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Virginia: motorcycle helmet laws

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

Single detailed source

Type of law	Universal
Who must wear a helmet	All riders (universal law)

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 Virginia.

How Virginia compares

18 of 51 states and DC share this answer (Universal): Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia.

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