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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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