Minnesota: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Minnesota requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for anyone riding on an instruction permit.
Adults with a full motorcycle license may ride without a helmet. Every operator must wear eye protection. Parade participants with a permit and riders in an enclosed-cab autocycle are exempt from the equipment rules.
Conditions
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet
- Instruction permit holders must wear a helmet
- All operators must wear eye protection
What the law says
No person under the age of 18 shall operate or ride a motorcycle on the streets and highways of this state without wearing protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety ... A person who is operating by virtue of a motorcycle instruction permit must not: ... drive the motorcycle without wearing protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
Sources
- Minn. Stat. § 169.974, subds. 2(d)(3) and 4 Official · revisor.mn.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services
- Website
- dps.mn.gov
How bordering states compare
- Iowa No helmet lawIowa has no motorcycle helmet law for riders or passengers of any age.
- North Dakota Only some ridersNorth Dakota requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for any passenger riding with an under-18 operator.
- South Dakota Only some ridersSouth Dakota requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18.
- Wisconsin Only some ridersWisconsin requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for anyone riding on an instruction permit.