Motorcycle helmet laws by state
Who must wear a motorcycle helmet in your state: everyone, only some riders, or no one.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
30Partial
18Universal
3None
51states and DC covered: 51 single detailed source
Motorcycle helmet law: map
- Partial (30)
- Universal (18)
- None (3)
Full table
| State | Law type | Who must wear one |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Alaska Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 or with an instructional permit, and all passengers |
| Arizona Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Arkansas Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 |
| California Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Colorado Single detailed source | Partial | Riders and passengers under 18 |
| Connecticut Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 |
| Delaware Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 19, and all riders for 2 years after getting an endorsement |
| District of Columbia Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Florida Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21, or without $10,000 of medical coverage |
| Georgia Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Hawaii Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Idaho Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Illinois Single detailed source | None | No helmet law |
| Indiana Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Iowa Single detailed source | None | No helmet law |
| Kansas Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Kentucky Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 or licensed less than 1 year |
| Louisiana Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Maine Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18, permit holders, new riders (first year) and all passengers |
| Maryland Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Massachusetts Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Michigan Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21, or without extra medical insurance |
| Minnesota Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 or with an instructional permit |
| Mississippi Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Missouri Single detailed source | Partial | Required unless 26 or older with medical insurance |
| Montana Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Nebraska Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 |
| Nevada Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| New Hampshire Single detailed source | None | No helmet law |
| New Jersey Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| New Mexico Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| New York Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| North Carolina Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| North Dakota Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18, and passengers of riders under 18 |
| Ohio Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 or licensed less than 1 year, and their passengers |
| Oklahoma Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Oregon Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Pennsylvania Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 or licensed under 2 years, unless they complete an approved course |
| Rhode Island Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 or licensed under 1 year, and all passengers |
| South Carolina Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 |
| South Dakota Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
| Tennessee Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Texas Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21, or without a safety course or medical insurance |
| Utah Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 21 |
| Vermont Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Virginia Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Washington Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| West Virginia Single detailed source | Universal | All riders (universal law) |
| Wisconsin Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 or with an instructional permit |
| Wyoming Single detailed source | Partial | Riders under 18 |
How we checked this
Requirements come from the Governors Highway Safety Association's state helmet law pages, sourced from IIHS and reviewed by state highway safety offices in 2025. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.