Helmet Laws by State

Alabama requires drivers and passengers to wear protective headgear that is U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant. This includes motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, three-wheeled motorcycles, and mopeds.

The law has very specific requirements for this headgear. These included: the helmet must have a hard exterior shell of non-shatterable material that resists impact and penetration and have a firmly secured shock absorbent cradle for the head that is designed to support the helmet and maintain separation between the head and outer shell. The padding of the helmet must be impact-resistant, absorbent, and of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is in close proximity with or may contact the outer shell. The helmet must be made of durable materials that will not undergo appreciable alteration as the helmet ages. Materials known to cause skin irritation or disease are not to be used.

Additionally, the helmet must have a permanently attached adjustable chin strap that holds it securely in place. The law requires all drivers and passengers to have the chin strap secured while the bike is in motion. The helmet does not need to have a visor, but, if it does, the visor must be flexible or of the snap-on type, and it cannot be more than one-quarter inch above the surface or exterior shell.

Motorcycle drivers 18 years or older aren’t required to wear a helmet in Alaska as long as they have a motorcycle license. However, if they only have their instructional permit, a helmet is required, no matter what age. Helmets are also required for all passengers.

Everyone is required to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen or windshield.

In Arizona, only motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. However, everyone must wear protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield, unless the bike is equipped with a protective windshield. Helmets are not required for moped vehicles, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less, and a maximum speed of 25mph.

Boots/shoes that cover the ankle made of sturdy material that does not interfere with the operation of motorcycle controls are also required.

Arkansas requires motorcycle drivers and passengers under 21 to wear a helmet. However, that does not apply to three-wheel motorcycles equipped with a cab and a windshield which do not exceed twenty horsepower (20hp) when such motorcycles are used by municipal police departments.

All drivers and passengers, no matter what age, must wear protective glasses, goggles or transparent face shields.

All motorcycles must have daytime running lights.

In California, everyone who drives or rides on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle must wear a helmet. All helmets must meet U.S. Department of Transportation and state safety standards and be fastened with the helmet straps. Any motor vehicle operator, including motorcyclists, requires a legible thumb or fingerprint for original or renewal applications.

Colorado only requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets. Helmets must meet or exceed the standards established by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for motorcycle helmets and the chip strap must be worn any time the motorcycle is in motion.

All drivers and passengers are required to wear protective eyewear with lenses made of safety glass or plastic. These eye protection devices are not required if the operator/passenger is wearing a helmet with eye protection.

In Connecticut, all those under 18 are required to wear a helmet to operate or ride on a motorcycle.

Each applicant issued a motorcycle learner’s permit, regardless of age while operating a motorcycle, must wear U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved protective headgear.

In Delaware, everyone under 19 must wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security. Those 19 and older must at least have a helmet and eye protection in their possession when riding.

As of Sept. 1, 2023, riders obtaining a NEW motorcycle endorsement after that date are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet and eye protection for the first two years after receiving this endorsement, regardless of age. Additionally, if the new rider has a passenger during that two year period, that person must also wear a helmet and eye protection, regardless of age.

Florida’s helmet law is a bit complicated. In general, it requires all motorcycle operators and riders to wear helmets. However, if anyone 21 or older is covered by an insurance policy providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle related injuries, the helmet law policy does not apply.

All motorcycle drivers and riders, regardless of age, are required to wear eye protection. Anyone who rides in an enclosed sidecar is not subject to Florida’s helmet or eye protection laws.

Under Georgia law, all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a helmet. Eye protection is also required if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield.

In Hawaii, drivers and passengers under age 18 are required to wear a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap. Everyone is required to wear safety glasses or goggles if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield.

In Idaho, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet equal or better than the standards established for helmets by the Director of Motor Vehicles. However, the helmet requirement does not apply when motorcycles are operated or ridden on private property.

Illinois law does not require motorcycle operators or passengers to wear helmets. It does, however, require drivers and riders to wear eye protection such as glasses or goggles unless their motorcycles are equipped with a shatter-resistant transparent shield.

In Indiana, only drivers and passengers under 18 are required to wear a helmet and protective eyewear or face shields.

Iowa does not have any motorcycle helmet laws. Motorcyclists can decide whether or not to wear protective gear. However, to take the motorcycle skills test, riders must wear:

• Helmet
• Long pants
• Shoes that completely cover feet

In Kansas, only drivers and passengers under 18 are required to wear a helmet and protective eyewear or face shields.

Kentucky law requires all drivers and passengers under 21 to wear a helmet.

Helmets are also required for drivers with a motorcycle permit and those who have held their motorcycle license for less than one year. Additionally, drivers with a permit are not allowed to have any passengers.

Everyone, regardless of age, must wear eye protection.

In Louisiana, all drivers and passengers must wear a helmet that is secured with a chin strap when the bike is in motion.

Maine law requires all passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. Additionally, any drivers with a permit or that have been licensed under one year must also wear helmets. If these drivers have passengers, they must also wear helmets.

In Maryland, all drivers and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Additionally, all drivers must wear eye protection, unless the bike is equipped with a windscreen.

Massachusetts law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets. This also applies to anyone riding in a sidecar.

Additionally, drivers must wear eyeglasses, goggles, or a protective face shield, if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield or screen.

In Michigan, drivers and passengers under 21 are required to wear helmets.

Drivers 21 and over can decide not to wear a helmet if  they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits and have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years, or have passed an approved motorcycle safety course.

Passengers over 21 can decide not wear a helmet if they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance in addition to the insurance that is required of the motorcycle operator.

Under Minnesota law, all drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. In addition, all drivers with a permit, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.

Additionally, those driving under a learner’s permit are not allowed to have passengers or drive on interstates at night.

Minnesota law also requires all drivers to wear eye protection.

Mississippi law requires all drivers and passengers to wear helmets.

Missouri’s Universal Helmet Law was repealed in 2020. Motorcycle drivers under 26 or those with an instructional permit are required to wear a helmet. Drivers over 26 who choose not to wear a helmet will need health insurance coverage. All passengers are required to wear a helmet.

In Montana, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. Helmets meet the standards of the state’s Department of Justice.

Starting January 1, 2024, Nebraska no longer requires riders 21 and older to wear a helmet. The new helmet law requires all riders who forgo a helmet to be certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as having taken the Basic Rider course, or other substantially similar motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

All riders must wear protective eyewear that covers the orbital region of the person’s face, a protective face shield attached to a protective helmet, goggles, or a windshield on the motorcycle or moped that protects the operator’s and passenger’s horizontal line of vision in all operating positions.

All riders and passengers 20 and younger must wear a helmet.

In Nevada, all motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets and protective eyewear when riding.

If the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen, the driver and passenger are not required to wear glasses, goggles, or face shields.

New Hampshire does not have any motorcycle helmet laws. Riders and passengers can choose whether or not to wear protective gear. However, no person less than 18 years of age may drive or ride on a motorcycle unless they have protective headgear with a neck or chin strap.

In New Jersey, all drivers and passengers are required to wear a helmet. The helmet must meet the safety standards set by New Jersey’s Director of Motor Vehicles and be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be ‘reflectorized’ on both sides.

Protective eyewear is also required for all motorcycle drivers.

New Mexico law requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. Only helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 218 are approved for use in New Mexico.

New York law requires all drivers and passengers to wear helmets. Additionally, New York requires all motorcycle drivers to wear goggles or a face shield.

New York was the first state in the Union to require all motorcyclists to wear helmets, going into effect Jan. 1, 1967.

In North Carolina, all motorcycle and moped drivers and passengers must wear helmets with chin straps secured.

Under North Dakota law, all drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets. All passengers on a motorcycle under the age of 18 must wear a helmet, regardless of the age of the driver.

In Ohio, all drivers under 18 and those with a “novice license” must wear a helmet. Ohio issues “novice licenses” to motorcycle operators 18 or older who have never previously been licensed to operate a motorcycle in Ohio or any other state or another jurisdiction recognized by Ohio law.

All passengers under 18 must wear a helmet, as well as passengers riding with drivers holding a “novice” license, regardless of the passenger’s age.

All drivers and passengers must wear safety glasses or other eye protective devices at all times.

Oklahoma law requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets. The helmet must have lining, padding, and chin straps, and not distort the view of the driver.

All drivers, however, must wear goggles or a face shield, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield of sufficient quality, size, and thickness to protect the driver from foreign objects.

All drivers 17 and under are required to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in order to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.

In Oregon, all motorcycle, moped or unenclosed autocycle drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets. Their helmets must have stickers indicating that they meet standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

All riders who want to obtain a motorcycle endorsement and who do not have a valid motorcycle endorsement from another state must complete an approved motorcycle rider education course prior to obtaining an Oregon motorcycle endorsement.

Pennsylvania repealed its mandatory helmet law in 2003. Now, motorcycle drivers over 21 who have either had their license for 2 years or have completed a motorcycle rider safety course are not required by law to wear helmets.

Passengers over 21 are permitted to ride on motorcycles without helmets, unless the driver is required to wear a helmet, in which case the passenger must as well. Passengers riding with a driver who has their learner’s permit are also required to wear a helmet, regardless of the passenger’s age.

All drivers and passengers under 21 are required to wear a helmet, and everyone is required to wear eye protection.

Rhode Island law requires motorcycle drivers under 21 to wear a helmet. Additionally, all new drivers, regardless of age, must wear a helmet for one year after they first receive their motorcycle license.

All drivers must wear eye protection at all times. All motorcycle passengers must wear helmets.

In South Carolina, all motorcycle drivers and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet.  Helmets must be approved by the Department of Public Safety and be equipped with either a neck or chin strap, and be ‘reflectorized’ on both sides. All drivers must wear approved goggles or face shield unless the motorcycle is equipped with a wind screen meeting specifications established by the Department of Public Safety.

South Dakota law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. The helmet must comply with federal regulations. All drivers are required to wear eye protection, unless their motorcycle has a windshield of sufficient height under the statutes.

In Tennessee, drivers and passengers must wear a crash helmet at all times.

If the driver or passenger is 21 or older they can wear any helmet that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. It also must have ventilation airways that exceed one and one half inches in diameter. Tennessee motorcycle laws state that these helmets must have a label that says the helmet complies with the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Southern Impact Research Center, or the Snell Foundation.

Generally, Texas law requires all drivers and passengers to wear a helmet. Helmets must meet the safety standard of the state’s Department of Public Safety.

However, those 21 and over who have successfully completed an approved motorcycle operator training and safety course or are covered by a health insurance plan providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating the motorcycle can drive the bike without wearing a helmet.

In Utah, motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. The helmets must comply with the standards established by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).

Vermont law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear a helmet. The helmet must be approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. State law requires all helmets to be equipped with either a neck or chin strap.

In Virginia, all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets. Helmets must meet or exceed the specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or the Federal Department of Transportation.

Virginia also requires all motorcycle drivers to wear eye protection like a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles, unless the bike is equipped with safety glass or a windshield approved by the Superintendent of the Department of Motor Vehicles or that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of Snell, ANSI, or the federal Department of Transportation.

Washington law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear a helmet. The helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap, which must be fastened securely when the motorcycle is in motion.

All drivers must also wear eye protection like glasses, goggles, or a face shield, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Washington D.C. law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets. Helmets must be approved by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles or must meet The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Specifications for Protective Headgear for Vehicle Users, Standard Z90-.1-1966.

Washington D.C. motorcycle law also requires helmets to have permanent, weather-proof reflectors on each side that cover an area of at least four inches. Helmets must also have either a neck or chin strap. The law further requires that helmets permit unobstructed peripheral vision to 120 degrees on each side. Helmets must also allow for unobstructed hearing.

All motorcycle drivers must also wear goggles or a face shield, unless the bike is equipped with a windscreen, or unless the operator wears eyeglasses with safety glass lenses.

In West Virginia, all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a helmet that is securely fastened by either a neck or chin strap. The helmet must be designed to deflect blows and resist penetration and spread impact forces. The law requires helmets to meet current performance specifications established by federal law, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z 90.1 or Snell Safety Standards (Snell) for Protective Headgear for Vehicle Users.

Additionally, all motorcycle riders and passengers must wear safety, shatter-resistant eyeglasses, eye goggles, or a face shield that complies with ANSI Standard Z2.1.

If a motorcycle is equipped with a windshield or a windscreen, it must comply with the performance specifications established by the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 and ANSI Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles on Land Highways, Standard Z26.1.

Wisconsin law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet with a chin strap. Drivers with an instructional permit are also required to wear a helmet, regardless of age.

All motorcycle drivers must wear a protective face shield, glasses, or goggles, unless the bike is equipped with a windshield that rises to a minimum of 15 inches above the handlebars.

In Wyoming, only motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 are required to wear helmets. Helmets must be securely fastened and comply with the standards established by the state’s Superintendent of the Department of Transportation.