North Dakota: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
North Dakota requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for any passenger riding with an under-18 operator.
Operators and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet meeting federal DOT standards, except in a lawful parade. When the operator must wear a helmet, every passenger must too, whatever their age. Adults riding with an adult operator are not required to wear a helmet, and riders in an enclosed cab are exempt.
What the law says
No person under the age of eighteen years may operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless a safety helmet meeting United States department of transportation standards is being worn on the head of the operator and rider, except when participating in a lawful parade. If the operator of a motorcycle is required to wear a safety helmet, any passenger must also wear a safety helmet regardless of the age of the passenger.
Sources
- N.D. Cent. Code § 39-10.2-06 Official · ndlegis.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- North Dakota Department of Transportation
- Phone
- 701-328-2500
- Website
- dot.nd.gov
How bordering states compare
- Minnesota Only some ridersMinnesota requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for anyone riding on an instruction permit.
- Montana Only some ridersMontana requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18.
- South Dakota Only some ridersSouth Dakota requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18.
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