Pennsylvania: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Pennsylvania lets riders 21 and older skip a helmet if they have two years of licensed riding or completed an approved safety course.
Everyone must wear a helmet unless exempt. Riders 21 and older may go without one if they have held a motorcycle license for two full calendar years or completed a course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. A passenger may also go without one if 21 or older and riding with an exempt operator. Riders in a three-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosed cab are exempt.
Conditions
- Exempt adults must be 21+ with 2 years licensed or an approved safety course
- Adult passengers exempt only when riding with an exempt operator
What the law says
Except as provided in subsection (d), no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle (other than a motorized pedalcycle) unless he is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the department. ... A person 21 years of age or older who has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years. ... A person 21 years of age or older who has completed a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. ... The passenger of a person exempt under this subsection if the passenger is 21 years of age or older.
Sources
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 3525 (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
- Website
- pa.gov
How bordering states compare
- Delaware Only some ridersDelaware requires helmets for riders up to age 19 and for riders in their first two years of a motorcycle endorsement.
- 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.
- New York All ridersNew York requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet that meets the federal safety standard.
- Ohio Only some ridersOhio requires helmets for riders under 18, riders with a novice license or endorsement, and passengers riding with them.
- West Virginia All ridersWest Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
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