If you are unsure of the motorcycle helmet laws governing where you live and ride in the United States, the table below will help. The following data on motorcycle helmet laws is courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as of February 2011.
| State | Motorcycle Helmet Laws |
| Alabama | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Alaska | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + passengers of any age + any rider riding under a learner’s permit |
| Arizona | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Arkansas | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet |
| California | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Colorado | Every rider 17 and younger and passengers must wear a helmet |
| Connecticut | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Delaware | Every rider 18 and younger must wear a helmet |
| District of Columbia | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Florida | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider 21 and over who cannot show proof of medical insurance |
| Georgia | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Hawaii | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Idaho | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Illinois | No helmet law |
| Indiana | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Iowa | No helmet law |
| Kansas | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Kentucky | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider 21 and over who cannot show proof of medical insurance or is riding under a learner’s permit |
| Louisiana | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Maine | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider riding under a learner’s permit or within 1 year of receiving his or her license + if the rider is legally required to wear a helmet, so is any passenger |
| Maryland | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Massachusetts | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Michigan | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Minnesota | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider riding under a learner’s permit |
| Mississippi | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Missouri | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Montana | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Nebraska | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Nevada | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| New Hampshire | No helmet law |
| New Jersey | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| New Mexico | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| New York | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| North Carolina | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| North Dakota | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + if the rider is legally required to wear a helmet, so is any passenger |
| Ohio | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider within 1 year of receiving his or her license + if the rider is legally required to wear a helmet, so is any passenger |
| Oklahoma | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Oregon | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Pennsylvania | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider within 2 years of receiving his or her license unless they have completed the PennDOT approved safety program or the course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation |
| Rhode Island | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider within 1 year of receiving his or her license + any passenger |
| South Carolina | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet |
| South Dakota | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Tennessee | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Texas | Every rider 20 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider 21 or older who cannot show proof of medical insurance or having completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course, although police may not stop a rider for the sole purpose of checking insurance or safety course completion |
| Utah | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
| Vermont | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Virginia | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Washington | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| West Virginia | Every rider must wear a helmet |
| Wisconsin | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet + any rider who is riding under a learner’s permit |
| Wyoming | Every rider 17 and younger must wear a helmet |
Remember that motorcycle helmet laws are instituted to save lives. Note that there may be statutes other than the above motorcycle helmet laws in your state or city. Be sure to consult your municipal government for details.
| Every rider must wear a helmet |
Great post. I appreciate you adding this info. I bookmarked your blog.
Thanks, Tim. Your comment reminded me to update some recent law changes!