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Laws regulating motorcycle
helmet usage are set on a state level. Helmet laws are the basis
of quite a bit of controversy. Many people feel that the number
of lives helmets can potentially save merits universal enforcement.
Others believe that what motorcycle riders wear should is a personal
freedom that the government does not have a right to regulate. Regardless
of personal beliefs on the subject, riders must be aware of the
laws in their home states and any states they ride through. As the
debate continues, laws constantly change so this data may not be
100% accurate. This information was collected from an article by
George Blumberg, printed in the June 19, 2005 edition of the Chicago
Tribune. I will try to keep it up to date but the dynamic nature
of the laws makes it difficult. For safety reasons and legal reasons,
it is best to always wear a helmet wherever you go. If you are considering
riding without a helmet, check with local authorities in any state
you will be riding through for the most accurate regulations.
Motorcycle Helmets - JC Whitney
- Alabama - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Alaska - Operators under 18 years old, operators with an
instructional permit and all passengers
are required to wear helmets.
- Arizona - All riders under the age of 18 are required to
wear helmets.
- Arkansas - All riders under the age of 21 are required to wear
helmets.
- California - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Colorado - No helmet law.
- Connecticut - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear
helmets.
- Delaware - All riders under the age of 19 are required to wear
helmets.
- District of Colombia - All riders are required to wear helmets.
- Florida - All riders under the age of 21 must wear a helmet.
Those 21 years of age or older may ride without a helmet if they
show proof of medical insurance.
- Georgia - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Hawaii - All riders under the age of 18 are required to
wear helmets.
- Idaho - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets.
- Illinois - No helmet law.
- Indiana - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear
helmets.
- Iowa - No helmet law.
- Kansas - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets.
- Kentucky - All riders under the age of 21 are required to
wear helmets. All operators with instructional permits must also
wear helmets.
- Louisiana - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Maine - All riders under the age of 15 are required to wear
a helmet. All operators with instructional permits must wear helmets.
If an operator is required to wear a helmet, all his passengers
are required to wear one as well.
- Maryland - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Massachusetts - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Michigan - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Minnesota - All riders under the age of 18 are required
to wear helmets. All operators with instructional permits are
also required to wear helmets.
- Mississippi - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Missouri - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Montana - All riders under the age of 18 are required to
wear helmets.
- Nebraska - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Nevada - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- New Hampshire - No helmet law.
- New Jersey - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- New Mexico - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear
helmets.
- New York - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- North Carolina - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- North Dakota - All riders under the age of 18 are required
to wear helmets. If an operator is required to wear a helmet,
all his passengers are required to wear one as well.
- Ohio - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear
helmets. All operators must wear a helmet for one year after getting
their license. If an operator is required to wear a helmet, all
his passengers are required to wear one as well.
- Oklahoma - All riders under the age of 18 are required to
wear helmets.
- Oregon - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Pennsylvania - All riders under the age of 21 are required
to wear helmets. All operators are required to wear helmets for
the first two years of having their motorcycle license unless
they have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved training
course.
- Rhode Island - All riders under the age of 21 are required
to wear helmets. All operators are required to wear helmets for
the first year of having their motorcycle license. All passengers
are required to wear helmets.
- South Carolina - All riders under the age of 21 are required
to wear helmets.
- South Dakota - All riders under the age of 18 are required
to wear helmets.
- Tennessee - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Texas - All riders under the age of 21 are required to wear
helmets. Riders 21 and older are not required to wear helmets
if they have completed a motorcycle operator training and safety
course or can show proof of medical insurance.
- Utah - All riders under the age of 18 are required to wear
helmets.
- Vermont - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Virginia - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Washington - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- West Virginia - All riders required to wear a helmet.
- Wisconsin - All riders under the age of 18 are required
to wear helmets. Riders with instructional permits much also wear
helmets.
- Wyoming - All riders under the age of 19 are required to wear
helmets.
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