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Maine: motorcycle helmet laws

Who must wear a motorcycle helmet in your state: everyone, only some riders, or no one.

Single detailed source
Type of lawPartial
Who must wear a helmetRiders under 18, permit holders, new riders (first year) and all passengers

Not wearing a helmet can reduce what you recover after a crash in some states, even where a helmet is not required. Passenger rules may differ from rider rules.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Maine.

How Maine compares

30 of 51 states and DC share this answer (Partial): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Alaska: PartialAKMaine: PartialMEVermont: UniversalVTNew Hampshire: NoneNHWashington: UniversalWAIdaho: PartialIDMontana: PartialMTNorth Dakota: PartialNDMinnesota: PartialMNIllinois: NoneILWisconsin: PartialWIMichigan: PartialMINew York: UniversalNYRhode Island: PartialRIMassachusetts: UniversalMAOregon: UniversalORNevada: UniversalNVWyoming: PartialWYSouth Dakota: PartialSDIowa: NoneIAIndiana: PartialINOhio: PartialOHPennsylvania: PartialPANew Jersey: UniversalNJConnecticut: PartialCTCalifornia: UniversalCAUtah: PartialUTColorado: PartialCONebraska: PartialNEMissouri: PartialMOKentucky: PartialKYWest Virginia: UniversalWVVirginia: UniversalVAMaryland: UniversalMDDelaware: PartialDEArizona: PartialAZNew Mexico: PartialNMKansas: PartialKSArkansas: PartialARTennessee: UniversalTNNorth Carolina: UniversalNCSouth Carolina: PartialSCDistrict of Columbia: UniversalDCOklahoma: PartialOKLouisiana: UniversalLAMississippi: UniversalMSAlabama: UniversalALGeorgia: UniversalGAHawaii: PartialHITexas: PartialTXFlorida: PartialFL
  • Partial (30)
  • Universal (18)
  • None (3)

Also for Maine: Car insurance by state in Maine · Claim deadlines in Maine · Small claims limits in Maine · Total loss rules in Maine · Shared fault rules in Maine · Accident reporting rules in Maine · Lemon law rules in Maine · Sales tax rates in Maine · Phone-while-driving laws in Maine · Gas tax in Maine · Uninsured drivers in Maine · All Maine rules on one page

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.