The Motorcycle Helmet
G.L. c. 90, § 7 — head gear for every operator and passenger
In Massachusetts, every person operating a motorcycle, or riding as a passenger on one or in an attached sidecar, must wear protective head gear meeting the registrar's standards.
The operator answers for the passenger. No person operating a motorcycle may let anyone ride as a passenger, on it or in its sidecar, unless the passenger is wearing the head gear.
The parade exception. No head gear is required of a motorcyclist taking part in a properly permitted public parade who is 18 years of age or older.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe passenger's helmet is the passenger's business | What the law actually doesThe operator may not carry a passenger without one |
| The assumptionA sidecar rider is exempt | What the law actually doesA sidecar passenger must wear head gear too |
Licensing, endorsement and equipment rules for motorcycles, and the separate rules for mopeds and electric bicycles, are not on this page. Whether a particular helmet meets the standard, or an exception applies to a particular rider, is a question for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 7 — Motor vehicle equipment, including motorcycle head gear
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.