Table 2-5: Helmet Use Laws: 20051,,,, ,,,, 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 11 New Jersey,,All riders,,Younger than 17 12 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 September 1, 2005; 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; 11Law becomes effective January 1, 2006; 12Law becomes effective March 1, 2006.",,,, "SOURCE: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-Highway Loss Data Institute, Helmet Use Laws, available at http://www.hwysafety.org/laws/state_laws/helmet_current.html as of Sept. 19, 2005.",,,,