Motorcycle Helmet Laws: What You Should Know

Motorcycles grow more popular in the U.S. with each passing year. There's no better way to spend your day off in The Big A than cruising around its busy streets, enjoying a ride past Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta, or making your way to the relaxed outskirts of town. Riding a hog has become its own subculture, inviting people who love the thrill of riding to come together and create a community.

Recently, the increase in interest has been spurred by affordability issues and access to reliable modes of transportation. Motorcycles, generally costing less than other vehicles to manufacture due to the limited amount of materials required, have been embraced as a mode of daily transportation and a catalyst for grand adventures. Many people embark on coast-to-coast rides, taking in all our country has to offer.

Unfortunately, the rise in enjoyment is accompanied by another rise—one in motorcycle accidents. One of the most critical factors in limiting injury severity caused by an accident involves a simple tool: a helmet. Whether you stay close to home or choose the adventurer's lifestyle—and whether you decide to wear a helmet or not—can be challenging. To help you decide what to do, let Steelhorse Law show you the facts.

Motorcycle Laws in Georgia

As an avid biker and resident of Georgia, knowing and abiding by the Peach State's motorcycle-related laws is crucial. Doing so is the first step to keeping yourself and those you share the road with safe when riding. On that note, let's review motorcycle laws and motorcycle helmet laws in Georgia:

Bikers must possess a Class M license or Class M Instructional Permit to operate a motorcycle in Georgia (Department of Driver Services, DDS)
Riders must use DOT-approved eye protection unless a bike has a windshield (Georgia Code § 40-6-31)
Riders must not ride between lanes or on traffic lines (Georgia Code § 40-6-312)
Passengers can only ride if there is a designated space for them or a single seat is big enough to carry two people safely (Georgia Code §40-6-311)
Handlebars cannot be higher than 15 inches from the seat (Georgia Code §40-6-314)
Taillights and headlights must be on at all times (Georgia Code § 40-6-312)
Every motorcycle operator must carry $25,000 bodily injury liability per person/$50,00 per accident and $25,000 of property damage (Georgia Code §40-6-11)
Motorcycles must have at least one mirror to see 200 feet behind the vehicle (Georgia Code §40-8-72)

Helmet Laws According to the States

So, what states have motorcycle helmet laws? Of all 50 states, 47 have at least one law pertaining to wearing a helmet; Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire are the only three states that do not. However, only 18 mandate helmets for all riders. All remaining states have age-specific helmet laws. States that require the use of a helmet for all riders include:

Alabama
California
The District of Columbia
Georgia
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia

Also referred to as states with "universal helmet laws," data gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2022 indicates that these states saw 94% of riders adhere to the law. In these states, 83% of helmets used were compliant with federal safety regulations, compared to only 68% in states without universal laws.

Age-Specific Helmet Laws

Most states opted to design motorcycle helmet laws based on a rider's age and insurance. Thirty states use age as their baseline for helmet use. A helmet must be worn if under the age specified in the law. The states with age-specific helmet laws include:

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Under 18

This age represents coming of age in many ways in our country. As such, 18 states opted to draw the line at "adulthood." If you reside in or are traveling through any of the following states and are 17 or younger, you must wear a helmet:

Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Minnesota
Montana
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Under 19

Delaware is the only state that chose nineteen as the benchmark for helmet choice. If you are 18 or younger and reside in or are traveling through Delaware, you must wear a helmet. The only exception to this rule is for novice riders and their passengers during the first two years after endorsement. Additionally, in Delaware, if you are 19 or older, you must carry an approved helmet with you when operating a motorcycle.

Under 21

There are 10 states with age-restriction helmet laws applying to the under-21 crowd. If you reside in, or are traveling through, any of the following states and are 20 or younger, you must wear a helmet:

Arkansas
Florida
Kentucky
Michigan
Nebraska
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah

Under 25

Missouri is the only state that chose 25 as the benchmark for helmet choice. If you are 24 or younger, residing in or traveling through Missouri, you must wear a helmet.

With so many diverse rules and regulations nationwide, doing your homework before setting out on a multi-state ride is important. The best course of action is to always have a helmet with you. It's easy to stow on your bike if you choose not to wear it in the states that allow it.

Why Should I Wear a Helmet?

It's easy to get caught up in the legality of helmet-wearing, but the bottom line is simple: wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle is a safety feature. While only some states require helmet use for each rider, all are strongly encouraged to do so. Why? Well, let's see:

Unhelmeted riders face a much higher risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury or dying (Science Direct).
Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% for riders and 41% for passengers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
Helmets shield you from the elements (rain, snow, and sun).
Helmets prevent 67% of brain injuries (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS).
Helmets protect you from road debris (falling rocks, blowing dust, or materials from another vehicle).
Helmets make it easier to see other drivers as they increase your body mass.

Helmets and Insurance

While wearing a helmet may not directly impact your insurance rates, it can indirectly do so. Much like passengers in cars click their seat belts every time they get in, putting on your helmet dramatically reduces the potential bodily damage you'll incur in the event of an accident. Essentially, reduced severity + lower claims = lower insurance premiums. This makes sense when factoring in variables from the number of states nationwide with different laws.

Generally, states with universal helmet laws tend to have lower insurance rates due to the already calculated reduced injury risk. However, no matter their severity, accidents will undoubtedly impact your insurance rates regardless of where you live. Wearing a helmet is a proactive safety measure and is also why many riders don't have to file a claim with their insurance company after an incidental accident.

You love your motorcycle and want to be safe enough to ride another day. To ensure you get the chance to do that, choose a safe motorcycle helmet. Before heading out on a ride, always review your local laws and those from any other state you plan to cross.

How Our Steelhorse Laws Motorcycle Attorneys Can Help You

When you've experienced the trauma of a severe motorcycle accident, you deserve legal representation from a team that is experienced and highly skilled. When you select Steelhorse Law as your lawyer, you're promised a passionate, dedicated team that has your back.

Don't waste any more precious time—call and schedule a free consultation with us today. For legal representation that enters the fight with your best interests in mind, choose Steelhorse Law.