 67 percent.

Despite these clear benefits, however, only 19 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws requiring all riders to wear helmets. 28 states have partial laws that require only some riders to wear helmets, while the remaining three states have no helmet laws at all.

So why isn’t everyone wearing a motorcycle helmet? In many cases, it’s simply a matter of personal choice. But in other cases, it may be because riders are unaware of the risks or misunderstand the benefits.

Wearing a helmet does not mean that you will never be injured in a crash. But it does increase your chances of walking away from a crash alive, and with fewer injuries. And that’s something that everyone can support.

Are there any exceptions to motorcycle helmet laws?

There are two main types of motorcycle helmet laws in the United States: universal laws and partial laws. Universal laws require all riders to wear helmets, while partial laws only require some riders to do so.

As of 2019, 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, have universal motorcycle helmet laws. These states are: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Oregon.

The other 31 states have partial laws that generally only require riders under a certain age to wear helmets. For example

What are the penalties for not wearing a motorcycle helmet?

There is no federal law mandating motorcycle helmets, but every state except three have laws requiring their use. Penalties for not wearing a helmet vary from state to state, but most states impose fines and may require the rider to complete a safety course. Some states also require that riders under a certain age wear helmets.

What do motorcycle riders think about helmet laws?

In the United States, motorcycle helmet use has been estimated to be associated with a 67% decrease in odds of death and an 85% decrease in odds of head injury. However, not all states have laws in place that require all riders to wear helmets. In fact, as of 2016, 19 states and the District of Columbia had universal helmet laws in place that required all riders to wear helmets while riding. The remaining 31 states had partial laws that only required some riders to wear helmets.

How do motorcycle riders feel about these laws? A survey conducted in 2012 found that 68% of motorcycle riders surveyed believed that all riders should be required to wear helmets, regardless of state law. In contrast, only 8% of surveyed riders believed that there should be no helmet law at all. It’s clear that the majority of riders support helmet usage, even if they don’t always comply with the law themselves.

There are a number of arguments both for and against mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. Those who support such laws argue that they save lives and help to prevent serious injuries. Those who oppose them argue that they infringe on personal freedom and do not necessarily result in increased safety for riders. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to wear a helmet while riding is up to the individual rider.

Conclusion

As of 2020, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have laws requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, and 28 states have laws requiring only some riders to wear helmets. Three states have no helmet laws at all. Wearing a helmet can greatly reduce your risk of sustaining a serious or fatal injury if you are involved in a motorcycle accident.