Helmet Laws in the United States

Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exciting. Traveling at very fast speeds and through different terrains gives the rider an adventure that’s hard to compare to anything else. Even with the thrills of riding a motorcycle, Safety of the rider and passengers is of utmost concern. Wearing a helmet can actually save your live. United States helmet laws do vary from state to state, and checking your state’s laws, and any other states you plan on riding in, would be a wise thing to do.

Most states have some type of helmet laws that are required for the rider. All the West Coast states, along with most of the Southern states, have comprehensive helmet laws. In those states it does not matter who is riding- you must wear a helmet. Others states carry limited helmet laws on their books. Most of the Midwestern states have laws where the age of the rider or the type and size of the motorcycle determine if a helmet is required or not. Currently the states of Iowa and Illinois have no helmet laws of any kind, although they do have laws relating to motorcycle usage.

If your state requires the use of a helmet or, if you just decide to wear one out of your own safety concerns, the helmet that you wear has to adhere to certain safety standards. The Department of Transportation's stamp of approval should be on the helmet that you choose to wear. The DOT maintains and regulates specific standards for motorcycle helmets.