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Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State

Some states may fine you up to $1000 for not riding with a helmet. State helmet laws and violations vary by each state, and your state may carry a stiffer fine than you might think.  Also, this is especially important if you are planning to travel across state lines. If you’re planning a road trip that crosses these borders, or would like to learn more about your own state’s helmet laws, check out our chart and infographic below.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

 

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 Chart of motorcycle helmet laws by state

Type of Helmet Law Age Range Maximum Fine Points on License Jail Time Eye Protection Required
Helmet Laws in Alabama Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified Less than 10 days No
Helmet Laws in Alaska Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      300.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Arizona Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      250.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Arkansas Age-Specific Younger than 21  $        50.00 Not Specified Less than 30 days Yes
Helmet Laws in California Universal All  $      100.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Colorado Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      100.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in Connecticut Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      100.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in Delaware Age-Specific Younger than 18  $        90.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in District of Columbia Universal All  $        25.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in Florida Age-Specific Younger than 21  $        30.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Georgia Universal All  $   1,000.00 Not Specified Less than 12 days Yes
Helmet Laws in Hawaii Age-Specific Younger than 18  $   1,000.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Idaho Age-Specific Younger than 18  $   1,000.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Illinois None N/A  $               – N/A N/A Yes
Helmet Laws in Indiana Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 4 points None Yes
Helmet Laws in Iowa None N/A  $               – N/A N/A No
Helmet Laws in Kansas Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws In Kentucky Age-Specific Younger than 21  $      100.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Louisiana Universal All  $        50.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Maine Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Maryland Universal All  $      500.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Massachusetts Universal All  $        35.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Michigan Universal All  $               – Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Minnesota Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      300.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Mississippi Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified Less than 12 days No
Helmet Laws in Missouri Universal All  $        25.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Montana Age-Specific Younger than 18  $          5.00 Not Specified None No
Helmet Laws in Nebraska Universal All  $        50.00 No None No
Helmet Laws in Nevada Universal All  $      100.00 2 points Less than 6 months Yes
Motorcycle Helmet Laws in New Hampshire None N/A  $               – N/A N/A Yes
Helmet Laws in New Jersey Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in New Mexico Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      300.00 Not Specified Less than 90 days Yes
Helmet Laws in New York Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified Less than 30 days Yes
Helmet Laws in North Carolina Universal All  $        25.50 No None No
Helmet Laws in North Dakota Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 2 points None No
Helmet Laws in Ohio Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      150.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in Oklahoma Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 Not Specified Less than 10 days Yes
Helmet Laws in Oregon Universal All  $        90.00 Not Specified None No
Helmet Laws in Pennsylvania Age-Specific Younger than 21  $        25.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Rhode Island Age-Specific Younger than 21  $        85.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in South Carolina Age-Specific Younger than 21  $      100.00 Not Specified Less than 30 days Yes
Helmet Laws in South Dakota Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      500.00 Not Specified Less than 30 days Yes
Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Tennessee Universal All  $        50.00 Not Specified Less than 30 days Yes
Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Texas Age-Specific Younger than 21  $        50.00 Not Specified None No
Helmet Laws in Utah Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      750.00 Not Specified Less than 90 days No
Helmet Laws in Vermont Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Virginia Universal All  $      250.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in Washington Universal All  $        42.00 Not Specified None Yes
Helmet Laws in West Virginia Universal All  $      100.00 Not Specified Less than 10 days Yes
Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Wisconsin Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      200.00 No None Yes
Helmet Laws in Wyoming Age-Specific Younger than 18  $      200.00 Not Specified Less than 20 days No

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About the Author

Michael Padway is a motorcycle accident attorney with over 40 years of experience in motorcycle cases. He’s been a lifelong motorcycle rider, and fanatic for its culture, advocacy, and safety. If you need assistance with a motorcycle accident, contact him at (800) 928-1511 or visit michaelpadway.com for a free consultation.