Virginia: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Helmets must meet Snell, ANSI or federal DOT standards. Exceptions cover motorcycles with wheels 8 inches or less in diameter, three-wheeled motorcycles or autocycles with a fixed roof, windshield and enclosed body, and law-enforcement-escorted parades at 15 mph or less. Operators must also use a face shield, glasses or goggles unless the motorcycle has a windshield.
What the law says
Every person operating a motorcycle or autocycle shall wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have his motorcycle or autocycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield at all times while operating the vehicle, and operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets.
Sources
- Va. Code § 46.2-910 Official · law.lis.virginia.gov
- Virginia DMV, Motorcycle Safety Official · dmv.virginia.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
- Website
- dmv.virginia.gov
How bordering states compare
- Kentucky Only some ridersKentucky requires helmets for riders and passengers under 21, permit holders, and riders licensed less than one year.
- Maryland All ridersMaryland requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
- North Carolina All ridersNorth Carolina requires all motorcycle and moped operators and passengers to wear a strapped helmet meeting the federal standard.
- Tennessee All ridersTennessee requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
- West Virginia All ridersWest Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.