All topics · Driving

Motorcycle helmet laws by state

People search “Motorcycle helmet by state”, “Motorcycle helmet laws by state”, and “Helmet map” when a road trip, boat, bike, or load is about to cross a line. This page is the 50-state index for motorcycle helmet. Colors and quotes are written for someone in that state today, not for what that state demands of its own registered vehicles.

Open the Helmet difference map

How states differ

Who must wear a DOT helmet here — age, insurance, and course exceptions.

  • All operators and passengers
  • Age, insurance, course, or novice-license rule
  • No statewide helmet law (IL, IA, NH)

Searches this page is meant to answer

If you typed any of these — or a close variant with a state name — this is the Crosstatelaws topic that should show up:

  • Motorcycle helmet by state
  • Motorcycle helmet laws by state
  • Helmet laws by state
  • Motorcycle helmet map
  • Motorcycle helmet traveling across state lines
  • does motorcycle helmet change by state
  • helmet required motorcycle
  • states with no helmet law
  • Motorcycle helmet in California / Texas / Florida / New York
  • is motorcycle helmet legal while traveling

All 50 states

One-line traveler summary for each state. Open the map for the quoted rule and footnotes.

Alabama (AL)
Alabama: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Alaska (AK)
Alaska: helmet required for age 17 and younger, plus instructional-permit operators, plus ALL passengers. Every passenger wears a helmet, including an adult passenger behind a helmetless adult operator.
Arizona (AZ)
Arizona: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Arkansas (AR)
Arkansas: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21).
California (CA)
California: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Colorado (CO)
Colorado: helmet required for age 17 and younger — operators AND passengers.
Connecticut (CT)
Connecticut: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21).
Delaware (DE)
Delaware: helmet required for age 18 and younger (under 19) and their passengers; novice operators AND passengers for 2 years after endorsement. Age 19+ must carry an approved helmet even when not required to wear one.
Florida (FL)
Florida: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21) always. Age 21+ may ride without a helmet only with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle injuries.
Georgia (GA)
Georgia: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Hawaii (HI)
Hawaii: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Idaho (ID)
Idaho: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Illinois (IL)
Illinois: no statewide motorcycle helmet law. Adults and minors may ride without a helmet on Illinois roads (IIHS/GHSA August 2026).
Indiana (IN)
Indiana: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Iowa (IA)
Iowa: no statewide motorcycle helmet law. Adults and minors may ride without a helmet on Iowa roads (IIHS/GHSA August 2026).
Kansas (KS)
Kansas: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21), plus instructional/learner-permit holders any age.
Louisiana (LA)
Louisiana: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Maine (ME)
Maine: helmet required for age 17 and younger; also instructional permit and the first year of licensure; passengers 17-and-under and passengers of helmet-required operators.
Maryland (MD)
Maryland: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Massachusetts (MA)
Massachusetts: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Michigan (MI)
Michigan: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21) always. Age 21+ may ride without a helmet only if (a) motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years OR an approved safety course AND (b) at least $20,000 first-party medical benefits (higher if carrying a passenger without their own $20k).
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota: helmet required for age 17 and younger, plus instructional-permit operators.
Mississippi (MS)
Mississippi: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Missouri (MO)
Missouri: helmet required for age 25 and younger (under 26), plus instruction-permit holders any age. Age 26+ may ride without a helmet with proof of financial responsibility. A stop solely to check the helmet is barred.
Montana (MT)
Montana: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Nebraska (NE)
Nebraska: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21) always. Age 21+ may ride without a helmet after completing the required motorcycle safety course (or holding an out-of-state MC license) and filing proof with DMV — Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,279.
Nevada (NV)
Nevada: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
New Hampshire (NH)
New Hampshire: no statewide motorcycle helmet law. Adults and minors may ride without a helmet on New Hampshire roads (IIHS/GHSA August 2026).
New Jersey (NJ)
New Jersey: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
New Mexico (NM)
New Mexico: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
New York (NY)
New York: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
North Carolina (NC)
North Carolina: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
North Dakota (ND)
North Dakota: helmet required for age 17 and younger, plus passengers of covered operators.
Ohio (OH)
Ohio: helmet required for age 17 and younger; also the first year of licensure any age; passengers of covered operators.
Oklahoma (OK)
Oklahoma: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Oregon (OR)
Oregon: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Pennsylvania (PA)
Pennsylvania: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21). Also the first 2 years of licensure unless a PennDOT/MSF safety course is completed.
Rhode Island (RI)
Rhode Island: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21); ALL passengers any age; ALL operators during the first year of licensure any age. A 40-year-old passenger still needs a helmet. A first-year licensee any age still needs a helmet.
South Carolina (SC)
South Carolina: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21).
South Dakota (SD)
South Dakota: helmet required for age 17 and younger.
Tennessee (TN)
Tennessee: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Texas (TX)
Texas: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21) always. Age 21+ may ride without a helmet with a motorcycle safety course OR medical insurance. An officer may not stop solely to check the course or insurance card.
Utah (UT)
Utah: helmet required for age 20 and younger (under 21).
Vermont (VT)
Vermont: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Virginia (VA)
Virginia: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Washington (WA)
Washington: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
West Virginia (WV)
West Virginia: motorcycle helmet required for all operators and all passengers. DOT-approved lid — not a novelty beanie.
Wisconsin (WI)
Wisconsin: helmet required for age 17 and younger, plus instructional-permit operators.
Wyoming (WY)
Wyoming: helmet required for age 17 and younger.

Related driving topics

Not legal advice. Confirm statutes before you travel. Disclaimer.