Passengers aged 21 and over are allowed to ride motorcycles without a helmet as long as the driver of the motorcycle is not legally required to wear a helmet. All drivers and passengers who ride motorcycles in Washington, D.C. must wear a helmet that meets the safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute. For example, not all motorcyclists in Pennsylvania are required to wear a helmet. However, when entering New York State, you and your passenger must wear not only helmets, but also protective shields or glasses. Although it repealed its Universal Helmet Law in 2003, helmets remain a mandatory equipment for anyone under the age of 21 when riding a motorcycle. Anyone who has held a licence for less than two years and who drives a motorcycle must wear a helmet or have taken a motorcycle safety course. Passengers, regardless of age, must wear a helmet if the law requires a person riding the motorcycle to wear a helmet. D.C. The law states that all motorcyclists and occupants must wear a helmet. Helmets must be approved by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles or meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for protective helmets for vehicle users, Standard Z90-.1-1966.
Recent research has generally supported the effectiveness of helmets and universal helmet laws. CDC Injury Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety – Motorcycle Safety Guide contains information about universal and partial laws about motorcycle helmets, how helmets reduce the risk of serious brain damage, as well as relevant data, resources, and links. The state repealed its Universal Helmet Law in 1976, which requires all motorcycle drivers to wear helmets. Until lawmakers decide otherwise, wearing a helmet while driving is optional, regardless of your age. Motorcycle drivers 21 years of age and older who have had a motorcycle driver`s license for at least two years or who have completed a motorcycle safety course approved by the Ministry of Motor Vehicles or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation are not required to wear a helmet. The Director of the Motor Vehicle shall be empowered and empowered to adopt rules and regulations concerning the types of helmets approved and their specifications, and to establish and maintain a list of approved helmets which comply with those specifications. Illinois law does not require motorcyclists or passengers to wear a helmet. However, it requires riders and pilots to wear eye protection such as glasses or goggles, unless their motorcycles are equipped with an unbreakable transparent shield. In California, anyone driving or riding a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
All helmets must comply with U.S. department of transportation and state safety standards and be fastened with the helmet straps. In West Virginia, all motorcyclists and passengers must wear a helmet securely attached by a neck or chin strap. The helmet must be designed to deflect impacts, resist penetration and distribute impact forces. The law requires helmets to meet current performance specifications established by federal law, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z 90.1 standard, or the Snell (Snell) safety standards for protective helmets for vehicle users. Footnote 6 In Michigan, the law requires all cyclists under the age of 21 to wear a helmet without exception. People over the age of 21 are only allowed to ride without a helmet if they have additional insurance and have taken a motorcycle safety course or have had their motorcycle confirmation for at least two years. Motorcycle occupants who wish to exercise this option must also be 21 years of age or older and take out additional insurance. ↩ Massachusetts law requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet. This also applies to anyone who drives in a sidecar.
If you are under the age of 21, you must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Florida. In general, motorcyclists aged 21 and over must also wear a helmet, but the law allows them to ride a helmet, provided the person has proof of health insurance offering coverage of at least $10,000 in the event of injuries while driving.