Delaware: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Delaware requires helmets for riders up to age 19 and for riders in their first two years of a motorcycle endorsement.
Riders up to age 19 must wear a helmet. Anyone who got a motorcycle endorsement on or after July 30, 2023, must wear one for the first two years, and so must their passengers. Other adult riders only have to carry an approved helmet, not wear it, but all riders must wear eye protection.
Conditions
- Riders up to age 19 must wear a helmet
- Riders endorsed on or after July 30, 2023 must wear a helmet for 2 years, as must their passengers
- All other riders must carry an approved helmet
- All riders must wear approved eye protection
What the law says
A person up to 19 years of age operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle on the roadways of this State shall wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by the Secretary. ... A newly-endorsed person who is operating a motorcycle on the roadways of this State, or a person riding as a passenger on a motorcycle operated on the roadways of this State by a newly-endorsed person, shall wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by the Secretary for the first 2 years after the newly-endorsed person obtains endorsement.
Sources
- 21 Del. C. § 4185(b) Official · delcode.delaware.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Delaware Office of Highway Safety
- Website
- ohs.delaware.gov
How bordering states compare
- Maryland All ridersMaryland requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
- New Jersey All ridersNew Jersey requires every motorcycle operator and rider to wear a helmet.
- Pennsylvania Only some ridersPennsylvania lets riders 21 and older skip a helmet if they have two years of licensed riding or completed an approved safety course.