The Motorcycle Helmet
W. Va. Code § 17C-15-44 — a helmet and eye protection for every rider and passenger
No one may drive or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle without a protective helmet fastened by a neck or chin strap, meeting a federal or industry safety standard.
Eyes too. Every operator and passenger also wears shatter resistant safety glasses, goggles or a face shield, and contact lenses do not count.
- Handlebars may sit no more than 15 inches above the seat.
- A passenger rides only on a seat built for one, with footrests, or in a sidecar, and never side saddle.
- A rearview mirror shows the road behind for at least two hundred feet.
A licensed driver of a fully enclosed autocycle is exempt from the section. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed West Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- W. Va. Code § 17C-15-44 — Safety equipment and requirements for motorcyclists, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed West Virginia attorney.