The Motorcycle Helmet
Wis. Stat. 347.485 — headgear under 18 and on a permit, eye protection for every operator
In Wisconsin, the motorcycle helmet rule turns on age and license, and the eye protection rule applies to every operator.
Under 18, or on a permit. No person who holds an instructional permit or is under 18 years of age may operate or ride on a motorcycle on a highway without protective headgear meeting the federal standard, with the chin strap properly fastened, and no one may carry a passenger under 18 who is not wearing headgear.
Eye protection for every operator. Every operator wears a face shield attached to the headgear, glasses or goggles, unless the motorcycle or autocycle has a windshield rising at least 15 inches above the handlebar. Eye protection worn in darkness may not be tinted, apart from prescribed photosensitive glasses.
Renting a motorcycle. No one may rent, lease or loan a motorcycle without making sure the rider has eye protection and, if required, headgear, and a rental business keeps clean, usable headgear on hand.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionEvery adult rider must wear a helmet | What the law actually doesThe headgear rule reaches riders under 18 and those on an instructional permit |
| The assumptionSunglasses are fine at any hour | What the law actually doesEye protection worn in darkness may not be tinted, apart from prescribed photosensitive glasses |
Motorcycle licensing, parades and equipment beyond headgear and eye protection are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 347.485 — Protective headgear for use on motorcycles
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.