Helmet Laws
Motorcycle helmet use laws by state
June 2026
| State | Helmet Law | Motorcycle vehicles not covered by the helmet law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | all riders | all are covered |
| Alaska | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Arizona | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 1.5 or less, and a maximum speed of 25 mph |
| Arkansas | 20 and younger | all are covered |
| California | all riders | all are covered |
| Colorado | 17 and younger and passengers 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Connecticut | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Delaware | 18 and younger | moped, defined by the state as a pedal or non-pedal bicycle having two tandem wheels and an engine displacement of less than 55 cc or an electric motor rated between 751 and 2000 watts, if the operator is 17 or older |
| District of Columbia | all riders | all are covered |
| Florida | 20 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph, if the operator is 16 or older |
| Georgia | all riders | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum speed on 30 mph |
| Hawaii | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Idaho | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of less than 2, and maximum speed of 30 mph |
| Illinois | no law | no law |
| Indiana | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Iowa | no law | no law |
| Kansas | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Kentucky | 20 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph |
| Louisiana | all riders | all are covered |
| Maine | 17 and younger | motorized bicycle, defined by the state as having brake horsepower of 1.5 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 25 mph; may have pedals |
| Maryland | all riders | all are covered |
| Massachusetts | all riders | all are covered |
| Michigan | 20 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less and maximum speed of 30 mph, if the operator is 19 or older |
| Minnesota | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Mississippi | all riders | all are covered |
| Missouri | 25 and younger | motorized bicycles, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower less than 3, and maximum speed of 30 mph |
| Montana | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum unassisted speed of 30 mph |
| Nebraska | all riders | all are covered |
| Nevada | all riders | all are covered |
| New Hampshire | no law | no law |
| New Jersey | all riders | all are covered |
| New Mexico | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement less than 50 cc and maximum speeds of 30 mph |
| New York | all riders | class C limited use motorcycle, defined by the state as having maximum speeds of 20 mph |
| North Carolina | all riders | all are covered |
| North Dakota | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Ohio | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Oklahoma | 17 and younger | motor-driven cycle, defined by the state as having an engine displacement greater than 35 cc but less than 150 cc or electric motor that produces more than 1000 watts moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and maximum speed of 30 mph |
| Oregon | all riders | all are covered |
| Pennsylvania | 20 and younger | all are covered |
| Rhode Island | 20 and younger | all are covered |
| South Carolina | 20 and younger | motorcycle three-wheel vehicle, defined by the state as having detachable side cars, saddle-type seat, and handlebars or motorcycle-type steering |
| South Dakota | 17 and younger | all are covered |
| Tennessee | all riders | all are covered |
| Texas | 20 and younger | all are covered |
| Utah | 20 and younger | all are covered |
| Vermont | all riders | motor-driven cycle, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speed of 30 mph |
| Virginia | all riders | all are covered |
| Washington | all riders | all are covered |
| West Virginia | all riders | all are covered |
| Wisconsin | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 130 cc or less, maximum speed of 30 mph, and fully operative pedals |
| Wyoming | 17 and younger | moped, defined by the state as having an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and maximum speeds of 30 mph |
Notes
- Alaska’s motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits. ↩
- Delaware, every motorcycle operator or rider age 19 and older must carry an approved helmet. ↩
- Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. ↩
- Kentucky, motorcycle helmet laws also cover operators with instructional/learner’s permits. ↩
- Maine cover operators with instructional/learner’s permits and operators in their first year of license. Maine’s motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 17 and younger and passengers riding with operators who are required to wear a helmet. ↩
- Michigan, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 and older may ride without helmets only if they carry additional insurance and have passed a motorcycle safety course or have had their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years. Motorcycle passengers who want to exercise this option also must be 21 or older and carry additional insurance. ↩
- Minnesota helmet laws cover operators with instructional/learner’s permits. ↩
- Missouri, riders younger than 26 and instruction permit holders, regardless of age, must wear protective headgear when the vehicle is in motion. Operators who are 26 and older may operate a motorcycle without protective headgear if they maintain proof of financial responsibility. No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance. ↩
- North Dakota’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law. ↩
- Ohio’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of license and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law. ↩
- Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of license unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. ↩
- Rhode Island’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators during the first year of license (regardless of age). ↩
- Texas exempts riders 21 or older if they can either show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or can show proof of having a medical insurance policy. A peace officer may not stop or detain a person who is the operator Here is an overview of current state helmet laws as of June 2026.
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.
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 New Jersey
California New York
District of Columbia North Carolina
Georgia Oregon
Louisiana Tennessee
Maryland Vermont
Massachusetts Virginia
Mississippi Washington
Nevada 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.
Which States Have Limited Motorcycle Helmet Laws?
A limited motorcycle helmet law restricts the requirement to an age group or certain 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
Helmet Required For State
Alaska – 17 and younger Missouri – 25 and younger
Arizona – 17 and younger Montana – 17 and younger
Arkansas – 20 and younger Nebraska – 20 and younger
Colorado – 17 and younger (incl. passengers) New Mexico – 17 and younger
Connecticut – 20 and younger North Dakota – 17 and younger
Delaware – 18 and younger + novice riders Ohio – 17 and younger
Florida – 20 and younger Oklahoma – 17 and younger
Hawaii – 17 and younger Pennsylvania – 20 and younger
Idaho – 17 and younger Rhode Island – 20 and younger
Indiana – 17 and younger South Carolina – 20 and younger
Kansas – 17 and younger South Dakota – 17 and younger
Kentucky – 20 and younger Texas – 20 and younger
Maine – 17 and younger Utah – 20 and younger
Michigan – 20 and younger Wisconsin – 17 and younger
Minnesota – 17 and younger Wyoming – 17 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
Additional Rules When Helmets Required
Alaska
Helmets also required for all passengers and anyone with an instructional permit.
Delaware
Riders 19+ must carry an approved helmet even if not required to wear it.
Florida
Riders 21+ may ride without a helmet only if they have medical insurance.
Kentucky
Riders with instructional/learner’s permits must wear helmets, regardless of age.
Maine
Helmet required for first-year license holders, all passengers under 18, and those riding with a helmet-required operator.
Michigan
Riders 21+ may go without helmets only with extra insurance and either safety training or 2+ years of endorsement; passengers must meet same rules.
Minnesota
Riders with instructional/learner’s permits must wear helmets.
Missouri
Riders 26+ may ride without helmets if they have proof of financial responsibility. Permit holders must always wear helmets. No stops solely to check for compliance.
Nebraska
Riders 21+ may ride without helmets only if they complete a safety course and submit proof to the DMV.
North Dakota
Passengers must wear helmets if the operator is legally required to wear one.
Ohio
Helmet required for first-year riders and their passengers, regardless of age.
Pennsylvania
Helmet required for first two years unless the rider completes a PennDOT- or MSF-approved course.
Rhode Island
All passengers and riders in their first year of licensure must wear helmets.
Texas
Riders 21+ may go without a helmet if they complete a safety course or carry insurance. Police may not stop solely to check for compliance.
Wisconsin
Helmets required for riders with instructional/learner’s permits, regardless of age.