The Motorcycle Helmet
Va. Code 46.2-910 — helmets for operators and passengers, and eye protection
In Virginia, operators and passengers on a motorcycle or autocycle must wear protective helmets meeting the Snell, ANSI or federal standards, and every operator must wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles unless the vehicle has safety glass or a windshield.
Not negligence per se. Failing to wear a face shield, glasses, goggles or a helmet does not constitute negligence per se in a civil proceeding.
Parades. The helmet rule does not apply in an organized parade authorized by the Department of Transportation or the locality and accompanied by law enforcement, at speeds of no more than 15 miles per hour.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionPassengers can ride without one | What the law actually doesOperators and passengers both wear helmets |
| The assumptionRiding without a helmet settles fault in a lawsuit | What the law actually doesIt does not constitute negligence per se |
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 Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Va. Code 46.2-910 — Motorcycle and autocycle operators to wear helmets
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.