Motorcyclists
In 1967, the federal government required states to enact universal motorcycle helmet laws to qualify for certain highway safety funds. By 1975, all but three had complied. 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, 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, D.C., Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a helmet law for motorcyclists.
- 18 states, D.C., the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
- 29 states and Guam require helmets for specific riders.
- Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire are the only states that do not have motorcycle helmet laws.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on helmet laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1983.
Helmets required for riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Universal helmet law enacted 1971.
Universal helmet law enacted 1990.
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
Universal helmet law.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
Helmets required for all riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 as well as those who have not completed a safety course or have no medical insurance (secondarily enforced). Universal helmet law repealed 1997.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1980.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year; helmets required for all passengers. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Universal helmet law.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed for less than 2 years, except those who complete a PennDOT- or Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved safety course. Universal helmet law repealed 2003.
Universal helmet law enacted 1988.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for riders under 18 or who have been licensed for less than one year as well as for all passengers when the operator is required to wear a helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Universal helmet law.
Helmets required for all riders under 18 and all passengers if operator is under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
No helmet laws.
Universal helmet law enacted 1972.
Universal helmet law enacted 1989.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Motorcyclists may ride without helmets if they are 26 yrs or older and have medical insurance.
Universal helmet law enacted 1974.
Helmets required for all riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or for riders and passengers without additional insurance. Universal helmet law repealed 2012.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Universal helmet law enacted 1992.
Helmets required for operators on permit or within 1 year of having obtained license as well as for all passengers and operators under 18. Passengers always have to wear a helmet when the operator is required to. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 2004.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year. Universal helmet law repealed 1998.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1970.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18 and drivers licensed for fewer than 3 years.
Universal helmet law enacted 1969.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or those with less than $10,000 in medical coverage for motorcycle-related injuries. Universal helmet law repealed in 2000.
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
Helmets required for all riders under 19 and (effective 7/30/2023) all riders for two years after receiving a motorcycle endorsement. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1992.
Helmets required for riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1997.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmet required for riders under 18 or with instructional permit; all passengers must wear helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967
Study: Older Riders Make Up Largest Share Of Motorcycle Deaths
GHSA's latest report on motorcyclist fatality trends found that the average age of motorcyclists killed is now over 40 years old. Report author Tara Casanova Powell discusses what may be contributing to this change.
Weather may be reason for national drop in motorcycle deaths, safety group says
New Data Finds Motorcyclist Fatalities Down 5.6% in 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2018
CONTACT: Kara Macek, kmacek@ghsa.org
202-789-0942 x140
202-262-4889 (mobile)
Motorcyclist Fatalities by State: 2017 Preliminary Data
GHSA's latest spotlight report, Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2017 Preliminary Data, projects a 5.6% decrease in motorcyclist fatalities in 2017. Despite this decline, the report finds that motorcyclists remain significantly overrepresented as a proportion of all traffic deaths.
Countermeasures That Work, 10th Edition
Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices is a basic reference to assist State Highway Safety Offices in selecting effective, evidence-based countermeasures.
Motorcyclist Safety
Motorcyclists are overrepresented in crashes and fatalities.In 2020 there were 5,579 motorcyclists killed, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. This is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since FARS started in 1975.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: Wyoming
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1983.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: Wisconsin
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: West Virginia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1971.