Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle Helmet Laws Current as of September, 2005

State	Helmet Required	For Ages	Additional Information
Alabama	Yes	ALL
Alaska	Yes	17 and under	Alaska law covers passengers of all ages, drivers younger than 18, and drivers with instructional permits.
Arizona	Yes	17 and under
Arkansas	Yes	20 and under
California	Yes	ALL
Colorado	NO
Connecticut	Yes	17 and under
Delaware	Yes	18 and under
District of Columbia	Yes	ALL
Florida	Yes	20 and under	Florida 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.
Georgia	Yes	ALL
Hawaii	Yes	17 and under
Idaho	Yes	17 and under
Illinois	NO
Indiana	Yes	17 and under
Iowa	NO
Kansas	Yes	17 and under
Kentucky	Yes	20 and under	Kentucky law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky also cover drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Louisiana	Yes	ALL
Maine	Yes	14 and under	If a motorcycle's operator is required to wear a helmet, any passenger on that motorcycle must also wear a helmet.
Maryland	Yes	ALL
Massachusetts	Yes	ALL
Michigan	Yes	ALL
Minnesota	Yes	17 and under	Minnesota law applies to to drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Mississippi	Yes	ALL
Missouri	Yes	ALL
Montana	Yes	17 and under
Nebraska	Yes	ALL
Nevada	Yes	ALL
New Hampshire	Yes	17 and under	Anyone under the age of 18, whether a passenger or a driver.
New Jersey	Yes	ALL
New Mexico	Yes	17 and under
New York	Yes	ALL
North Carolina	Yes	ALL
North Dakota	Yes	17 and under	North Dakota law applies to all passengers traveling with drivers who are covered by the law.
Ohio	Yes	17 and under	Ohio law applies to all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers of drivers who are covered by the law.
Oklahoma	Yes	17 and under
Oregon	Yes	ALL
Pennsylvania	Yes	20 and under	Pennsylvania law applies to all drivers regardless of age during the first two years of licensure unless the driver completes a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved safety course.
Rhode Island	Yes	20 and under	Rhode Island law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers.
South Carolina	Yes	20 and under
South Dakota	Yes	17 and under
Tennessee	Yes	ALL
Texas	Yes	20 and under	Texas exempts riders 21 years or older if they can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.
Utah	Yes	17 and under
Vermont	Yes	ALL
Virginia	Yes	ALL
Washington	Yes	ALL
West Virginia	Yes	ALL
Wisconsin	Yes	17 and under	Wisconsin law applies to drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Wyoming	Yes	18 and under