Helmet Law by State

Motorcycle helmet law by state dictates that none, young riders or all riders are by required to wear a helmet. The four states with no helmet laws are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire.

The 20 states with mandatory helmet law:

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

The other 23 states' motorcycle law is not universal--that is, varies with age. Persons under the age of 15, 18, 19 or 21 are required to wear helmets. Three states have age and insurance requirements for motorcycle helmet law.