New York Motorcycle Helmet Law

Also See: New York Motorcycle Insurance Laws or Motor Vehicle Accidents.

State Motorcycle helmets Bicycle helmets
(Local law may require helmet
use for some or all bicyclists)
Universal law
(covers all riders)		 Partial law
(covers young riders or some adult riders)		 Bicyclists covered by state law No state law
Alabama X 15 and younger
Alaska 17 and younger1 X
Arizona 17 and younger X
Arkansas 20 and younger X
California X 17 and younger
Colorado no motorcycle helmet use law X
Connecticut 17 and younger 15 and younger
Delaware 18 and younger 15 and younger
District of Columbia X 15 and younger
Florida 20 and younger2 15 and younger
Georgia X 15 and younger
Hawaii 17 and younger 15 and younger
Idaho 17 and younger X
Illinois no motorcycle helmet use law X
Indiana 17 and younger X
Iowa no motorcycle helmet use law X
Kansas 17 and younger X
Kentucky 20 and younger2,3 X
Louisiana X 11 and younger
Maine 14 and younger3 15 and younger
Maryland X 15 and younger
Massachusetts X 1 through 16 (riding with children younger than 1 prohibited)
Michigan X X
Minnesota 17 and younger3 X
Mississippi X X
Missouri X X
Montana 17 and younger X
Nebraska X X
Nevada X X
New Hampshire no motorcycle helmet use law 15 and younger (eff. 1/1/06)
New Jersey X 16 and younger
(eff. 3/1/06)
New Mexico 17 and younger X
New York X 1 through 13 (riding with children younger than 1 prohibited)
North Carolina X 15 and younger
North Dakota 17 and younger4 X
Ohio 17 and younger5 X
Oklahoma 17 and younger X
Oregon X 15 and younger
Pennsylvania 20 and younger6 11 and younger
Rhode Island 20 and younger6 15 and younger
South Carolina 20 and younger X
South Dakota 17 and younger X
Tennessee X 15 and younger
Texas 20 and younger2 X
Utah 17 and younger X
Vermont X X
Virginia X X
Washington X X
West Virginia X 14 and younger
Wisconsin 17 and younger3 X
Wyoming 18 and younger X

 

1Alaska’s motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits.

2In Florida and Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 yrs. wear helmets, without exception. In Florida, those 21 yrs. and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Texas exempts riders 21 yrs. or older if they either 1) can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or 2) can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws Lawyer New York

3Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also cover operators with instructional/learner’s permits. Maine’s motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 14 years and younger and passengers if their operators are required to wear a helmet.

4North Dakota’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law.

5Ohio’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law.

6Rhode Island’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators during the first year of licensure (regardless of age). Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensure unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Information provided by: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Highway Loss Data Institute

For more info or answers to questions, schedule a free consultation with Belluck & Fox, LLP recommended motorcycle accidents attorneys. You can also visit our NYC law office today.

 

 

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