Updated October 2026
Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State (2026)
17 states and DC require each motorcycle rider to wear a helmet. Most others only require it for younger motorcyclists, generally under 18 or under 21, and 3 states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) have no helmet law at all.
Click a state on the map to read helmet laws by state in that state, or use the table to rank them.
Our overview of helmet laws by state covers all 50 states and DC, with a map, a sortable table and a page for each state.
Motorcycle helmet laws: all states
| State | Helmet required for | Type of law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | All riders | Universal |
| Alaska | Under 18 | Partial |
| Arizona | Under 18 | Partial |
| Arkansas | Under 21 | Partial |
| California | All riders | Universal |
| Colorado | Under 18 | Partial |
| Connecticut | Under 21 | Partial |
| Delaware | Under 19 | Partial |
| District of Columbia | All riders | Universal |
| Florida | Under 21 | Partial |
| Georgia | All riders | Universal |
| Hawaii | Under 18 | Partial |
| Idaho | Under 18 | Partial |
| Illinois | No helmet law | None |
| Indiana | Under 18 | Partial |
| Iowa | No helmet law | None |
| Kansas | Under 18 | Partial |
| Kentucky | Under 21 | Partial |
| Louisiana | All riders | Universal |
| Maine | Under 18 | Partial |
| Maryland | All riders | Universal |
| Massachusetts | All riders | Universal |
| Michigan | Under 21 | Partial |
| Minnesota | Under 18 | Partial |
| Mississippi | All riders | Universal |
| Missouri | Under 26 | Partial |
| Montana | Under 18 | Partial |
| Nebraska | Under 21 | Partial |
| Nevada | All riders | Universal |
| New Hampshire | No helmet law | None |
| New Jersey | All riders | Universal |
| New Mexico | Under 18 | Partial |
| New York | All riders | Universal |
| North Carolina | All riders | Universal |
| North Dakota | Under 18 | Partial |
| Ohio | Under 18 | Partial |
| Oklahoma | Under 18 | Partial |
| Oregon | All riders | Universal |
| Pennsylvania | Under 21 | Partial |
| Rhode Island | Under 21 | Partial |
| South Carolina | Under 21 | Partial |
| South Dakota | Under 18 | Partial |
| Tennessee | All riders | Universal |
| Texas | Under 21 | Partial |
| Utah | Under 21 | Partial |
| Vermont | All riders | Universal |
| Virginia | All riders | Universal |
| Washington | All riders | Universal |
| West Virginia | All riders | Universal |
| Wisconsin | Under 18 | Partial |
| Wyoming | Under 18 | Partial |
Three kinds of helmet laws
A universal helmet law covers every rider and passenger. A partial law only covers motorcyclists below a certain age, and sometimes new riders or motorcyclists with a learner's permit. A few states let adults ride without a helmet only if they carry extra medical insurance or have taken a safety course.
Missouri has the highest age cutoff: since 2020, riders 26 and older with health insurance can ride without a helmet.
Riding through several states?
Helmet laws apply to everyone on the road, including travelers. On a road trip, the strictest state on your route decides: wearing a DOT-compliant helmet the whole way keeps you legal everywhere.
How regions differ on helmet laws by state
By census region, helmet laws by state break down this way:
The sortable table shows helmet laws by state with a link to each state guide.
- Midwest: 1 under 26, 2 under 21, 7 under 18 or 19, 2 no helmet law.
- Northeast: 4 all motorcyclists, 3 under 21, 1 under 18 or 19, 1 no helmet law.
- South: 10 all riders, 5 under 21, 2 under 18 or 19.
- West: 4 all riders, 1 under 21, 8 under 18 or 19.
The stricter and looser states on helmet laws by state
At the stricter end are Alabama (All motorcyclists), California (All riders), District of Columbia (All motorcyclists) and Georgia (All riders).
The looser states you find New Hampshire (No helmet law), Iowa (No helmet law), Illinois (No helmet law) and Wyoming (Under 18).
Each state guide explains helmet laws by state in depth, with neighbors and local tips.
Questions about helmet laws by state
Which states do not have a motorcycle helmet law?
Only Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no helmet law for any rider.
How many states require helmets for all riders?
17 states plus the District of Columbia have a universal helmet law.
Do helmets save lives?
NHTSA estimates that helmets are roughly 37% effective in preventing deaths among motorcyclists and 41% among passengers.
How do I confirm helmet laws by state for my state?
Pick your state from the table or map; each state page links to the official sources and indicates the review date.
How fast do helmet laws by state change?
Most changes take effect on January 1 or July 1 following a legislative session; we review the data at least twice a year and show the date on every page.
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