← Kentucky driving laws›Motorcycle Helmet Law

Kentucky Motorcycle Helmet Law Laws (2026)

Conditional: Kentucky requires a helmet for riders under 21, for permit holders, and for anyone licensed less than a year.

ConditionalVerified Jun 18, 2026

Vehicle rules change at the state line — and in your state.Track them in the free LawLert iPhone app: it alerts you when you cross into a state where they differ, and when they change in your state. No account.Get the app

Kentucky requires a helmet for riders under 21, for permit holders, and for anyone licensed less than a year. See KRS 189.285.

Official source: apps.legislature.ky.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Motorcycle Helmet Law in states bordering Kentucky

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IllinoisPermitted
Illinois has no motorcycle helmet requirement at any age — only eye protection is required. See 625 ILCS 5/11-1404.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ilga.gov · Full Illinois rule →
IndianaConditional
Indiana requires a helmet only for operators and riders under 18. See Ind. Code 9-19-7-1.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: iga.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
MissouriConditional
Missouri requires a helmet for riders under 26 and for any permit holder. Riders 26 and older may go without one. See RSMo 302.020.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OhioConditional
Ohio requires a helmet only for riders under 18 and for novice riders and permit holders in their first year; riders 18 and older are otherwise exempt. See ORC 4511.53.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
TennesseeRestricted
In Tennessee, every motorcycle driver and passenger must wear a crash helmet. See TCA 55-9-302.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: capitol.tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
VirginiaRestricted
Virginia requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective helmets. See Va. Code 46.2-910.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
West VirginiaRestricted
West Virginia requires a helmet for everyone: no one may operate or ride a motorcycle without a secured helmet, at any age. See WV Code 17C-15-44.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

Don't get caught off guardCross into a state where this law is different and the free iPhone app tells you what changed, even with the app closed. It also alerts you when a law you track changes where you live. No account.Get the free app

Track this law — get alerted when it changes

We watch the official sources behind Kentucky vehicle rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.