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#SOS - Motorcycle Helmet Use in Michigan

Motorcycle Helmet Use in Michigan

What the Law Says

Michigan law now allows motorcyclists to decide for themselves, if certain conditions are met, whether or not to wear a helmet.

To legally not wear a helmet, a motorcycle operator must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits.
• Have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years, or have passed an approved motorcycle safety course.

The law also allows for motorcycle passengers to not wear a helmet. Passengers also may not wear a helmet as long as they:

• Are at least 21 years old.
• Have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance in addition to the insurance that is required of the motorcycle operator.

A person younger than 21 years old still must wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation when operating or riding on a motorcycle. The requirement that an individual younger than 19 years old must wear a helmet if operating a moped on a public roadway is unchanged.

Learn More About Using a Helmet

To read more about properly using a motorcycle helmet, please see the video linked to above or this informational article from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which recommends wearing an approved helmet as well as over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved jacket and full-fingered motorcycle gloves.

According to the article, "Since head injuries account for a majority of motorcycle fatalities, protection is vital. Even the best helmet is no guarantee against injury. However, without a helmet you are more likely to have serious head injuries than a rider who is wearing one."