Which States Have Motorcycle Helmet Laws?

Motorcycle helmet laws are meant to provide you with protection against accidents. Since individuals who operate motorcycles are more likely to be involved in an accident that is more commonly deadly, wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of death or permanent disability. If you operate a motorcycle or plan to do so, it is important to have the right type of protection in place for all of your risks. This includes motorcycle insurance and the right protective gear. You also need to know the laws for operating a motorcycle in any given area.

The helmet laws in the United States vary significantly from one state to the next, and they are often changing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that, as of the time of this writing, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws in place requiring riders to wear helmets. These are commonly referred to as universal helmet laws. In these states, you must wear a helmet to operate a bike. Those states include:

• Washington
• Oregon
• California
• Nevada
• Vermont
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• West Virginia
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Georgia
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Louisiana

Other states have laws as well, but these vary from one location to the next. In 28 states, there are laws in place that require only some motorcycle riders to wear helmets. In the states of New Hampshire, Iowa and Illinois, there are no laws requiring the use of helmets. To find out what the specific laws are in your state, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. When you register your bike to use on the roadways, you can also learn more about the requirements for wearing a helmet.

Do you wear one? Even if it is not a requirement for wearing a helmet in your state, doing so is always a good idea. It provides you with significantly increased protection against accidents. While your motorcycle insurance is there to help cover the losses you face to your bike, it cannot help to restore your health and well-being after a significant accident. Take a closer look at modern, comfortable helmets that you can feel good about using while you are enjoying your bike.