Ohio: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Ohio requires helmets for riders under 18, riders with a novice license or endorsement, and passengers riding with them.
Operators and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet, and so must anyone whose motorcycle license or endorsement still carries a 'novice' designation. Any passenger riding with one of those operators must wear a helmet too. Other adults are not required to, though all riders must wear eye protection. Autocycles and cab-enclosed motorcycles are exempt when the top is in place.
Conditions
- Eye protection required for all operators and passengers
What the law says
Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a "novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a United States department of transportation-approved protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet.
Sources
- Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.53(C) Official · codes.ohio.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Ohio Department of Public Safety
- Website
- publicsafety.ohio.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.
- Kentucky Only some ridersKentucky requires helmets for riders and passengers under 21, permit holders, and riders licensed less than one year.
- Michigan Only some ridersMichigan requires helmets unless the rider is 21 or older and meets experience or training and insurance conditions.
- 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.
- West Virginia All ridersWest Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.