South Dakota · SD · Vehicles
South Dakota: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Only some riders
South Dakota requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18.
Riders 18 and older may ride without a helmet. The law also bars anyone from carrying a passenger under 18 who is not wearing a helmet. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
What the law says
No person under eighteen years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle on the public streets or highways of this state unless the person wears a protective helmet of a type meeting Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 as in effect on January 1, 1984.
Sources
- SDCL 32-20-4 Official · sdlegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety
- Website
- sd.gov
How bordering states compare
- Iowa No helmet lawIowa has no motorcycle helmet law for riders or passengers of any age.
- 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.
- Nebraska Only some ridersNebraska requires helmets for riders under 21 and for adults who haven't completed a required safety course.
- North Dakota Only some ridersNorth Dakota requires helmets only for riders under 18 and for any passenger riding with an under-18 operator.
- Wyoming Only some ridersWyoming requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18.
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