No helmet law
All rider helmet law
Law allows adult freedom of choice

Except as noted below, all states except Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire require helmets to be worn at all times when operating a motorcycle. This includes the District of Columbia. The following are conditions or exceptions of that requirement for the states listed.

ALASKA

9

ARIZONA

4

ARKANSAS

6

CONNECTICUT

4

DELAWARE

1, 7

HAWAII

1, 4

IDAHO

4

INDIANA

4, 11

KANSAS

4
KENTUCKY 6

MAINE

3

MARYLAND

1

MINNESOTA

4, 11

MONTANA

4

NEW HAMPSHIRE

4

NEW JERSEY

1

NEW MEXICO

1, 4

NORTH DAKOTA

1, 4

OHIO

4, 8

OKLAHOMA

4

RHODE ISLAND

5

SOUTH CAROLINA

1, 6

SOUTH DAKOTA

4

TEXAS

10

UTAH

4

VERMONT

1

WISCONSIN

4, 11

WYOMING

4

        

Legend:

  1. Reflectorization.

  2. Where speeds exceed 35 MPH.

  3. With learner's permit; for 1 year after obtaining license; & passenger under 15 years.

  4. Under 18 years.

  5. Operators under 21 years; for 1 year after obtaining license; & for all passengers.

  6. Under 21 years.

  7. Possession by all; wear under 19 years; & by instruction permit holders.

  8. Novice license holders.

  9. Operators under 18 years and all passengers.

  10. Except for 21 years and over with rider ed or with health insurance with $10,000 medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.

  11. Instructional permit holders.

This information is from the Motorcycle Industry Council and is based on the most authoritative sources as of the date shown above. The MIC assumes no responsibility for accuracy or completeness.