The Motorcycle Insurance for Helmet Laws by State
The Motorcycle Insurance always believe that wearing the right helmet can reduce the risk of serious brain damage and death during the accident. In which the impact is being absorbed by the helmet, as opposed to your head and mind.
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.
- 47 states and the District of Columbia have a helmet law for motorcyclists.
o 19 states and the District of Columbia have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
o The remaining 28 states require helmets for specific riders.
- Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have a motorcycle helmet law.
BICYCLE HELMETS
Fewer states have enacted bicycle helmet laws. However, many localities require helmet use for some or all bicyclists.
- 21 states and the District of Columbia have a helmet law for bicyclists below a certain age, generally about 16.
- 29 states have no bicycle helmet law.
| State | Motorcyclists | Bicyclists | ||
| Universal Helmet Law (Enacted) | Partial Law | Universal Helmet Law (Repealed) | ||
| Alabama | 1967 | <16 | ||
| Alaska | <18 or instructional permit;
all passengers |
1976 | ||
| Arizona | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Arkansas | <21 | 1997 | ||
| California | 1992 | <18 | ||
| Colorado | <18; all passengers <18 | 1977 | ||
| Connecticut | <18 | 1976 | <16 | |
| Delaware | <19 | 1978 | <18 | |
| D.C. | 1970 | <16 | ||
| Florida | <21 or those with <$10,000 in medical coverage for motorcycle-related injuries | 2000 | <16 | |
| Georgia | 1969 | <16 | ||
| Hawaii | <18 | 1977 | <16 | |
| Idaho | <18 | 1978 | ||
| Illinois | 1970 | |||
| Indiana | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Iowa | 1976 | |||
| Kansas | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Kentucky | <21 or licensed <1 yr.;
no medical insurance |
1998 | ||
| Louisiana | 2004 | <12 | ||
| Maine | Licensed <1 yr.;
all passengers <18 |
1977 | <16
($25 fine for 2nd or subsequent violation) |
|
| Maryland | 1992 | <16 | ||
| Massachusetts | 1967 | >1 and <17
(<1 prohibited) |
||
| Michigan | <21 or no additional insurance (riders and passengers) | 2012 | ||
| Minnesota | <18 or instructional permit | 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
(<1 prohibited) |
||
| North Carolina | 1968 | <16 | ||
| North Dakota | <18; all passengers if operator is <18 | 1977 | ||
| Ohio | <18 or licensed <1 yr.; all passengers if operator required to wear helmet | 1978 | ||
| Oklahoma | <18 | 1976 | ||
| Oregon | 1988 | <16 | ||
| Pennsylvania | <21 or licensed <2 yrs. except those who complete a PnnDOT- or Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved safety course | 2003 | <12 | |
| Rhode Island | <21 or licensed <1 yr.;
all passengers |
1976 | <16 | |
| South Carolina | <21 | 1980 | ||
| South Dakota | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Tennessee | 1967 | <16 | ||
| Texas | <21; those who have not completed safety course or have no medical insurance (secondarily enforced) | 1997 | ||
| Utah | <18 | 1977 | ||
| Vermont | 1968 | |||
| Virginia | 1970 | |||
| Washington | 1990 | |||
| West Virginia | 1971 | <15 | ||
| Wisconsin | <18 or instructional permit | 1978 | ||
| Wyoming | <18 | 1983 | ||
