Helmet Laws

June 2009


Motorcycle Helmets

In 1967, the federal government began requiring states to enact universal motorcycle helmet laws to qualify for certain highway safety funds. By 1975, all but three had complied. However, in 1976, Congress revoked federal authority to assess penalties for noncompliance, and states began to weaken helmet laws to apply only to young or novice riders.

Currently, only about half the states require helmets for all motorcyclists. Most other states require helmets for certain riders, and a few have no helmet law. GHSA urges all states to adopt a universal motorcycle helmet law and vigorously enforce existing laws.

  • 47 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a helmet law for motorcyclists.
    • 20 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
    • The remaining 27 states and Guam require helmets for specific riders.
  • 3 states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) do not have a motorcycle helmet law.

Bicycle Helmets

Fewer states have enacted bicycle helmet laws. GHSA only tracks state laws. However, in many states, local law may require helmet use for some or all bicyclists.
  • 21 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have a helmet law for bicyclists.
    • Only the Virgin Islands requires helmets for all bicyclists.
    • The rest require helmets for riders below a certain age, generally about 16.
  • 29 states and Guam have no bicycle helmet law.

State

Motorcyclists

Bicyclists

Universal Helmet Law
(Year Enacted)

Partial Law

Universal Helmet Law Repealed

Alabama

1967

 

  

<16

Alaska

  

<18 and all operators w/ instructional permit

1976

 

Arizona

  

<18

1976

 

Arkansas

  

<21

1997

 

California

1992

 

  

<18

Colorado

  

<18 if they are operating or riding with another operator under 18

1977

 

Connecticut

  

<18

1976

<16

Delaware

  

<19

1978

<18

D.C.

1970

 

  

<16

Florida

  

<21
>21 with <$10,000 in medical insurance

2000

<16

Georgia

1969

 

  

<16

Guam

  

<18

  

 

Hawaii

  

<18

1977

<16

Idaho

  

<18

1978

 

Illinois

  

 

1970

 

Indiana

  

<18

1977

 

Iowa

  

 

1976

 

Kansas

  

<18

1976

 

Kentucky

  

<21 or anyone who has had their license for <1 year

1998

 

Louisiana

2004

 

  

<12

Maine

  

Passengers <15 and anyone within 1 year of obtaining a motorcycle license

1977

<16
(For a 2nd or subsequent violation, a $25 fine may be given.)

Maryland

1992

 

  

<16

Massachusetts

1967

 

  

>1 and <17 (riding with children <1 prohibited)

Michigan

1969

 

  

 

Minnesota

  

<18 and all operators with an instruction permit, no matter what age

1977

 

Mississippi

1974

 

  

 

Missouri

1967

 

  

 

Montana

  

<18

1977

 

Nebraska

1989

 

  

 

Nevada

1972

 

  

 

New Hampshire

  

 

  

<16

New Jersey

1968

 

  

<17

New Mexico

  

<18

1977

<18

New York

1967

 

  

>1 and <14 (riding with children <1 prohibited)

North Carolina

1968

 

  

<16

North Dakota

  

<18

1977

 

Northern Mariana Islands

Yes    

<18

Ohio

   <18 or anyone within 1 year of obtaining a motorcycle license; passengers, if the operator is required to wear a helmet

1978

 

Oklahoma

  

<18

1976

 

Oregon

1988

 

  

<16

Pennsylvania

  

<21 or all operators within two years of licensure, unless they have completed a safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2003

<12

Puerto Rico

 Yes

 

 

 

Rhode Island

  

< 21 or any new operator within one year after license issued; all passengers

1976

<16

South Carolina

  

<21

1980

 

South Dakota

  

<18

1977

 

Tennessee

1967

 

  

<16

Texas

  

<21

1997

 

Utah

  

<18

1977

 

Vermont

1968

 

  

 

Virgin Islands

Yes

 

  

All

Virginia

1970

 

  

 

Washington

1990

 

  

 

West Virginia

1971

 

  

<15

Wisconsin

  

<18 and all operators w/ instructional permit

1978

 

Wyoming

  

<18

1983

 

Totals

 47 + D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands 29 states had a universal helmet law repealed

21 + D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands

Age (# of States)
All (Virgin Islands)
<18 (3 + Northern Mariana Islands)
<17 (2)
<16 (12 + D.C.)
<15 (1)
<14 (1)
<12 (2)
20 + D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

27 + Guam

Age (# of States)
<21 (7)
<19 (1)
<18 (19)
Passengers <15 (1)

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.