• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Top Pick Guide

Your Guide To The Best Outdoor Products On The Market

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Product Reviews
  • How-To Guides
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Troubleshooting

Motorcycle Helmet Laws By State: What You Need to Know in 2021

By Christopher Davis Last Updated April 12, 2021

Motorcycle Helmet Laws By State: What You Need to Know in 2021

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is always a good idea, regardless of the law. It affects many aspects, such as insurance claims in accidents. It is incredible to have a direct touch of wind on your face and scalp, but that may cost your life!

Even if your state allows motorbiking without a helmet on your head, you should practice wearing one for your own safety.

The state where you’re residing may have its own helmet safety laws or no law at all. Most states have their laws for each age demographic. Other states have laws with no age limit.

They also dictate what safety features a motorcycle helmet should have. Motorcycle helmet laws are different in each state. In this article, we are going to cover the motorcycle helmet laws by state, and how you should follow them.

Different Helmet Law Categories

Motorcycle helmet laws fall into several categories:

  1. Everyone – applicable for everybody without age limitation
  2. Under 21- applicable for everybody under 21 years old
  3. Under 18 – applicable for everybody under 18 years old
  4. No Law – not applicable to anybody

States have the discretion to determine rules such as engine power limitation, maximum speed, and insurance policy.

Helmet Safety Laws By State: A Full Breakdown

To help you understand better, we’ve listed all the states and their current laws on helmet safety below.

Alabama: Everyone Louisiana: Everyone Ohio: Under 18
Alaska: Under 18 Maine: Under 18 Oklahoma: Under 18
Arizona: Under 18 Maryland: Everyone Oregon: Everyone
Arkansas: Under 21 Massachusetts: Everyone Pennsylvania: Under 21
California: Everyone Michigan: Under 21 Rhode Island: Under 21
Colorado: Under 18 (passengers included) Minnesota: Under 18 South Carolina: Under 21
Connecticut: Under 21 Mississippi: Everyone South Dakota: Under 18
Delaware: Under 19 Missouri: Everyone Tennessee: Everyone
Florida: Under 21 Montana: Under 18 Texas: Under 21
Georgia: Everyone Nebraska: Everyone Utah: Under 21
Hawaii: Under 18 Nevada: Everyone Vermont: Everyone
Idaho: Under 18 New Hampshire: No law Virginia: Everyone
Illinois: No law New Jersey: Everyone Washington, D.C.: Everyone
Indiana: Under 18 New Mexico: Under 18 Washington (state): Everyone
Iowa: No law New York: Everyone West Virginia: Everyone
Kansas: Under 18 North Carolina: Everyone Wisconsin: Under 18
Kentucky: Under 21 North Dakota: Under 18 Wyoming: Under 18

Source: RideApart

As you can see, three states have no law at all, while 19 states have helmet safety laws for everyone. The rest of the states focus on rules for younger riders (18 or 21 years old).

In some states, bikers are allowed to ride without helmets, but they need to be covered by a certain amount of insurance. In regards to off-road or dirt biking, most states require safety certificates or supervision from professionals. Laws can get changed from time to time, subject to necessities.

Helmet Law Violations and Results

The states where you need to wear a helmet will typically ask you to buy a DOT approved helmet. These can cost you between $150 and $500. The price will vary for different models, sizes, and brands. However, these helmets will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

In places where you’re legally bound to wear a helmet, you may receive a warning or be fined for violations. These fines can be pretty high compared to the price of a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet.

If you violate the law and ignore wearing a helmet where asked, you may get in an accident and cause a head injury. In this case you are at risk of getting little to no compensation from the person who was at fault. It can also impact your insurance claim.

Last Words

Riding through the road or terrain with a motorbike is always thrilling! Some riders love to get a gust of wind on their face and scalp for more thrills! But this can cost them their life, and that is why most states emphasize helmet use! These laws are put in place to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Be considerate and always wear a helmet when you are on the road.

Hopefully this article has answered all of your questions on the motorcycle helmet laws by state. Laws are constantly changing and it is your job to stay up to date. As young adolescents want more thrills and drive recklessly, states tend to focus their attention more. Whoever you are, it is your responsibility to ensure riding safety.

Read More:

  • The Do’s And Don’ts of Staple Guns (Safety Guide)
    The Do’s And Don’ts of Staple Guns (Safety Guide)
  • 10 Best Tree Climbing Boots for 2021 (Reviews & Buying Guide)
    10 Best Tree Climbing Boots for 2021 (Reviews &…
  • What To Do When Your Propane Heater Will Not Stay Lit (5 Easy Fixes)
    What To Do When Your Propane Heater Will Not Stay…
  • How to Split Wood with A Hatchet (4 Steps and Tips)
    How to Split Wood with A Hatchet (4 Steps and Tips)
0shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 10 Best Tree Climbing Boots for 2021 (Reviews & Buying Guide)
  • Outdoor Patio Cleaning Guide (Step-By Step for Beginners)
  • 7 Essential Band Saw Safety Rules for Every Woodworker
  • 6 Types of Circular Saws Explained with Their Usages
  • 9 Best Tree Climbing Spikes for 2021 (Reviews & Guide)

  • About
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Services

As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 - Toppickguide.