State helmet laws vary across the country. Nineteen states have universal laws, like New York, which mandate that all riders and passengers must wear a helmet. Twenty-eight states have age-based helmet laws. When you ride in those states, you must wear a helmet if you are at or below the state’s minimum age. Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire are the only states that have no helmet laws at all.
If you plan to ride your motorcycle to or through another state, visit the Governor’s Highway Safety Association to learn about compliance with that state’s helmet laws.