Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State: Which Don’t Require? (2025)

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What are motorcycle helmet laws by state? Quick Answer

  • Motorcycle helmet laws differ by state, with some requiring universal use and others limiting requirements to younger riders or specific situations. Only three states have no helmet laws at all. Whether you wear a helmet can also affect your legal claims in an accident.

Summary

  • Helmet laws vary widely by state, with different age and rider requirements
  • Only 17 states and DC require universal helmet use
  • Helmet use impacts accident claims, especially in contributory negligence states

Unlike vehicle occupants in car accidents, motorcyclists have no passenger compartment to protect them in a crash. Operators and passengers reduce their risk of head injury in motorcycle accidents by up to 69% when they wear helmets. As a result, helmeted riders are less likely to suffer death or incapacitating injuries.

Motorcycle crashes are among the most dangerous types of accidents, with riders facing significantly higher risks of serious injury or death compared to car occupants. Despite these dangers, helmet laws have sparked debates about individual freedom versus public safety. Understanding these laws can help motorcyclists ride responsibly and navigate their legal rights more effectively.

However, states question whether the government can require riders to wear helmets or if the risks and responsibilities of helmetless riding should fall on motorcyclists. This philosophy has won over legislatures in most states. As a result, motorcyclists will find wide variation in motorcycle helmet laws by state.

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Origin of Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In 1966, Congress passed the Highway Safety Act (HSA) to address highway road deaths. The law required states to pass numerous safety laws, including motorcycle helmet laws. States that did not enact the laws would lose federal highway funding.

By 1975, 47 states and the District of Columbia had passed helmet laws. However, mandatory helmet laws were unpopular with motorcyclists, and the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) played a significant role in repealing these laws.

Motorcyclists took the matter to court, arguing that helmets were a personal choice that the government should not regulate. This argument was unsuccessful, as courts concluded that these safety matters fell under appropriate state policing power.

After some pressure, Congress removed the highway funding incentive in 1976. States persuaded by the personal choice arguments started repealing their helmet laws. By 1980, only 19 states and the District of Columbia had helmet laws.

States with Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle helmets reduce motorcycle deaths, and helmet laws play a role. When Texas repealed its universal helmet law, helmet use dropped 30%, while fatalities jumped by 21%.

However, state helmet laws still vary in scope. Here is an overview of current state helmet laws.

Which States Can You Ride a Motorcycle Without a Helmet?

Only three states allow helmetless riders. Police cannot cite operators or passengers in the following states for riding without a helmet:

  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • New Hampshire

Illinois and Iowa had universal helmet laws but repealed them in 1970 and 1976. New Hampshire, following its state motto of “live free or die,” has never had a motorcycle helmet law.

Which States Have Limited Motorcycle Helmet Laws?

A limited motorcycle helmet law restricts the requirement to an age group or circumstances. For example, a state may require helmet usage by all passengers and riders under 18.

The states that place an age requirement include:

State
Age Requirement
State
Age Requirement
Alaska
17 years of age and younger
Missouri
25 years of age and younger
Arizona
17 years of age and younger
Montana
17 years of age and younger
Arkansas
20 years of age and younger
Nebraska
20 years of age and younger
Colorado
17 years of age and younger, including passengers
New Mexico
17 years of age and younger
Connecticut
18 years of age and younger
North Dakota
17 years of age and younger
Delaware
17 years of age and younger, including passengers
Ohio
17 years of age and younger
Florida
20 years of age and younger
Oklahoma
17 years of age and younger
Hawaii
17 years of age and younger
Pennsylvania
20 years of age and younger
Idaho
17 years of age and younger
Rhode Island
20 years of age and younger
Indiana
17 years of age and younger
South Carolina
20 years of age and younger
Kansas
17 years of age and younger
South Dakota
17 years of age and younger
Kentucky
20 years of age and younger
Texas
20 years of age and younger
Maine
17 years of age and younger
Utah
20 years of age and younger
Michigan
20 years of age and younger
Wisconsin
17 years of age and younger
Minnesota
17 years of age and younger
Wyoming
17 years of age and younger

While these states may have reached a fair compromise between safety and freedom, these laws are often unenforceable. Officers cannot determine a rider's age from afar, so they may choose to save their time pulling over helmetless riders.

It's worth noting that helmet requirements may differ for passengers. In many states, young riders and passengers are held to the same standards, but passengers may face additional restrictions if the operator is a novice or unlicensed. Riders should check their state-specific rules to ensure compliance for themselves and anyone riding with them.

Other limited helmet laws do not depend on age. These include:

State
Helmet Requirement
Alaska
All riders with instructional permits and their passengers must wear helmets, regardless of age
Delaware
Novice riders and their passengers must wear helmets for the first two years of the rider’s endorsement, regardless of age
Florida
Riders must carry over $10,000 in medical coverage for motorcycle-related injuries before riding helmetless
Kentucky
Riders licensed for less than one year must wear a helmet
Maine
Riders must wear helmets if they carry an instructional permit or have been licensed for less than one year Passengers must wear helmets if the rider requires them
Michigan
Riders and passengers without additional insurance must wear helmets, regardless of age
Missouri
Riders without medical insurance must wear a helmet
Ohio
Riders licensed for less than one year must wear a helmet, as well as their passengers
Pennsylvania
Riders licensed for under two years must wear a helmet unless they complete a PennDOT or Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved safety course
Rhode Island
Riders licensed for less than one year must wear helmets, as must their passengers
Texas
Riders without a safety course certification or medical insurance must wear helmets
Wisconsin
Riders with instructional permits must wear helmets, regardless of age

Other states limit their helmet laws by vehicle type. They include:

State
Helmet Requirement
Arizona
Helmets are not required for mopeds with 50cc or lower engines, and brake horsepower is 1.5 or less
Delaware
Helmets are not required for models with 55cc or lower, and the operator is over 17
Florida
Helmets are not required for mopeds with 50cc or lower and brake horsepower of 2 or less, as long as the operator is over 16
Georgia
Helmets are not required for mopeds of 50cc or less and brake horsepower of 2 or less
Idaho
Helmets are not required for mopeds of 50cc or less
Kentucky
Helmets are not required for mopeds of 50cc or less and brake horsepower of 2 or less
Maine
Helmets are not required for motorized bicycles with pedals, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less and a maximum unassisted speed of 25 mph
Michigan
Helmets are not required for mopeds with 50cc or less and a maximum speed of 30 mph if the rider is at least 19
Missouri
No helmet requirement for motorized bicycles with 50cc or less, brake horsepower less than 3 and a maximum unassisted speed of 30 mph
New Mexico
No helmet is required for mopeds with 50cc or less
New York
Helmet use is not required for Class C limited motorcycles with a maximum speed of 20 mph
Oklahoma
Helmets are not required for motor-driven cycles with 35cc or less that produce no more than 1,000 watts of power They are also not required for mopeds with 50cc and brake horsepower of 2 or less
South Carolina
Three-wheeled motorcycles with detachable side cars, saddle-type seats and handlebars, or motorcycle-type steering exempt from helmet requirements
Vermont
Helmets are not required for motor-driven cycles with engine displacement of 50cc or fewer, a maximum speed of 30 mph, and pedals
Wisconsin
No helmets are required for mopeds with engines 130cc or less, a maximum speed of 30 mph and pedals
Wyoming
Helmets are not required for mopeds with 50cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum speeds of 30 mph

What States Require Motorcycle Helmets for Everyone?

Only 17 states and Washington, D.C., have universal helmet laws, meaning everyone must wear one regardless of age. They include:

  • Alabama
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oregon
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia

There may be exceptions to these laws based on vehicle type. However, those are limited to smaller, slower-moving vehicles. If you ride a fully-powered motorcycle, expect to wear a helmet on all public roads in these states.

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How Helmet Use Affects Motorcycle Accident Claims

Riders who fail to wear helmets risk severe or fatal injuries. A reasonable motorcyclist knows these risks. Unfortunately, drivers involved in motorcycle crashes may argue helmetless riders bear the fault for their head injuries, even if they are at fault.

Helmet use doesn't just affect safety—it can also influence the outcome of insurance claims and lawsuits. In states with comparative negligence, wearing a helmet may help mitigate arguments from at-fault drivers attempting to shift blame for injuries. Conversely, failing to wear a helmet may reduce the compensation a rider can receive, even if the other driver was primarily at fault.

Personal injury law depends on a victim avoiding negligence. Some states hold a victim’s negligence, even if it's minimal, against them.

A few states use a contributory negligence standard. Under this legal principle, any negligence by the victim bars all injury compensation. A motorcyclist recovers nothing even if they bear only 1% of the fault and the other driver bears 99%.

Most states use “comparative negligence.” This legal theory is more forgiving of riders who choose not to wear helmets. Rather than barring all compensation, the law reduces their compensation in proportion to the rider’s share of the fault. So, a motorcycle rider who bears 22% of the fault will be compensated for 78% of the losses.

Learn More From ConsumerShield

If you seek a motorcycle accident settlement, you will likely have the best luck with a personal injury attorney with extensive experience with motorcycles and riders. Whether you were injured while riding helmetless or suspect your helmet was defective when it failed to protect you, ConsumerShield can help you find a lawyer.

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Motorcycle Accident Knowledge Base

Read the latest information on Motorcycle Accident and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 25 topics about Motorcycle Accident Claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In total, 47 states and Washington, D.C., have motorcycle helmet laws. Of these states, 17 and Washington, D.C., have universal helmet laws that require all riders to wear them regardless of age.

  • There are 30 states that only require some riders to wear helmets. The most common helmet requirement involves the rider’s age. Some states also base requirements on health insurance coverage. The most common age restriction requires riders 17 or younger to wear helmets — 18 states use this age cutoff.

  • Three states allow all riders to ride motorcycles without helmets. New Hampshire has never had a motorcycle helmet law. Iowa and Illinois had motorcycle helmet laws before repealing them.

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