Illinois · IL · Vehicles
Illinois: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
No helmet law
Illinois has no motorcycle helmet law; riders and passengers must wear eye protection instead.
Illinois's special-equipment law for motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds requires glasses, goggles or a transparent shield, but no helmet, for operators and passengers of any age. The answer is inferred from that section, which lists the required gear and doesn't include a helmet.
What the law says
(a) The operator of a motorcycle, motor driven cycle or moped and every passenger thereon shall be protected by glasses, goggles or a transparent shield.
Sources
- 625 ILCS 5/11-1404 (Illinois General Assembly) Official · ilga.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Illinois Department of Transportation
- Website
- idot.illinois.gov
How bordering states compare
- Indiana Only some ridersIndiana requires helmets for motorcycle riders and passengers under 18, and for anyone riding on a motorcycle learner's permit.
- Iowa No helmet lawIowa has no motorcycle helmet law for riders or passengers of any age.
- Kentucky Only some ridersKentucky requires helmets for riders and passengers under 21, permit holders, and riders licensed less than one year.
- Missouri Only some ridersMissouri requires helmets for riders under 26 and for anyone riding on an instruction permit.
- Wisconsin Only some ridersWisconsin requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for anyone riding on an instruction permit.