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The following is a recent summary of US helmet laws from the Insurance
Institute of Highway Safety website (updated 6-2006):
|
|
Motorcycle helmets |
|
Universal law |
Partial law |
|
(covers all riders) |
(covers young riders or some adult riders) |
|
Alabama |
X |
|
|
Alaska |
|
17 and younger
1 |
|
Arizona |
|
17 and younger |
|
Arkansas |
|
20 and younger |
|
California |
X |
|
|
Colorado |
no motorcycle helmet use law |
|
|
Connecticut |
|
17 and younger |
|
Delaware |
|
18 and younger |
|
District of Columbia |
X |
|
|
Florida |
|
20 and younger
2 |
|
Georgia |
X |
|
|
Hawaii |
|
17 and younger |
|
Idaho |
|
17 and younger |
|
Illinois |
no motorcycle helmet use law |
|
|
Indiana |
|
17 and younger |
|
Iowa |
no motorcycle helmet use law |
|
|
Kansas |
|
17 and younger |
|
Kentucky |
|
20 and younger
2,3 |
|
Louisiana |
X |
|
|
Maine |
|
14 and younger
3 |
|
Maryland |
X |
|
|
Massachusetts |
X |
|
|
Michigan |
X |
|
|
Minnesota |
|
17 and younger
3 |
|
Mississippi |
X |
|
|
Missouri |
X |
|
|
Montana |
|
17 and younger |
|
Nebraska |
X |
|
|
Nevada |
X |
|
|
New Hampshire |
no motorcycle helmet use law |
|
|
New Jersey |
X |
|
|
New Mexico |
|
17 and younger |
|
New York |
X |
|
|
North Carolina |
X |
|
|
North Dakota |
|
17 and younger
4 |
|
Ohio |
|
17 and younger
5 |
|
Oklahoma |
|
17 and younger |
|
Oregon |
X |
|
|
Pennsylvania |
|
20 and younger
6 |
|
Rhode Island |
|
20 and younger
6 |
|
South Carolina |
|
20 and younger |
|
South Dakota |
|
17 and younger |
|
Tennessee |
X |
|
|
Texas |
|
20 and younger
2 |
|
Utah |
|
17 and younger |
|
Vermont |
X |
|
|
Virginia |
X |
|
|
Washington |
X |
|
|
West Virginia |
X |
|
|
Wisconsin |
|
17 and younger
3 |
|
Wyoming |
|
18 and younger |
The following table comes from a website I found. I can't guarantee
it's accuracy but it's last update was 11/04. If notice an error, please
e-mail info@rmhfaq.com.
|
State |
Daytime |
Eye |
Radar/Kids |
Yearly |
Lane* |
Blood Alcohol |
|
Headlights |
Protection |
/Earphones |
Inspections |
Sharing |
Over 21 |
Under 21 |
|
Alabama |
|
|
|
|
Yes |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Alaska |
Required |
Required |
|
Random |
Yes |
0.08 |
0 |
|
Arizona |
|
Required |
|
Yes |
Yes |
0.08 |
0.08 |
|
Arkansas |
Required |
Required |
|
Random |
|
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
California |
Required |
|
1 Ear Only |
Random |
Yes* |
0.08 |
0.01 |
|
Colorado |
|
Required |
|
Random |
Yes |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Connecticut |
Required |
Required |
|
Random |
Yes |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Delaware |
|
Required |
|
Yes |
|
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Florida |
Required |
Required |
|
|
Yes |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Georgia |
Required |
Required |
No Music |
|
Yes |
0.08 |
0.02 |
|
Hawaii |
|
Required |
No Pass Under 7 |
Yes |
|