motorcycle helmet law in minnesota
Even without a law, a helmet is a must-have Before you head out on the highway looking for adventure make sure it isn’t a ticket that comes your way. This guide details the helmet laws state by state to help riders follow the rules. Of course, the safest choice is to always wear a traditional (non-novelty) helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. Besides getting a ticket for not wearing a helmet in certain states, there is even more incentive—not properly protecting yourself could increase your risk of injury or even death. Just 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, have universal motorcycle helmet laws requiring usage despite the fact that studies show that helmets can help reduce your injury risk in a crash. They are about 37 percent effective in preventing deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries from motorcycle crashes. (See our 10 safety tips for new riders.) In states that institute laws, deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents typically drop.
Unfortunately, the opposite also proves true when such laws are repealed. Nearly 100 percent of motorcyclists riding in states with helmet laws were wearing them. In states without the laws, helmet use was about 50 percent. Getting more riders to wear helmets is important: As more motorcyclists have taken to the road over the last few years, rider fatalities have grown even more rapidly especially compared to cars. In 2012, over 4,900 motorcyclists died on the roads--that is 15 percent of the total highway fatalities and an increase of 33 percent from 2003-2012. Before embarking on a long-distance ride, check out our list of which states have universal laws requiring helmet use. The best move is to keep things simple and safe: Wear a quality, DOT-approved helmet even if it’s not the law in your state or wherever you are traveling. 17 and younger riders and passengers For more on motorcycles, see our buying advice and our special section covering safety, reliability, first rides and more.
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Motorcycle helmet laws vary widely among the states and have changed a lot in the past half a century. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, known as universal helmet laws. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 28 states. There is no motorcycle helmet use law in three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire). In the past, many more states had universal helmet laws, thanks to pressure from the federal government. In 1967, states were required to enact helmet use laws in order to qualify for certain federal safety programs and highway construction funds. The federal incentive worked. By the early 1970s, almost all the states had universal motorcycle helmet laws. However, in 1976, states successfully lobbied Congress to stop the Department of Transportation from assessing financial penalties on states without helmet laws. Low-power cycle is a generic term used by IIHS to cover motor-driven cycles, mopeds, scooters, and various other 2-wheeled cycles excluded from the motorcycle definition.
While state laws vary, a cycle with an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and top speeds of 30 mph or less typically is considered an low-power cycle. Twenty-three states have motorcycle helmet laws that cover all low-power cycles. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have laws that cover some low-power cycles. Table: motorcycle helmet laws history Hover over map for more detail.- have a motorcycle instruction permit or a motorcycle endorsement. - register their motorcycle and display a valid license plate. - carry liability insurance for their bike and proof of insurance when riding. - wear eye protection, either a face shield, goggles, or glasses. Windshields no longer meet legal requirements. 2. When riding on a motorcycle permit, riders: - must wear a DOT-approved helmet. - cannot carry passengers. - cannot ride on interstate freeways. - cannot ride at night. Motorcycle permits are valid for one year.
3. If you are under 18, you must: - complete an approved motorcycle rider training course. - wear a DOT-approved helmet. - if the motorcycle has a passenger seat, it must also have passenger footrests. - a rear view mirror, horn 169.974 subd. 3 (a), and muffler are required equipment. - the headlight must be on at all times when riding. 5 (g) (i)Motorcycles are required to have at least one, but not more than two, headlights with both high and low beam. 169.49 (b) Headlight modulators are legal in Minnesota as an exception to FMVSS Title 49, Part 571.108. - a red tail light is required, including a brake or stop lamp. 1 A "blue dot" on the tail light of up to one inch in diameter is legal. 169.64 subd 4 (c) - at least one brake is required, front or rear, which may be operated by hand or foot. - Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of their lane and have all the rights and responsibilities of other drivers. - Motorcyclists are permitted to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes.
- All laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs apply to motorcyclists as well. - Passengers must wear eye protection. - Passengers under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet. - Motorcyclists may only ride on a permanent seat. Passengers may ride on a passenger seat or in a sidecar. - Passengers must be able to reach both footpegs while seated on the bike. - Operators and passengers must face forward with one leg on each side of the motorcycle. - Motorcyclists must not carry anything that interferes with holding onto the handlebars. - Splitting traffic is illegal. No one except on-duty police officers may ride between lanes of traffic or in the same lane with other vehicles. It is legal for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side in the same lane if both riders agree to it beforehand. - Headphones/earphones: one ear only. Penalties for riding without a motorcycle endorsement or instruction permit include up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and having the motorcycle towed and impounded.
For printed copies of this information in the form of a laminated card (Minnesota residents only), contact pat.hahn@state.mn.us at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.] (a) A person operating a motorcycle who violates subdivision 4 by entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light has an affirmative defense to that charge if the person establishes all of the following conditions: (1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop; (2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time; (3) the traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle;