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Information for motorcycle riders by motorcycle riders and mechanics
A resource site about owning a motorcycle, buying a motorcycle, riding your motorcycle and fixing your motorcycle.. |
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HELMET USE LAWS
as of July 2003
Helmet laws don't change much, but before you find out the hard way, ask.
By the early 1970s, virtually all states had laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
Illinois repealed its law in 1970 and, by 1980, most states had abandoned or substantially limited theirs -- usually restricting coverage to riders younger than 18.
Legislators in some states later reinstated helmet laws so that all but 3 states now require some or all motorcyclists to wear helmets. (Colorado, Illinois, and Iowa don't have helmet laws.)
Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, and Texas have changed their laws covering all riders to apply only to young riders.
Helmet use rates approach 100 percent in 20 states and the District of Columbia where motorcycle helmet laws apply to all riders, but the laws in 27 states that apply only to some cyclists aren't effective.
Bicycle helmets also prevent injuries, but no state has a universal bicycle helmet law.
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Only 17 states and the District of Columbia have statewide bicycle helmet laws, and they apply only to young riders.
Local ordinances in a few states require bicycle helmets for some or all riders.
| State |
Motorcycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
Bicycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
| Alabama |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Alaska |
17 yrs. and younger1 |
no law |
| Arizona |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Arkansas |
20 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| California |
all riders |
riders younger than 18 |
| Colorado |
no helmet use laws |
| Connecticut |
17 yrs. and younger |
riders younger than 16 |
| Delaware |
18 yrs. and younger |
riders younger than 16 |
| District of Columbia |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Florida |
20 yrs. and younger2 |
riders younger than 16 |
| State |
Motorcycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
Bicycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
| Georgia |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Hawaii |
17 yrs. and younger |
riders younger than 16 |
| Idaho |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Illinois |
no helmet use laws |
| Indiana |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Iowa |
no helmet use laws |
| Kansas |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Kentucky |
20 yrs. and younger2,3 |
no law |
| Louisiana |
all riders |
all riders |
| Maine |
14 yrs. and younger4 |
riders younger than 16 |
| State |
Motorcycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
Bicycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
| Maryland |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Massachusetts |
all riders |
riders older than 1 and younger than 135 |
| Michigan |
all riders |
no law |
| Minnesota |
17 yrs. and younger3 |
no law |
| Mississippi |
all riders |
no law |
| Missouri |
all riders |
no law |
| Montana |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Nebraska |
all riders |
no law |
| Nevada |
all riders |
no law |
| New Hampshire |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| State |
Motorcycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
Bicycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
| New Jersey |
all riders |
riders younger than 14 |
| New Mexico |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| New York |
all riders |
riders older than 1 and younger than 145 |
| North Carolina |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| North Dakota |
17 yrs. and younger6 |
no law |
| Ohio |
17 yrs. and younger7 |
no law |
| Oklahoma |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Oregon |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Pennsylvania |
20 yrs. and younger8 (eff. 09/04/03) |
riders younger than 12 |
| Rhode Island |
20 yrs. and younger8 |
riders younger than 16 |
| State |
Motorcycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
Bicycle Riders
Covered by Helmet Law |
| South Carolina |
20 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| South Dakota |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Tennessee |
all riders |
riders younger than 16 |
| Texas |
20 yrs. and younger2 |
no law |
| Utah |
17 yrs. and younger |
no law |
| Vermont |
all riders |
no law |
| Virginia |
all riders |
no law |
| Washington |
all riders |
no law |
| West Virginia |
all riders |
riders younger than 15 |
| Wisconsin |
17 yrs. and younger3 |
no law |
| Wyoming |
18 yrs. and younger |
no law |
Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, drivers younger than 18, and drivers with instructional permits.
Florida, Kentucky, and Texas provide exceptions for riders over a certain age. In Florida and Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years old wear helmets, without exception.
In Florida, those 21 years old and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered with a medical insurance policy.
Louisiana's law allows riders 18 years and older to ride without helmets if they can show proof that they are covered with a medical insurance policy.
Texas exempts riders 21 years old or older if they either (1) can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or (2) can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.
Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also cover drivers with instructional/learner's permits.
Maine's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers 14 years and younger, drivers with a learner's permit, and passengers if their drivers are required to wear a helmet.
Bicycle helmet use laws in Massachusetts and New York prohibit people from transporting passengers younger than age 1.
North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with drivers who are covered with the law.
Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers of drivers who are covered with the law
Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers.
Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first two years of licensure unless the driver has completed the safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. |
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