Motorcycle Helmet Laws in the United States

Motorcycle helmet laws in the United States don’t exist just to have more laws on the books — wearing a motorcycle helmet can save your life, no matter how short the ride. But since helmet laws vary from state to state, you must know the rules, especially if traveling.

Always check the local laws before hitting the road to avoid fines or penalties and consider pairing your helmet with a motorcycle helmet mount for added functionality. Laws can change over time, so we’re sharing the most up-to-date information on motorcycle helmet laws in the United States.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State

All motorcycle helmet laws are at the discretion of each state and subject to change, so always check if you travel to any of these states.

Here’s a quick guide to the current helmet laws for each state.

 

Types of Motorcycle Helmet Laws in the United States

Helmet laws in the U.S. fall into three categories:

• Universal helmet laws: Enforced in 18 states and Washington, D.C., requiring all riders and passengers to wear helmets.

• Partial helmet laws: Apply in 29 states, requiring helmets only for specific riders, such as those under 18 or 21.

• No helmet laws: As of December 2024, only Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire have no helmet requirements.

Helmet Safety Certification

In the U.S., helmets must be certified by the Department of Transportation, or DOT certification, for basic safety. However, Snell certifications offer consumers superior protection through more rigorous testing. 

Snell certification means the U.S.-based Snell Foundation has tested and approved the helmet. According to the foundation, “Snell certification is the best indication that the helmet meets the highest helmet standard in the world and offers the best head impact protection currently available.” The organization further explains: “Governments set minimum standards for motorcycle helmets. Snell standards offer riders better head protection over and beyond all the protection the governments demand.”

The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) sets standards for motorcycle helmet safety in Europe, where helmets are labeled to show they have been certified. 

Investing in a Snell or ECE-certified helmet is recommended for enhanced safety.

Is It Illegal to Have a Camera on a Motorcycle Helmet?

In the United States, federal regulations do not prohibit mounting a camera on a motorcycle helmet. That said, helmet laws vary by state; some require motorcyclists to wear DOT-compliant helmets. 

For example, in North Carolina, you can attach a camera like a GoPro using a GoPro racing helmet mount or pair it with a dirt bike camera mount if you’re going off-road, as long as it meets DOT standards. 

To stay safe, ensure your camera and mount don’t obstruct your vision or interfere with your driving ability, stick to non-invasive mounts like adhesive ones, and avoid drilling into your helmet. Also, keep in mind that there are different angles and mounting options for helmet mounts vs. chest mounts. 

Always double-check federal rules and your state’s laws to ensure you’re riding safely and legally. 

Detailed Helmet Laws State by State 

Let’s take a closer look at each state’s helmet laws, including specific requirements, age restrictions, and the types of helmets permitted. Whether planning a ride within your state or crossing borders, understanding these rules will help you stay safe compliant, and avoid unexpected penalties on the road.

Alabama Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Alabama, drivers and passengers must wear helmets that comply with USDOT standards. This applies to motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, three-wheeled motorcycles, and mopeds.

The law specifies that helmets must have a hard outer shell made of non-shatterable material that resists impact and penetration. Inside, a shock-absorbent cradle must separate the head and the outer shell. The padding must be impact-resistant, absorbent, and thick enough to protect all areas near the outer shell. Helmets should be made of durable materials that do not degrade significantly over time and must not contain materials that cause skin irritation or disease.

Additionally, helmets must have a permanently attached, adjustable chin strap that keeps the helmet securely in place while riding. Although a visor is not mandatory, any visor present must be flexible or snap-on and no more than a quarter-inch above the helmet's surface.

Arizona Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Arizona, motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 are required to wear helmets. Regardless of age, all riders must wear protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield unless the motorcycle has a protective windshield. Helmets are not mandatory for moped riders, as the state defines mopeds as having an engine displacement of 50cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less, and a maximum speed of 25 mph.

Additionally, riders must wear boots or shoes that cover the ankle and are made of sturdy material that does not interfere with motorcycle controls.

Arkansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Arkansas, motorcycle helmet laws mandate that drivers and passengers under 21 wear protective headgear. However, this requirement does not extend to three-wheeled motorcycles equipped with a cab and windshield, provided they do not exceed 20 horsepower and are used by municipal police departments. Regardless of age, all motorcycle riders and passengers in Arkansas must wear protective eyewear, which can be in the form of glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield.

Additionally, Arkansas law stipulates that all motorcycles must be equipped with daytime running lights to enhance visibility and safety on the road.

California Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Everyone in California who drives or rides on a motor, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle must wear a helmet. All helmets must meet USDOT and state safety standards and be fastened with the helmet straps. Any motor vehicle operator, including motorcyclists, requires a legible thumb or fingerprint for original or renewal applications.

Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Colorado, motorcycle helmet laws apply to riders and passengers under 18. These individuals must wear helmets that meet or exceed the standards set by the USDOT for motorcycle helmets. The chin strap must be fastened whenever the motorcycle is moving.

The state also mandates that all motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age, wear protective eyewear. This eyewear must have lenses made of either safety glass or plastic. However, riders or passengers who wear helmets with built-in eye protection are exempt from this separate eyewear requirement.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, motorcycle helmet laws mandate that all riders and passengers under 18 wear protective headgear while operating or riding a motorcycle.

Additionally, the law extends to individuals of any age who have been issued a motorcycle learner's permit. While operating a motorcycle, these permit holders must wear helmets that meet the safety standards set by either the USDOT or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Delaware Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Delaware, individuals under 19 must wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security while riding. Those 19 and older must also wear a helmet and eye protection while riding. As of September 1, 2023, new motorcycle endorsement holders must wear a helmet and eye protection for the first two years, regardless of age. Passengers must also wear a helmet and eye protection during this period.

Florida Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Florida mandates that all motorcycle operators and riders wear helmets. However, individuals 21 and older with an insurance policy providing at least $10,000 medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries are exempt. All riders, regardless of age, must wear eye protection. Those in enclosed sidecars are not subject to helmet or eye protection laws.

Georgia Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Georgia law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets. Eye protection is also mandatory if the motorcycle lacks a windshield.

Hawaii Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Hawaii, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a safety helmet and chin strap. If the motorcycle does not have a windshield, all riders must wear safety glasses or goggles.

Idaho Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Idaho, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets that meet or exceed the Director of Motor Vehicles standards. This requirement does not apply to motorcycles operated or ridden on private property.

Illinois Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Illinois does not mandate helmets for motorcycle operators or passengers. However, drivers and riders must wear eye protection such as glasses or goggles unless their motorcycles have a shatter-resistant transparent shield.

Indiana Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Only drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets and protective eyewear or face shields in Indiana.

Iowa Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Iowa does not have any motorcycle helmet laws. Riders can choose whether or not to wear protective gear. However, to take the motorcycle skills test, riders must wear a helmet, long pants, and shoes that completely cover their feet.

Kansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Kansas, motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets and protective eyewear or face shields.

Kentucky Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Kentucky law requires all drivers and passengers under 21 to wear helmets. Helmets are also required for drivers with a motorcycle permit and those with a motorcycle license for less than one year. Permit holders are not allowed to have passengers. All riders must wear eye protection regardless of age.

Louisiana Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Louisiana, all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets secured with a chin strap when the motorcycle is in motion.

Maine Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Maine law requires all passengers under 18 to wear helmets. Additionally, drivers with a permit or those licensed for less than one year must wear helmets. If these drivers have passengers, the passengers must also wear helmets.

Maryland Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Maryland, all drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets. Additionally, all drivers must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.

Massachusetts Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Massachusetts law mandates that all motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets, including those in sidecars. If the motorcycle lacks a windshield or screen, drivers must wear eyeglasses, goggles, or a protective face shield.

Michigan Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Michigan, drivers and passengers under 21 must wear helmets. Drivers 21 and over can opt not to wear a helmet if they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits, have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years, or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course. Passengers over 21 can also forgo a helmet if they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance and the operator's insurance.

Minnesota Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Minnesota law requires all drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets. All drivers with a permit, regardless of age, must wear helmets. Permit holders are prohibited from having passengers or driving on interstates at night. Additionally, all drivers must wear eye protection.

Mississippi Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Mississippi law mandates that all drivers and passengers wear helmets.

Missouri Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Missouri's universal helmet law was repealed in 2020. Drivers under 26 or those with an instructional permit must wear helmets. Drivers over 26 who choose not to wear a helmet must have health insurance coverage. All passengers are required to wear helmets.

Montana Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Montana, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets that meet the state's Department of Justice standards.

Nebraska Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Starting January 1, 2024, Nebraska no longer requires riders 21 and older to wear helmets. Riders who forgo helmets must be certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as having taken the Basic Rider course or a similar course approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. All riders must wear protective eyewear covering the face's orbital region. Riders and passengers 20 and younger must wear helmets.

Nevada Motorcycle Helmet Laws

All motorcycle drivers and passengers in Nevada must wear helmets and protective eyewear. The eyewear requirement is waived if the motorcycle has a windscreen.

New Hampshire Motorcycle Helmet Laws

New Hampshire does not have any motorcycle helmet laws. Riders and passengers can choose whether or not to wear protective gear. However, individuals under 18 must wear protective headgear with a neck or chin strap.

New Jersey Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In New Jersey, all drivers and passengers must wear helmets that meet safety standards set by the Director of Motor Vehicles. Helmets must have a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides. Protective eyewear is also required for all motorcycle drivers.

New Mexico Motorcycle Helmet Laws

New Mexico law requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets. Only helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 218 are approved for use in New Mexico.

New York Motorcycle Helmet Laws

New York law mandates that all drivers and passengers wear helmets. Additionally, all motorcycle drivers must wear goggles or a face shield. New York was the first state to require all motorcyclists to wear helmets, effective January 1, 1967.

North Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In North Carolina, all motorcycle and moped drivers and passengers must wear helmets with chin straps secured.

North Dakota Motorcycle Helmet Laws

North Dakota law requires all drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets. Passengers under 18 must wear helmets regardless of the driver's age.

Ohio Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Ohio, drivers under 18 and those with a "novice license" must wear helmets. A "novice license" is issued to operators 18 or older who have never been licensed to operate a motorcycle in Ohio or any other jurisdiction recognized by Ohio law. All passengers under 18 and passengers riding with novice license holders must wear helmets. All drivers and passengers must always wear safety glasses or other eye protection.

Oklahoma Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Oklahoma law mandates that drivers and passengers under 18 wear helmets. Helmets must have lining, padding, and chin straps and not distort the driver's view. All drivers must wear goggles or a face shield unless the motorcycle has a windshield of sufficient quality, size, and thickness to protect the driver from foreign objects. Drivers 17 and under must take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.

Oregon Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Oregon, all motorcycle, moped, or unenclosed autocycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets with stickers indicating compliance with USDOT standards. Riders seeking a motorcycle endorsement without a valid endorsement from another state must complete an approved motorcycle rider education course.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Pennsylvania repealed its mandatory helmet law in 2003. Drivers over 21 who have held their license for two years or completed a motorcycle rider safety course are not required to wear helmets. Passengers over 21 can ride without helmets unless the driver is required to wear one. Passengers riding with a driver holding a learner's permit must wear helmets, regardless of age. All drivers and passengers under 21 must wear helmets, and everyone must wear eye protection.

Rhode Island Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Rhode Island law requires drivers under 21 to wear helmets. All new drivers, regardless of age, must wear helmets for one year after receiving their motorcycle license. All drivers must wear eye protection at all times, and all motorcycle passengers must wear helmets.

South Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In South Carolina, drivers and passengers under 21 must wear helmets approved by the Department of Public Safety. Helmets must have a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides. All drivers must wear approved goggles or a face shield unless the motorcycle has a windscreen meeting Department of Public Safety specifications.

South Dakota Motorcycle Helmet Laws

South Dakota law requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets that comply with federal regulations. All drivers must also wear eye protection unless the motorcycle's windshield is of sufficient height.

Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Tennessee, all drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets. Drivers and passengers 21 and older can wear any helmet that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards and has ventilation airways exceeding 1.5 inches in diameter. Helmets must have a label indicating compliance with the American Society for Testing Materials, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Southern Impact Research Center, or the Snell Foundation.

Texas Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Texas law generally requires all drivers and passengers to wear helmets. Helmets must meet the safety standards of the Department of Public Safety. However, individuals 21 and older who have completed an approved motorcycle operator training and safety course or have health insurance providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries can ride without a helmet.

Utah Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Utah, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear helmets that comply with USDOT standards.

Vermont Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Vermont law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner. Helmets must have a neck or chin strap.

Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Virginia, all drivers and passengers must wear helmets that meet or exceed the specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, or the USDOT. Drivers must also wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has safety glass or a windshield approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles Superintendent or meets the standards of Snell, ANSI, or USDOT.

Washington Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Washington law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets equipped with a neck or chin strap, which must be fastened securely when the motorcycle is in motion. Drivers must also wear eye protection unless the bike has a windshield.

Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Washington, D.C. law mandates that all motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets approved by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles or meeting the ANSI Specifications for Protective Headgear for Vehicle Users, Standard Z90.1-1966. Helmets must have permanent, weather-proof reflectors covering at least four inches on each side. Helmets must also have a neck or chin strap and permit unobstructed peripheral vision to 120 degrees on each side and unobstructed hearing. All drivers must wear goggles or a face shield unless the motorcycle has a windscreen or the operator wears eyeglasses with safety glass lenses.

West Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In West Virginia, all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets securely fastened by a neck or chin strap. Helmets must be designed to deflect blows, resist penetration, and spread impact forces. They must meet current performance specifications established by federal law, the ANSI Standard Z 90.1, or Snell Safety Standards for Protective Headgear for Vehicle Users. Additionally, all riders and passengers must wear safety, shatter-resistant eyeglasses, eye goggles, or a face shield that complies with ANSI Standard Z2.1. Suppose the motorcycle has a windshield or windscreen. In that case, it must meet the performance specifications of USDOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 and ANSI Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles on Land Highways, Standard Z26.1.

Wisconsin Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Wisconsin law requires drivers and passengers under 18 to wear helmets with a chin strap. Drivers with an instructional permit must also wear helmets, regardless of age. All drivers must wear a protective face shield, glasses, or goggles unless the motorcycle’s windshield rises at least 15 inches above the handlebars.

Wyoming Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Wyoming, drivers and passengers under 18 must wear securely fastened helmets and comply with the standards set by the state's Superintendent of the Department of Transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you mount a GoPro on your motorcycle helmet? 

Yes, you can mount a GoPro on your motorcycle helmet, either on the top, side, or chin guard. However, each state has its rules about mounting cameras to helmets, so be sure to check to avoid fines or penalties.

Which U.S. states do not require motorcycle helmets?

Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire do not require motorcycle helmets for any riders.

Is a helmet mandatory for a motorcycle in the USA?

A helmet in the USA is not universally mandatory for motorcyclists, as laws vary by state.

When did motorcycle helmets become law in the USA?

New York was the first state to require motorcycle helmets in 1967, but implementation across other states varied over time, with some states not requiring them.

Is it illegal to ride a bike without a helmet in the USA?

It is not illegal to ride a bicycle without a helmet in most of the USA, as bicycle helmet laws typically only apply to minors and vary by state or local jurisdiction.