Helmet & Eyewear Safety

Are Helmets & Protective Eyewear Required when you ride a motorcycle or e-bike?

Helmet & Eyewear Requirements, by State

Boundless Rider advocates safety as a priority when riding a motorcycle or powersport vehicle, including the use of proper helmets and safety gear. Helmets provide vital protection to prevent or reduce head trauma in a motorcycle accident for both the rider and passenger. U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) approved helmets are the safest choice and may be required in some states. Full-face helmets offer greater protection than three-quarter and half helmets. A windscreen offers some protection from foreign objects and wind, but a rider’s eyes should also be protected by well-fitted protective eyewear. Although we recommend always wearing a DOT helmet and protective eyewear before riding in any state, be sure to check what is required in each state you plan to ride through, before hitting the road.

Below is a comprehensive list of helmet laws by state, and Washington D.C.

Alabama Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Helmets are not required for those riding in an enclosed sidecar.
Protective eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Alaska Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 18 who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person with an instructional permit, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required for all operators and passengers, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield at least 15 inches above the handlebars.

Arkansas Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 21, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet. This does not apply to three-wheeled motorcycles equipped with a cab and a windshield which does not exceed 20 horsepower.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required for all operators and passengers, regardless of age.

Arizona Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield.

California Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person who operates a motorcycle or motorized bicycle, must wear a helmet, regardless of age or training. The helmet must fit properly and be secured with straps. The unlawful use of a motorcycle without a helmet in California can result in a fine of up to $250 per offense.
Protective eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Colorado Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, motorized bicycle or motor-driven cycle must wear a helmet, regardless of age or training. The helmet must be U.S. DOT compliant, fit properly and be secured with straps. The unlawful use of a motorcycle without a helmet in California can result in a fine of up to $250 per offense and/or one year of probation.
Protective eyewear is not required by law, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Connecticut Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 18, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet. Anyone caught in violation of this rule is subject to a $90.00 fine.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Delaware Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 19, who operates or as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person, age of 19 or older, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must have a helmet in their possession while riding.
Protective eyewear is required for all operators or passengers under the age of 19.
Operators or passengers age 19 and older, must have protective eyewear in their possession while riding.

Florida Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 21, is required to wear a helmet.
Any person who is 21 or older without motorcycle insurance, is required to wear a helmet.
Any person, 21 or older covered by an insurance policy providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle related injuries, is not required to wear a helmet.
Florida requires all people, regardless of age, to wear eye protection while riding a motorcycle.
Anyone who is in an enclosed sidecar is not required to wear a helmet or protective eyewear but is highly recommended.

Georgia Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required for all operators and passengers unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Hawaii Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 18, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required for all operators and passengers, regardless of age, unless the bike is equipped with a windshield.

Idaho Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 18, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
Helmets are not required to be worn by any operator or passenger if the motorcycle is operated on private property or when used as an implement of husbandry.
Protective eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Illinois Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Helmets are not required by law in Illinois.
Protective eye protection must be worn for all operators and passengers unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Indiana Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 18, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law for anyone under the age of 18.

Iowa Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Helmets and protective eyewear are not required in Iowa but are highly recommended.

Kansas Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield that sits at least 10 inches above the handlebars.

Kentucky Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 21, who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet. .
Anyone with a learners permit, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear must be worn by all operators and passengers.

Louisiana Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, is required to wear a helmet.
Helmet laws do not apply to those operating an auto-cycle as long as the vehicle is equipped with a roof.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

Maine Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.
Anyone operating a motorcycle that is licensed or permitted for less than a year, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Maryland Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or sidecar must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle has a windshield.

Massachusetts Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or sidecar must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle has a windshield.

Michigan Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle under the age of 21, must wear a helmet.
Operators age 21 or older can choose not to wear a helmet if they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits and passed an approved safety course and/ or held a motorcycle license for at least two years.
Motorcycle passengers aged 21 and older, can choose not to wear a helmet, as long as they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits, in addition to the operator’s coverage.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield rated for 35 mph or greater but is highly recommended.

Minnesota Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.
Anyone with a learners permit, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

Mississippi Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Missouri Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle under the age of 26, must wear a helmet.
Anyone, regardless of age, with a learners permit is required to wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Operators age of 26 and over, helmets are not required with state approved minimum limits health insurance coverage.
Motorcycle passengers, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required by law, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Montana Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone, age 18 and under, operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Nebraska Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Nevada Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

New Hampshire Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Helmets are not required.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

New Jersey Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

New Mexico Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under the age of 18, operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

New York Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

North Carolina Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person operating a motorcycle or rides as a passenger is required to wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

North Dakota Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.
Any person, who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet
Eyewear is not required by law but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Ohio Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under the age of 18, operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Anyone having a ‘novice’ license, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Oklahoma Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet, while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Oregon Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is not required but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Pennsylvania Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under the age of 21, operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or auto-cycle, must wear a helmet.
Any person, 21 or older with at least two years of riding experience or has completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT, are not required to wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

Rhode Island Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating a motorcycle under the age of 21, must wear a helmet.
Any person licensed less than one (1) year, or has not completed an approved safety course, regardless of age, is required to wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
All passengers riding on a motorcycle must wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

South Carolina Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under age 21, operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required for anyone under the age of 21, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

South Dakota Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle under 18 must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a moped, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Tennessee Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Texas Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Any person under 21, must wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle.
Any person, age 21 or older, is required to wear a helmet, unless the rider has completed an approved motorcycle operator training course and has an active medical insurance coverage of at least $10,000 for injuries resulting in a motorcycle accident.
Protective eyewear is not required on-road, but it is required while riding off-road, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Utah Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone under 18, operating or riding as a motorcycle passenger, must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

Vermont Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Virginia Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Washington (State) Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Washington, D.C. Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet. The helmet must have weather-proof reflective stickers (4inches) on each side.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

West Virginia Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger must wear a helmet.
Any person who operates or rides a moped as a passenger, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law.

Wisconsin Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Operators and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet.
Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger with a permit, regardless of age, must wear a helmet.
Protective eyewear is required by law, unless the motorcycle is equipped with an approved windshield sitting at least 15 inches above the handlebars.

Wyoming Helmet and Eyewear Requirements

Anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle as a passenger, under the age of 18, must wear a helmet.
No protective eyewear is required by law, but is highly recommended when not wearing a full face or visored helmet.

Disclaimer: The content included on this website is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For complete and up-to-date information, please review the links within this article, section or page, and visit the applicable state and governmental agency websites.