Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State (2026): Who Has to Wear a Helmet
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Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet? It depends on where you ride. As of October 2026, 17 states and Washington, DC require every rider to wear a helmet, 30 states require helmets only for younger riders (and in some states for passengers, new riders or riders without insurance), and 3 states have no motorcycle helmet law at all: Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire.
The table below covers every state. It's based on the helmet law table published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Laws change, so check your state's DMV before you ride without a helmet. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Helmet laws at a glance
- All riders must wear a helmet (17 states + DC): Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
- Riders under 21 (11 states): Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
- Riders under 18 or 19 (18 states): Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware (under 19), Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
- Riders under 26 (1 state): Missouri.
- No helmet law (3 states): Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Motorcycle helmet laws by state
| State | Who must wear a helmet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | All riders | |
| Alaska | Under 18 | Also all passengers and riders with an instruction permit |
| Arizona | Under 18 | Mopeds not covered |
| Arkansas | Under 21 | |
| California | All riders | |
| Colorado | Under 18 | Riders and passengers under 18 |
| Connecticut | Under 21 | |
| Delaware | Under 19 | Also passengers under 19, and new riders and their passengers for 2 years after endorsement. Riders 19 and older must carry a helmet |
| District of Columbia | All riders | |
| Florida | Under 21 | Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet only with medical insurance |
| Georgia | All riders | Mopeds not covered |
| Hawaii | Under 18 | |
| Idaho | Under 18 | Mopeds not covered |
| Illinois | No helmet law | |
| Indiana | Under 18 | |
| Iowa | No helmet law | |
| Kansas | Under 18 | |
| Kentucky | Under 21 | Also instruction permit holders and riders licensed less than 1 year |
| Louisiana | All riders | |
| Maine | Under 18 | Also permit holders, first-year riders and their passengers |
| Maryland | All riders | |
| Massachusetts | All riders | |
| Michigan | Under 21 | Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet with extra insurance and either a safety course or 2 years with an endorsement |
| Minnesota | Under 18 | Also instruction permit holders |
| Mississippi | All riders | |
| Missouri | Under 26 | Also instruction permit holders. Riders 26 and older need proof of financial responsibility to ride without a helmet |
| Montana | Under 18 | |
| Nebraska | Under 21 | Also passengers under 21 or riding with an operator under 21. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet with a Class M license and the MSF Basic eCourse |
| Nevada | All riders | |
| New Hampshire | No helmet law | |
| New Jersey | All riders | |
| New Mexico | Under 18 | Mopeds not covered |
| New York | All riders | |
| North Carolina | All riders | |
| North Dakota | Under 18 | Also passengers riding with a covered operator |
| Ohio | Under 18 | Also first-year riders and their passengers |
| Oklahoma | Under 18 | Some mopeds and small motor-driven cycles not covered |
| Oregon | All riders | |
| Pennsylvania | Under 21 | Also riders in their first 2 years unless they completed an approved safety course |
| Rhode Island | Under 21 | Also all passengers and first-year riders |
| South Carolina | Under 21 | |
| South Dakota | Under 18 | |
| Tennessee | All riders | |
| Texas | Under 21 | Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet with a safety course or medical insurance |
| Utah | Under 21 | |
| Vermont | All riders | Small motor-driven cycles not covered |
| Virginia | All riders | |
| Washington | All riders | |
| West Virginia | All riders | |
| Wisconsin | Under 18 | Also instruction permit holders |
| Wyoming | Under 18 | Mopeds not covered |
Source: IIHS motorcycle helmet law table, October 2026. Several states also exclude mopeds or low-power bikes from their helmet law; the exact definitions vary, so check your state's rules if you ride a scooter or moped.
What makes a motorcycle helmet legal?
In states that require a helmet, it has to meet the federal safety standard for motorcycle helmets, FMVSS 218, often called "DOT approved." A DOT-certified helmet carries a permanent label on the back of the shell with the DOT symbol, the words "FMVSS No. 218 CERTIFIED" and the manufacturer's name and model. Thin "novelty" helmets with a stick-on DOT sticker don't meet the standard and aren't legal where a helmet is required.
- Learn how to tell real from fake in How to Spot a Fake DOT Helmet.
- Read what the standard covers on our DOT certification page.
- Every GDM helmet is DOT-certified to FMVSS 218. Shop all DOT approved motorcycle helmets.
Passengers, permits and new riders
Many states that only require helmets for young riders also cover passengers, riders with an instruction permit, or riders in their first year or two of licensing, whatever their age. If you're carrying a passenger or just got your endorsement, check the notes for your state before you leave the helmet at home.
Riding in another state
Helmet laws follow the road, not your license plate. When you cross a state line, the law of the state you're riding in applies. A rider from Illinois heading into Indiana is fine at 25 without a helmet, but needs one the moment they cross into a state like Tennessee or California. If you're planning a trip, bring a helmet that's legal in every state on your route.
Why wear a helmet even where it's not required
NHTSA, the federal highway safety agency, estimates that helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41% effective for passengers. A good full face helmet also cuts wind noise and fatigue and keeps bugs, rain and debris off your face. If your helmet is uncomfortable, the problem is usually fit: our helmet fit guide and size chart can help.
Motorcycle helmet law FAQ
Which states have no motorcycle helmet law?
Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no motorcycle helmet law for any age.
Do you have to wear a helmet in California?
Yes. California requires every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-certified helmet.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Florida?
Riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older can ride without one only if they're covered by a medical insurance policy.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Texas?
Riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older can ride without one if they've completed an approved motorcycle safety course or have medical insurance.
Does a helmet law apply to passengers?
In all-rider states, yes. In other states it varies: some cover passengers of any age, some only young passengers. See the notes column above.
Does my helmet have to be DOT approved?
Yes, wherever a helmet is required, it must meet FMVSS 218. Look for the DOT label on the back of the shell.
