Current US Motorcycle Helmet laws
as of April 2007
  • 20 states and the District of Columbia have a universal law requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
  • 26 states have a law requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
  • 4 states do not have a motorcycle helmet use law.
  • 21 states and the District of Columbia have a law requiring some bicyclists to wear a helmet.
  • 29 states do not have a bicyclist helmet use law.
 
State Motorcycle helmets
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)
Alabama X
Alaska   17 and younger1
Arizona   17 and younger
Arkansas   20 and younger
California X  
Colorado no motorcycle helmet use law
Connecticut   17 and younger
Delaware   18 and younger
District of Columbia X  
Florida   20 and younger2
Georgia X  
1Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits.

2In Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 yrs. wear helmets, without exception. Also in Florida, those 21 yrs. and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy.


State Motorcycle helmets  
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)
Hawaii   17 and younger
Idaho   17 and younger
Illinois no motorcycle helmet use law
Indiana   17 and younger
Iowa no motorcycle helmet use law
Kansas   17 and younger
Kentucky   20 and younger2,3
Louisiana X  
Maine   14 and younger3
Maryland X  

State Motorcycle helmets  
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)
Massachusetts X  
Michigan X  
Minnesota   17 and younger3
Mississippi X  
Missouri X  
Montana   17 and younger
Nebraska X  
Nevada X  
New Hampshire no motorcycle helmet use law
New Jersey X  

State Motorcycle helmets  
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)
New Mexico   17 and younger
New York X  
North Carolina X  
North Dakota   17 and younger4
Ohio   17 and younger5
Oklahoma   17 and younger
Oregon X  
Pennsylvania   20 and younger6
Rhode Island   20 and younger6
South Carolina   20 and younger

State Motorcycle helmets  
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)
South Dakota   17 and younger
Tennessee X  
Texas   20 and younger2
Utah   17 and younger
Vermont X  
Virginia X  
Washington X  
West Virginia X  
Wisconsin   17 and younger3
Wyoming   18 and younger

2In Florida and Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 yrs. wear helmets, without exception. In Florida, those 21 yrs. and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Texas exempts riders 21 yrs. or older if they either 1) can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or 2) can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.

3Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Maine's motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 14 years and younger and passengers if their operators are required to wear a helmet.

4North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law.

5Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law.

6Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators during the first year of licensure (regardless of age). Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensure unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Last Updated 5/28/2007