West Virginia · WV · Vehicles
West Virginia: Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
All riders
West Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
The helmet must be fastened with a chin or neck strap and meet ANSI, federal DOT or Snell standards. The only exemption is for a licensed driver operating a fully enclosed autocycle. The section was amended in 2025 (HB 2752, effective July 9, 2025), but the current text still has no age, insurance or experience exemption.
What the law says
A person may not operate or be a passenger on any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless the person is wearing securely fastened on his or her head by either a neck or chin strap a protective helmet designed to deflect blows ...
Sources
- W. Va. Code § 17C-15-44 Official · code.wvlegislature.gov
- HB 2752 (2025) bill history Official · wvlegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
- Website
- transportation.wv.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.
- Ohio Only some ridersOhio requires helmets for riders under 18, riders with a novice license or endorsement, and passengers riding with them.
- 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.
- Virginia All ridersVirginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
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