HelmetMap

Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State

Look up motorcycle helmet laws for every U.S. state — universal, partial, and no-helmet-law states explained side by side.

Pick your state to see its motorcycle helmet law at a glance — whether helmets are required for everyone, only younger riders, or nobody at all.

All 50 States

Compare the rules

Reviewed by L. Morgan, motorcycle safety editor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common type of helmet law?

Most states are either universal (all riders) or partial (riders under a set age). Only Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire have no statewide law.

What does a universal helmet law mean?

It means every motorcycle operator and passenger must wear a DOT-approved helmet, with no age exemption. See the universal vs partial guide for the full list.

Where can I see the fines?

The fines by state page lists the helmet violation fine range for every state, with higher maximums in a few states like Florida and Kentucky.