Motorcycle Helmet Law Fines by State
Motorcycle helmet law fines by state — a data table of helmet violation penalties across all 50 states.
Helmet-law fines vary widely by state. The table below lists every state’s category and the fine range for a helmet violation.
| State | Category | Fine range |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| Alaska | Partial | $0 – $200 |
| Arizona | Partial | $0 – $200 |
| Arkansas | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| California | Universal | $0 – $250 |
| Colorado | Partial | $0 – $150 |
| Connecticut | Universal | $0 – $90 |
| Delaware | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Florida | Partial | $0 – $500 |
| Georgia | Universal | $0 – $150 |
| Hawaii | Partial | $0 – $250 |
| Idaho | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Illinois | None | No helmet-law fine |
| Indiana | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Iowa | None | No helmet-law fine |
| Kansas | Partial | $0 – $45 |
| Kentucky | Partial | $0 – $500 |
| Louisiana | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| Maine | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Maryland | Universal | $0 – $500 |
| Massachusetts | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| Michigan | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| Minnesota | Partial | $0 – $90 |
| Mississippi | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| Missouri | Universal | $0 – $25 |
| Montana | Partial | $0 – $100 |
| Nebraska | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| Nevada | Universal | $0 – $200 |
| New Hampshire | None | No helmet-law fine |
| New Jersey | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| New Mexico | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| New York | Universal | $0 – $100 |
| North Carolina | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| North Dakota | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Ohio | Partial | $0 – $75 |
| Oklahoma | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Oregon | Universal | $0 – $250 |
| Pennsylvania | Partial | $0 – $75 |
| Rhode Island | Partial | $0 – $85 |
| South Carolina | Partial | $0 – $100 |
| South Dakota | Partial | $0 – $20 |
| Tennessee | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| Texas | Partial | $0 – $50 |
| Utah | Partial | $0 – $45 |
| Vermont | Universal | $0 – $40 |
| Virginia | Universal | $0 – $250 |
| Washington | Universal | $0 – $250 |
| West Virginia | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| Wisconsin | Universal | $0 – $50 |
| Wyoming | Partial | $0 – $50 |
How the fines work
A helmet citation is usually a traffic offense that police can write on its own. States with no helmet law (Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire) have no helmet-specific fine, though other equipment or traffic violations can still apply. Where a fine applies, repeat offenses typically cost more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have the highest helmet fines?
Florida and Kentucky list fine maximums around $500 for a helmet violation, among the highest in the country. Many universal-law states fall in the $50–$250 range.
Do no-helmet-law states have any fine?
Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire have no statewide helmet law, so there is no helmet-specific fine. Other traffic or equipment violations can still be cited.
Are helmet fines a primary offense?
In most states a helmet violation can be cited on its own (primary enforcement), though the exact enforcement type varies. Check your state page for details.