Texas: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Texas requires helmets for riders under 21; riders 21 and older are exempt with a safety course or health insurance.
The law applies to operators and passengers on public streets and highways. A rider 21 or older is exempt if they have completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course or are covered by health insurance for motorcycle crash injuries. Police may not cite a rider 21 or older who shows proof of either.
Conditions
- Riders 21+ exempt only with a completed motorcycle safety course or health insurance covering motorcycle crash injuries
What the law says
A person commits an offense if the person: ... operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle on a public street or highway; and ... is not wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department. ... It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a) or (b) that at the time the offense was committed, the person required to wear protective headgear was at least 21 years old and had successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course under Chapter 662 (Motorcycle Operator Training and Safety) or was covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a collision while operating or riding on a motorcycle.
Sources
- Tex. Transp. Code § 661.003 (public.law) Mirror of official text · texas.public.law
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Website
- txdot.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arkansas Only some ridersArkansas requires protective headgear for motorcycle operators and passengers under 21.
- Louisiana All ridersLouisiana requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
- New Mexico Only some ridersNew Mexico requires helmets only for motorcycle riders and passengers under 18.
- Oklahoma Only some ridersOklahoma requires helmets only for motorcycle operators and riders under 18.