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Helmet Laws
Motorcycle Helmets
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, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a helmet law for motorcyclists.
- 20 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
- The remaining 27 states and Guam require helmets for specific riders.
- 3 states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) do not have a motorcycle helmet law.
Bicycle Helmets
Fewer states have enacted bicycle helmet laws. GHSA only tracks state laws. However, many localities require helmet use for some or all bicyclists.
- 21 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have a helmet law for bicyclists.
- Only the Virgin Islands requires helmets for all bicyclists.
- The rest require helmets for riders below a certain age, generally about 16.
- 29 states and Guam have no bicycle helmet law.
| State | Motorcyclists | Bicyclists | ||
| Universal Helmet Law (Year Enacted) | Partial Law | Universal Helmet Law Repealed | ||
| Alabama | 1967 | <16 | ||
| Alaska | <18 and all operators w/ instructional permit | 1976 | ||
| Arizona | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Arkansas | <21 | 1997 | ||
| California | 1992 | <18 | ||
| Colorado | <18 if they are operating or riding with another operator under 18 | 1977 | ||
| Connecticut | <18 | 1976 | <16 | |
| Delaware | <19 | 1978 | <18 | |
| D.C. | 1970 | <16 | ||
| Florida | <21 (>21 with <$10,000 in medical insurance) | 2000 | <16 | |
| Georgia | 1969 | <16 | ||
| Guam | <18 | |||
| Hawaii | <18 | 1977 | <16 | |
| Idaho | <18 | 1978 | ||
| Illinois | 1970 | |||
| Indiana | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Iowa | 1976 | |||
| Kansas | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Kentucky | <21 or anyone who has had their license for <1 year | 1998 | ||
| Louisiana | 2004 | <12 | ||
| Maine | Passengers <18 and anyone within 1 year of obtaining a motorcycle license | 1977 | <16 (For a 2nd or subsequent violation, a $25 fine may be given.) |
|
| Maryland | 1992 | <16 | ||
| Massachusetts | 1967 | >1 and <17 (riding with children <1 prohibited) | ||
| Michigan | 1969 | |||
| Minnesota | <18 and all operators with an instruction permit, no matter what age | 1977 | ||
| Mississippi | 1974 | |||
| Missouri | 1967 | |||
| Montana | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Nebraska | 1989 | |||
| Nevada | 1972 | |||
| New Hampshire | <16 | |||
| New Jersey | 1968 | <17 | ||
| New Mexico | <18 | 1977 | <18 | |
| New York | 1967 | >1 and <14 (riding with children <1 prohibited) | ||
| North Carolina | 1968 | <16 | ||
| North Dakota | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Yes | <18 | ||
| Ohio | <18 or anyone within 1 year of obtaining a motorcycle license; passengers, if the operator is required to wear a helmet | 1978 | ||
| Oklahoma | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Oregon | 1988 | <16 | ||
| Pennsylvania | <21 or all operators within two years of licensure, unless they have completed a safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation | 2003 | <12 | |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | |||
| Rhode Island | < 21 or any new operator within one year after license issued; all passengers | 1976 | <16 | |
| South Carolina | <21 | 1980 | ||
| South Dakota | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Tennessee | 1967 | <16 | ||
| Texas | <21 | 1997 | ||
| Utah | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Vermont | 1968 | |||
| Virgin Islands | Yes | All | ||
| Virginia | 1970 | |||
| Washington | 1990 | |||
| West Virginia | 1971 | <15 | ||
| Wisconsin | <18 and all operators w/ instructional permit | 1978 | ||
| Wyoming | <18 | 1983 | ||
| Totals | 47 + D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands | 29 states have had a universal helmet law repealed | 21 + D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands Age (# of States) All (Virgin Islands) <18 (3 + Northern Mariana Islands) <17 (2) <16 (12 + D.C.) <15 (1) <14 (1) <12 (2) |
|
| 20 + D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands | 27 + Guam Age (# of States) <21 (7) <19 (1) <18 (19) Passengers <18 (1) |
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Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.