Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State
Some states may fine you up to $1000 for not riding with a helmet. State helmet laws and violations vary by each state, and your state may carry a stiffer fine than you might think. Also, this is especially important if you are planning to travel across state lines. If you’re planning a road trip that crosses these borders, or would like to learn more about your own state’s helmet laws, check out our chart and infographic below.
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Chart of motorcycle helmet laws by state
| Type of Helmet Law | Age Range | Maximum Fine | Points on License | Jail Time | Eye Protection Required | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helmet Laws in Alabama | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | Less than 10 days | No |
| Helmet Laws in Alaska | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 300.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Arizona | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 250.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Arkansas | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 50.00 | Not Specified | Less than 30 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in California | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Colorado | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 100.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Connecticut | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 100.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Delaware | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 90.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in District of Columbia | Universal | All | $ 25.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Florida | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 30.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Georgia | Universal | All | $ 1,000.00 | Not Specified | Less than 12 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Hawaii | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 1,000.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Idaho | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 1,000.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Illinois | None | N/A | $ – | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Indiana | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | 4 points | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Iowa | None | N/A | $ – | N/A | N/A | No |
| Helmet Laws in Kansas | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws In Kentucky | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Louisiana | Universal | All | $ 50.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Maine | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Maryland | Universal | All | $ 500.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Massachusetts | Universal | All | $ 35.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Michigan | Universal | All | $ – | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Minnesota | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 300.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Mississippi | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | Less than 12 days | No |
| Helmet Laws in Missouri | Universal | All | $ 25.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Montana | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 5.00 | Not Specified | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Nebraska | Universal | All | $ 50.00 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Nevada | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | 2 points | Less than 6 months | Yes |
| Motorcycle Helmet Laws in New Hampshire | None | N/A | $ – | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in New Jersey | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in New Mexico | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 300.00 | Not Specified | Less than 90 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in New York | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | Less than 30 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in North Carolina | Universal | All | $ 25.50 | No | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in North Dakota | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | 2 points | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Ohio | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 150.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Oklahoma | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | Not Specified | Less than 10 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Oregon | Universal | All | $ 90.00 | Not Specified | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Pennsylvania | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 25.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Rhode Island | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 85.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in South Carolina | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | Less than 30 days | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in South Dakota | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 500.00 | Not Specified | Less than 30 days | Yes |
| Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Tennessee | Universal | All | $ 50.00 | Not Specified | Less than 30 days | Yes |
| Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Texas | Age-Specific | Younger than 21 | $ 50.00 | Not Specified | None | No |
| Helmet Laws in Utah | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 750.00 | Not Specified | Less than 90 days | No |
| Helmet Laws in Vermont | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Virginia | Universal | All | $ 250.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Washington | Universal | All | $ 42.00 | Not Specified | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in West Virginia | Universal | All | $ 100.00 | Not Specified | Less than 10 days | Yes |
| Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Wisconsin | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 200.00 | No | None | Yes |
| Helmet Laws in Wyoming | Age-Specific | Younger than 18 | $ 200.00 | Not Specified | Less than 20 days | No |
