The Motorcycle Helmet
Minn. Stat. 169.974 — headgear under 18 and on a permit, eye protection for all
In Minnesota, no person under the age of 18 may operate or ride a motorcycle on the streets and highways without protective headgear that meets the commissioner's standards, and no person may operate a motorcycle without an eye-protective device.
The instruction permit. A person riding on a motorcycle instruction permit may not carry passengers, ride at night, or ride without protective headgear.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionEvery rider in Minnesota needs a helmet | What the law actually doesRiders under 18 and those on an instruction permit |
| The assumptionGoggles are optional | What the law actually doesEvery operator needs an eye-protective device |
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 Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 169.974 — Operation of motorcycle; motor scooter; motor bike
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.