Table 2-5: Helmet Use Laws: 20061,,,,
,,,,
State,Motorcycle riders covered by helmet law,Bicycle riders covered by helmet law,,
Alabama,All riders,Younger than 16,,
Alaska,Younger than 18 2,No law,,
Arizona,Younger than 18,No law,,
Arkansas,Younger than 21,No law,,
California,All riders,Younger than 18,,
Colorado,No law,No law,,
Connecticut,Younger than 18,Younger than 16,,
Delaware,Younger than 19,Younger than 16,,
District of Columbia,All riders,Younger than 16,,
Florida,Younger than 21 3,Younger than 16,,
Georgia,All riders,Younger than 16,,
Hawaii,Younger than 18,Younger than 16,,
Idaho,Younger than 18,No law,,
Illinois,No law,No law
Indiana,Younger than 18,No law
Iowa,No law,No law
Kansas,Younger than 18,No law
Kentucky,"Younger than 21 3,4",No law
Louisiana,All riders,Younger than 12
Maine,Younger than 15 5,Younger than 16
Maryland,All riders,Younger than 16
Massachusetts,All riders, Younger than 17 10
Michigan,All riders,No law
Minnesota,Younger than 18 4,No law
Mississippi,All riders,No law
Missouri,All riders,No law
Montana,Younger than 18,No law
Nebraska,All riders,No law
Nevada,All riders,No law
New Hampshire,No law,Younger than 16
New Jersey,All riders,Younger than 17
New Mexico,Younger than 18,No law
New York,All riders,Younger than 14 10
North Carolina,All riders,Younger than 16
North Dakota,Younger than 18 6,No law
Ohio,Younger than 18 7,No law
Oklahoma,Younger than 18,No law
Oregon,All riders,Younger than 16
Pennsylvania,Younger than 21 8,Younger than 12
Rhode Island,Younger than 21 9,Younger than 16
South Carolina,Younger than 21 ,No law
South Dakota,Younger than 18,No law
Tennessee,All riders,Younger than 16
Texas,Younger than 21 3,No law
Utah,Younger than 18,No law
Vermont,All riders,No law,
Virginia,All riders,No law,
Washington,All riders,No law,
West Virginia,All riders,Younger than 15,
Wisconsin,Younger than 18 4,No law,
Wyoming,Younger than 19 ,No law,
,,,
"1Laws in effect as of June 2006; 2Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, drivers younger than 18, and drivers with instructional permits; 3Florida, Kentucky, and Texas provide exceptions for riders over a certain age. In Florida and Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. In Florida, those 21 years 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 years and older if they can prove they either have successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course or if they can show proof of having a medical insurance policy; 4Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also cover drivers with instructional or learner's permits; 5Maine's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers 14 years and younger, drivers with learner's permits, and passengers if their drivers are required to wear a helmet; 6North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers travelling with drivers who are covered by the law;  ",,,
7Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers; 8Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first two years of licensure unless the driver has completed the safety course approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation; 9Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers; 10Bicycle helmet use laws in Massachusetts and New York prohibit people from transporting passengers younger than 1 year old.,,,
"SOURCE: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-Highway Loss Data Institute, Helmet Use Laws, available at  http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/helmet_current.html as of Oct. 10, 2006.",,,