Motorcycle laws by state (2026): helmets, licenses and lane splitting
How state motorcycle rules on helmets, licenses, training and lane splitting compare
Picture a 20 year old rider heading west from Iowa, which has no helmet law. Across the river in Nebraska, riders under 21 must wear one. Farther west in Colorado, the helmet rule stops at 18. Riders there may filter past stopped cars [1, 9]. Same rider, same bike, three rule books.
That patchwork matters because riding carries real risk. In 2024, 6,228 motorcyclists died on U.S. roads, 16% of all traffic deaths, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports [4].
This guide sorts state motorcycle laws into nine provisions and shows what the research says. It ends with a checklist and a fast way to verify any state’s rules.
Helmet laws: where the states stand
Helmet laws come in three forms. A universal law covers every rider. A partial law covers only some riders, usually by age, and sometimes new riders, permit holders or passengers. A few states have no helmet law at all.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Helmet rule (IIHS table, October 2026) | States |
|---|---|
| All riders (17 states + DC) | Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, District of Columbia |
| Riders under 21 (11 states) | Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah |
| Riders under 18 (17 states) | Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Other age limits (2 states) | Delaware (under 19, plus new riders for 2 years after endorsement); Missouri (under 26, plus permit holders) |
| No helmet law (3 states) | Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire |
Source: IIHS [1]. Grouping is ours. Many states exempt mopeds or other small motorcycle type vehicles.
GHSA lists the same 17 universal law states plus DC and four U.S. territories. Its summary says 29 states have partial laws, though its state by state list shows 30 [2].
Partial laws often add fine print. Alaska, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island and Wisconsin also cover permit holders or first year riders. Pennsylvania covers riders in their first 2 years unless they complete an approved course. Alaska and Rhode Island require helmets for all passengers [1].
Recent changes
- Michigan (2012): exempted riders 21 and older with at least $20,000 in medical coverage. They must also have passed a safety course or held an endorsement for 2 years [3].
- Delaware (July 30, 2023): added a helmet requirement for all riders during their first 2 years after getting an endorsement [2].
- Nebraska (January 1, 2024): exempted riders 21 and older who show proof of a rider training course [3]. The IIHS table says a 3 hour Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) eCourse qualifies [1].
NHTSA’s Countermeasures That Work guide still counted 18 universal law states as of October 2021 [6]. Nebraska’s change explains why the count is now 17.
DOT certified helmets vs. novelty helmets
A helmet law protects you only if the helmet does. NHTSA tells riders to look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. It means the maker certifies that the helmet meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 [5].
Official guidance in Pennsylvania, Washington and New York ties the helmet requirement to that federal standard [12, 13, 14]. So a thin “novelty” helmet may not satisfy the law where one is required. It also fails the safety test. In a study NHTSA cites, riders in novelty helmets had 2.26 times the fatal injury risk of riders in compliant helmets [6]. Our guide to motorcycle helmet safety covers standards and fit.
Do helmet laws save lives?
The evidence is strong. NHTSA estimates that helmets are 37% effective in preventing deaths for riders and 41% for passengers. Helmets saved an estimated 1,872 lives in 2017. Another 749 could have been saved if every rider had worn one [7]. That is NHTSA’s latest published lives saved estimate we found.
NHTSA’s guide gives universal helmet laws 5 stars, its top effectiveness rating. In one review it cites, helmet use was 53 percentage points higher in universal law states [6]. The gap shows up in 2023 roadside counts, too: 94% of riders wore helmets in universal law states, compared with 72% elsewhere [3].
Repeals tell the same story. After Florida exempted riders 21 and older in 2000, its motorcyclist death rate rose about 25%, IIHS reports [3]. After Michigan’s 2012 change, the average insurance payment for rider injuries rose 40%. Head injuries increased, though one study found no significant change in deaths [3].
IIHS estimates that over 22,000 riders died from 1976 to 2022 because helmet use was lower in states without universal laws [3].
Partial laws are also hard to enforce. Officers cannot judge a rider’s age at a glance. NHTSA’s guide notes that age based laws are easy to evade [6]. In Texas and Missouri, officers may not stop a rider solely to check helmet compliance or exemption status [1].
Licensing: endorsements, permits and skills tests
NHTSA notes that every state requires a motorcycle endorsement on top of your regular driver’s license [5]. Some states use a separate class. California’s Class M1 covers two wheeled motorcycles, while Class M2 covers mopeds and motorized bicycles [8].
The usual path is a knowledge test, then a learner permit, then a riding skills test or an approved course. Too many riders skip this step: in 2024, 35% of riders in fatal crashes had no valid motorcycle license [4]. Arizona is tightening the link. Starting January 1, 2027, owners there will need a motorcycle license or endorsement to renew a motorcycle’s registration [15].
Permits come with limits. The limits vary.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| State | Learner permit limits (official sources, checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Arizona | No passengers, freeways or interstates; no riding from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is under 500 feet [15] |
| Minnesota | No passengers, no night riding, and a helmet is required [10] |
| New York | A licensed rider age 21 or older must supervise from within a quarter mile [14] |
| Pennsylvania | Valid 1 year; daylight only; no passengers except a licensed instructor; helmet required [13] |
| Washington | Valid 180 days; no passengers; no riding in darkness [12] |
Rider training: required for some, valuable for all
As of 2019, all 50 states offered some form of rider education [6]. In state law, a course can play three roles:
- It can replace the DMV riding test. California’s course certificate waives the skills test if used within 12 months [8]. New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Arizona also accept approved courses [11, 13, 14, 15].
- It can be mandatory. Some states require it for younger riders (see the next section).
- It can unlock a helmet exemption. Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Texas tie adult exemptions partly to training [1, 3].
A course is a strong start, not proof of skill. NHTSA’s guide rates rider training 2 of 5 stars. The review it cites found conflicting evidence on crash reduction [6]. Policy specialists treat the course as a foundation for supervised practice. Our guide to motorcycle licensing and rider education covers how to build skills after the course.
Extra rules for younger riders
States add layers for young riders in three ways.
- Helmets: required under 18 in 17 states and under 21 in 11 states. Delaware covers riders under 19 and Missouri riders under 26 [1].
- Mandatory training: California requires a course and a 6 month permit for applicants under 21 [8]. Minnesota requires the Basic Rider Course under 18 [11]. Pennsylvania requires a course, a 6 month permit and 65 hours of supervised riding under 18 [13]. Washington requires a course and parental consent under 18 [12].
- Longer permits: Arizona riders under 18 must hold a permit for 6 months and either take an approved course or log 30 parent certified practice hours [15].
Graduated licensing for motorcycles is less common. As of 2022, only 15 states had some form, usually for riders under 18 or 21 [6]. A New Zealand study found 22% fewer hospitalizations among riders ages 15 to 19 after it began, mostly because they rode less [6].
The stakes are rising. Motorcyclist deaths among people ages 15 to 20 rose 20% in 2024, from 508 to 609 [4]. Age limited helmet laws do not fully protect teens: after Florida’s repeal, deaths rose even among riders under 21 who were still covered, NHTSA’s guide notes [6].
Eye protection, passengers and equipment
No tracker we found counts eye protection laws. The rules differ in the details.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Provision | Examples from official state sources |
|---|---|
| Eye protection | Minnesota requires it for every operator [10]. New York requires it even with a windshield [14]. Washington requires it unless the bike has a windshield [12]. Pennsylvania requires it, and any protective eyewear complies [13]. |
| Passengers | Washington: at least 5 years old, with a passenger seat, footrests and DOT helmet [12]. New York: any age, facing forward, feet on footrests [14]. Minnesota: must reach the footrests with both feet [10]. |
| Equipment | Minnesota requires a mirror and a horn [10]. Washington lists mirrors, muffler, horn, plate, headlight, taillight and turn signals [12]. New York requires the headlight on at all times and handlebars no higher than your shoulders, and bans muffler cutouts [14]. |
Two passenger rules show up often. Learner permits often bar passengers, as in Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington [10, 12, 13, 15]. Some partial helmet laws also cover passengers, even when the adult operator is exempt [1].
Insurance and helmet exemptions
Insurance law matters for safety in two ways. First, states set liability rules for motorcycles. Washington makes liability coverage mandatory for all motorcycles [12]. In New York, liability coverage is required, but motorcycles fall outside the no fault system that covers other vehicles [14].
Second, several states trade helmet use for coverage:
- Florida: riders under 21, and those without $10,000 in medical coverage, must wear helmets [2].
- Michigan: riders 21 and older need $20,000 in medical coverage plus training or 2 years of experience [3].
- Missouri: riders 26 and older may ride without a helmet with proof of financial responsibility, per IIHS. GHSA describes it as medical insurance [1, 2].
- Texas: riders 21 and older qualify with either a course or medical insurance [1].
From an attorney’s view, these exemptions shift who pays for an injury. They do not make the injury less likely. Ask your agent how your policy handles your own medical bills and riders without enough insurance.
Lane splitting and lane filtering
Lane splitting usually means riding between lanes of moving traffic. Lane filtering usually means riding slowly between stopped vehicles. States draw these lines differently, so read each law’s own definitions [9, 11].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| State | Rule (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| California | Lane splitting is legal, the state driver handbook says [8] |
| Colorado | Filtering only, since August 7, 2024: pass stopped traffic on the left at 15 mph or less, never on the shoulder or over the center line. Splitting is illegal [9] |
| Minnesota | Since July 1, 2025: splitting at up to 25 mph and no more than 15 mph faster than traffic; filtering past stopped traffic. Not allowed at roundabouts, in school zones or single lane work zones, or on freeway on ramps with queued traffic [10, 11] |
| Washington | Riding between lanes or on the shoulder is illegal [12] |
| New York | A car and a motorcycle may not share a lane; two motorcycles may [14] |
We could confirm only these states on official sites for this review. Elsewhere, rules range from silence to outright bans, so check your state’s code before you split or filter. Drivers have duties here too, covered in our guide to motorcycle awareness for drivers.
Compare your state: the 9 point checklist
Traveling across state lines
- Follow the strictest helmet rule on your route, or simply wear a DOT certified helmet everywhere.
- Pack eye protection, since some states require it even behind a windshield [14].
- Leave lane habits at the border. Splitting that is legal in California is illegal in Washington [8, 12].
- Check your license status. California lets visitors over 18 ride on a valid home state motorcycle license. But new residents must switch within 10 days [8].
- Recheck passenger rules before carrying a child, because minimum ages differ [12, 14].
- Do not assume a learner permit travels. Confirm with both states first.
How to verify your state's motorcycle law in 5 minutes
- Minute 1: Get oriented. Find your state in the IIHS table and GHSA summary. Note each as of date [1, 2].
- Minute 2: Go official. Use the USA.gov DMV directory and GHSA’s highway safety office directory to reach .gov sites, not lookalikes.
- Minute 3: Read the statute. On your legislature’s site, search the vehicle code for “motorcycle.” Read the definitions first.
- Minute 4: Find your category. Check your age, license stage, passengers and vehicle type, since many states treat mopeds and three wheelers differently [1].
- Minute 5: Check dates. Confirm effective dates and penalties, then save the link and the date you checked.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no motorcycle helmet law?
Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire, according to the IIHS table dated October 2026 [1]. Every other state requires helmets for at least some riders, usually younger ones.
Which states allow lane splitting?
California allows it. Minnesota has allowed splitting and filtering within speed limits since July 1, 2025. Colorado allows only filtering past stopped traffic [8, 9, 11]. Check other states’ current codes.
Do I need a new license if I ride in another state?
Check the state you are visiting. California, for example, lets visitors over 18 ride on a valid home state motorcycle license. If you move there, you must get a California license within 10 days [8].
Do I have to take a motorcycle safety course?
It depends on your age and state. California requires one under 21. Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington require one under 18 [8, 11, 12, 13]. Elsewhere, a course often replaces the DMV riding test.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Wear a DOT certified helmet and eye protection on every ride, whatever the local minimum. Get properly licensed and trained before you carry a passenger. Before any trip, check the current rules in each state on your route.
Related articles
- State traffic safety laws: how to look up and verify your state’s rules
- Motorcycle awareness for drivers: how to spot riders and avoid crashes
- Motorcycle licensing and rider training: how to learn to ride safely
- Motorcycle helmet safety: DOT standards, fit and when to replace
- Motorcycle passengers, cargo and group rides: how to ride safely
Sources and further reading
- 1Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Motorcycle helmet use laws (state table). October 2026. iihs.org/…/motorcycle-helmet-laws-table
- 2Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Motorcyclists (state helmet law summary). Updated June 2026; laws last reviewed by state highway safety offices June 2025. ghsa.org/state-laws-issues/motorcyclists
- 3IIHS. Motorcycles (research area: helmet laws, helmet use and law changes). Updated August 2026. iihs.org/research-areas/motorcycles
- 4National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcycles: 2024 Data. Traffic Safety Facts, DOT HS 813 824. July 2026. crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/…/813824
- 5NHTSA. Motorcycle Safety. Accessed October 3, 2026. nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety
- 6NHTSA. Countermeasures That Work, 11th Edition (2023), Motorcycle Safety chapter: Universal Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws; Graduated Driver Licensing for Motorcyclists; Motorcycle Rider Training. DOT HS 813 490. Accessed October 3, 2026. nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/motorcycle-safety
- 7NHTSA. Motorcycles: 2017 Data. Traffic Safety Facts, DOT HS 812 785. August 2019. crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/…/812785
- 8California Department of Motor Vehicles. Motorcycle License (updated August 7, 2026) and California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued) (updated June 11, 2025). dmv.ca.gov/…/motorcycle-license; dmv.ca.gov/…/laws-and-rules-of-the-road-cont1
- 9Colorado Department of Transportation. Lane Filtering. Last modified August 12, 2026. codot.gov/safety/motorcycle/lanefiltering
- 10Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes 2025, Section 169.974: Motorcycle. Accessed October 3, 2026. revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.974
- 11Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center and Motorcycle License. Accessed October 3, 2026. dps.mn.gov/…/mn-motorcycle-safety-center; dps.mn.gov/…/motorcycle-license
- 12Washington State Department of Licensing. Get a 2-wheel motorcycle permit or endorsement and Washington Motorcycle Operator Manual (PDF). Accessed October 3, 2026. dol.wa.gov/…/get-2-wheel-motorcycle-permit-or-endorsement; dol.wa.gov/media/pdf/105/motomanualpdf
- 13Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Motorcycle Permit FAQs, Motorcycle Training for Applicants Under 18 and PA Motorcycle Helmet FAQs. Accessed October 3, 2026. pa.gov/…/motorcycle-permit-faqs; pa.gov/…/motorcycle-training-under-18; pa.gov/…/pa-motorcycle-helmet-faqs
- 14New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Get a Motorcycle Learner Permit and License and Motorcycle Operator’s Manual (MV-21MC). Accessed October 3, 2026. dmv.ny.gov/…/get-a-motorcycle-learner-permit-and-license; dmv.ny.gov/document/mv-21mc
- 15Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. Motorcycle License (accessed October 3, 2026) and Motorcycle license needed for registration renewals soon (news release, September 21, 2026). azdot.gov/…/motorcycle-license; azdot.gov/news/…
This article reflects the priorities of motorcycle safety policy and traffic safety law. It is general education, not legal advice for any individual. Laws, data and vehicle rules change, so verify details with official sources. Reviewed October 2026.
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