Motorcycle Laws by State: What You Need to Know
Alabama
In Alabama, motorcycle riders must wear a DOT-approved helmet if they are under 16 or if they have not held a motorcycle license for at least a year. Eye protection is also mandatory unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Alabama has a minimum age of 14 for motorcycle instruction permits.
Alaska
Alaska requires all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, regardless of age. The state has a Graduated Licensing System, allowing riders as young as 16 to obtain a permit after passing a written test. Riders must also have a motorcycle endorsement after a skills test.
Arizona
In Arizona, adults over the age of 18 are not required to wear helmets. However, it is recommended. Riders must complete a Basic Rider Course to ride without a motorcycle endorsement. There is no minimum age for obtaining a motorcycle permit, but all riders must have insurance.
Arkansas
Arkansas mandates that all motorcycle operators and passengers wear helmets. Riders must be at least 14 to obtain a motorcycle permit, which requires passing a written test. A skills test is needed for a full motorcycle endorsement.
California
California has strict motorcycle laws, requiring all riders to wear a helmet at all times. The state also mandates the use of reflective equipment for both riders and bikes. California is known for its rider training programs, where completion can waive the road test requirement.
Colorado
In Colorado, riders over 18 may forgo wearing helmets if they are insured. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to utilize them. Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement, and the minimum age to apply for a motorcycle license is 16.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, and the minimum age for a motorcycle license is 16. The state offers a Motorcycle Safety Program; completing the program can exempt new riders from the road skills test.
Delaware
Delaware mandates that all motorcycle riders wear helmets, regardless of age. The minimum age for getting a motorcycle permit is 16, and completing a safety course can help riders bypass the skills test.
Florida
In Florida, riders 21 and older are not required to wear helmets if they have at least $10,000 of medical insurance. The minimum age for a motorcycle license is 16, and riders must pass a written and skills test to obtain their endorsement.
Georgia
Georgia requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15, and riders must complete a safety course to avoid taking the on-road skills test.
Hawaii
Hawaii mandates helmet usage for all motorcycle riders. The minimum age to ride is 15 with a learner’s permit, and riders must complete a motorcycle safety course or pass a skills test for full licensing.
Idaho
In Idaho, riders over 18 are not required to wear helmets, although it is encouraged. Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement and can apply for a learner’s permit at 14, but must be 16 for a full license.
Illinois
Illinois is unique in not having a mandatory helmet law; however, it is advised. Riders must hold a motorcycle license, and the minimum age to receive one is 18, although 16-year-olds may apply with parental consent.
Indiana
In Indiana, riders under 18 must wear helmets; those over 18 are not required to do so. A motorcycle learner’s permit is available at 15, and riders must pass a skills test for a full endorsement.
Iowa
Iowa does not require helmets for riders over 18 but strongly recommends them. Riders must hold a motorcycle endorsement, and the state offers several training programs that can waive the skills test for new riders.
Kansas
Kansas does not have a helmet law for riders over 18. However, individuals are encouraged to wear them. A motorcycle license requires a skills test, and the minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 14.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, all riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders are advised to complete a safety course, which could lead to a waiver of the skills test. The minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 16.
Louisiana
Louisiana mandates that all motorcycle riders wear helmets. The minimum age to obtain a motorcycle permit is 15, and riders must pass both a written and skills test to gain full endorsement.
Maine
Maine requires that all motorcycle operators and passengers wear helmets. Riders must obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit by passing a written test, and the minimum age for a full endorsement is 16.
Maryland
In Maryland, helmet use is required for all riders. A Motorcycle Safety Program is available, and completion could waive the skills test requirement. The minimum age to apply for a motorcycle permit is 16.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts enforces a strict helmet law, requiring all operators and passengers to wear helmets. A learner’s permit can be obtained at age 16, with accompanying restrictions, and a road test is necessary for a full license.
Michigan
In Michigan, riders over 21 may choose to ride without a helmet if they carry at least $20,000 in medical benefits. The minimum age to get a motorcycle license is 17 with proper education.
Minnesota
Minnesota requires riders to wear helmets until they reach 18. The state also mandates motorcycle endorsements, with a minimum age of 16 to obtain a learner’s permit.
Mississippi
Mississippi has no helmet law for riders over 18 but encourages helmet use. The state requires a motorcycle endorsement for all riders, and riders can obtain a learner’s permit as young as 15.
Missouri
In Missouri, helmet use is not mandatory for adult riders. However, all motorcycle riders must have a license. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15, and the state requires a skills test for full licensing.
Montana
Montana requires all riders to wear a helmet until they reach 18. A motorcycle endorsement is required, and the minimum age for a learner’s permit is 15.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, riders of all ages must wear helmets. The state requires a motorcycle endorsement, and the minimum age for a learner’s permit is 16.
Nevada
Nevada requires helmets for riders under 18. Riders must complete training and demonstrate skills to obtain a license. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15 and a half.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the only state with no mandatory helmet law, although it is strongly encouraged. The minimum age for a motorcycle license is 16, and riders must successfully pass a skills test.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, all riders are required to wear a helmet. The state offers an approved safety course, and completion can waive the on-road skills test for endorsement. The minimum age for a learner’s permit is 17.
New Mexico
New Mexico requires helmets for riders under 18. The minimum age to obtain a motorcycle permit is 15, and completion of a safety course can help to avoid the road test.
New York
New York does not allow any motorcycle operator or passenger to ride without a helmet. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 16, and the state requires a skills test for endorsement.
North Carolina
North Carolina enforces a helmet law for riders under 18. The minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 16, with all riders required to obtain an endorsement.
North Dakota
North Dakota has no helmet requirement for adult riders but strongly advises helmets. The minimum age to apply for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 14, while riders must pass both written and skills tests for a full license.
Ohio
In Ohio, helmet use is optional for riders 18 and older, but it is recommended. The minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 15, and riders must pass a skills test for full endorsement.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires helmets for all riders under 18. The state allows 16-year-olds to apply for a motorcycle permit, requiring both written and skills tests for a full license.
Oregon
Oregon mandates helmet use for all motorcycle riders. Riders must complete a safety course or pass a skills test for endorsement. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires all riders under 21 to wear helmets, while those 21 and older may ride without one if they have proper insurance. The minimum age to apply for a motorcycle permit is 16, and learners must complete a skills test.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island mandates that all motorcycle operators wear helmets. To obtain a permit, riders must be at least 16 years old and complete a safety course or a skills test.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, riders over 21 are not required to wear helmets if they have insurance. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15, and the state also requires riders to pass both a written and skills test.
South Dakota
South Dakota does not require helmets for adult riders but recommends helmet use. There are no age restrictions for a motorcycle permit, but riding without a helmet can lead to serious injuries.
Tennessee
Tennessee mandates that all motorcycle riders wear helmets, regardless of age. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15. Completion of a Basic Rider Course can waive the skills test.
Texas
Texas requires helmets for riders under 21 but recommends that all riders wear them. Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement and can apply at age 15 with a learner’s permit.
Utah
Utah requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. A motorcycle permit can be issued at age 15. Riders must pass both a written and skills test to gain a full license.
Vermont
Vermont strongly advocates for helmet use but does not have a mandatory law for adults. The minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit is 16, and riders must pass the required exams for licensing.
Virginia
In Virginia, only riders under 21 are required to wear helmets. A motorcycle learner’s permit is available at age 15 and a half, and riders must successfully complete a safety course or pass a skills test.
Washington
Washington requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 16, and riders must pass both knowledge and skills tests for full licensing.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, helmet use is mandatory for riders under 21. The minimum age for a motorcycle permit is 15, but riders must also pass a written test and skills test.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has no mandatory helmet law for riders over 18, but it is advised. Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement, and the minimum age for applying for a motorcycle permit is 16.
Wyoming
Wyoming does not have a mandatory helmet law for adult riders, though it strongly recommends wearing one. Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement, and the minimum age for a learner’s permit is 15.