Indiana motorcycle helmet law explained

Guide to Indiana Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Indiana has a long history of motorcycle helmet laws with many changes as early as the 1960s. In accordance with Indiana Code §9-21-10-11 (2022), the following rules determine who is required to wear a motorcycle helmet: The state of Indiana no longer requires motorcyclists and passengers to wear a protective helmet. In 2016 , Indiana repealed a law requiring all operators and riders to wear a protective helmet (IC 9-21-10-4). Indiana revised its motorcycle helmet helmet requirement laws in 2016. The change went into effect July 1, 2017. Under Indiana’s current helmet law, certain code requirements are instructed for motorcycle operators, including: These code requirements are the only strict guidelines that must be adhered to by motorcyclists in the state of Indiana.

Helmet Laws by Age Group in Indiana

With regards to Indiana helmet laws for motorcycle riders, the key distinction made by the law is whether or not the rider is a minor. If you are 17 years of age or younger, the statute covering these laws (IC 9-21-10-2) requires that you wear a helmet for your own safety. If you are older than 17, you will be exceeding your rights as a motorcycle driver if you do not wear a helmet.
It is a requirement of your driving responsibility to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle of any kind. To do otherwise is to risk the safety of your own person, and, in addition, to risk that of a passenger as well, if you are riding with one. The either/or choice present in the law’s wording only pertains to young riders, who may, in some cases, wish to ride without a helmet, whereas those aged 18 and over have no such prerogative.
Liability is not an issue with these laws, in that it is written into the statutes as a violation of traffic laws for a rider of a motorcycle to fail to wear a helmet as required by law, so if a rider chooses to do so, it is that rider’s responsibility alone that constitutes the violation.

Safety Implications of Wearing a Helmet

The decision to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle is not one that should be taken lightly. While the choice may simply boil down to personal preference, few can deny the safety benefits provided by a quality helmet. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and the risk of severe head injury by 67%. While helmet laws may vary from state to state, studies have shown that helmet use plays a significant role in rider deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1,872 motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2007 were not wearing helmets. Comparatively, 602 motorcyclists who died in 2007 while wearing helmets were in full compliance with the law and were wearing a Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet.
Similarly, the National Transportation Safety Board has stated that – outside of reducing harmful environmental effects – safety is "the only automotive function relevant to the protection of the population at risk." As a result, the NTSB has concluded that reducing motorcycle fatalities requires the mandatory use of DOT compliant helmets and effective enforcement of helmet use laws.

Legal Repercussions of Not Wearing a Helmet

The most obvious consequence of not wearing a helmet, at least for those who survive the motorcycle accident, is a ticket. In Indiana, the base fine for violating the helmet law is $25; however, since the law also allows for a $150 fine plus court costs, it is possible to end up with a fine that is closer to $200.
It is important to point out that the statutory minimum for the violation is $25. Since most tickets are charged under local ordinances that incorporate the state law, it is common for local judges to raise the base fine to $100 or more. This is because some courts have established court costs that exceed the state-mandated minimum fine. Even if you ‘only’ pay the minimum fine, your total cost may be over $200 when you add in the cost of court fees.
Having a lot of tickets or even just a fair amount of traffic infractions on your record could have an impact on your insurance rates. While being charged for a motorcycle helmet law violation could be only a minor misdemeanor in some jurisdictions, it may be classified as a felony in others. Also, getting multiple tickets for violations of the same ordinance can result in higher penalties for each ticket, possibly raising your penalties to civil infraction levels.

A Comparison of Indiana’s Helmet Laws and Other States

Indiana’s helmet laws stand out in the Midwest, with only three other states in the country not enforcing a universal motorcycle helmet law: Illinois, Iowa, and Colorado. However, for Indiana motorcycle riders, these other states may be a matter of where you stop to fill up on gas.
Indiana’s real neighbors to the east and west, Ohio and Illinois, do enforce helmet laws for all riders. Ohio requires a helmet for every rider, regardless of age or experience. Illinois’ helmet laws are more specific to the rider. Motorcyclists under 18 are required to wear helmets, and novice motorcyclists – defined as those who have been licensed to ride for two years or less – must also wear a helmet. All motorcyclists must wear eye protection in Illinois.
Ohio and Illinois both impose additional safety equipment requirements that may be of particular interest to Indiana motorcyclists given the proximity of the states. Michigan requires that helmets meet the same standards as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires for motorcycle helmets. Ohio requires the same, albeit on the side of the helmet, does not require the helmet to be labeled. Additionally, Ohio also has a requirement that the helmet have a chin strap; this requirement, however, does not apply if the motorcycle has a windshield .
If the midwestern states have you hopping from state to state frequently, it may be worth the time to brush up on some key points.
The rest of the nation isn’t so lenient. Every state except Illinois, Iowa, and Colorado has a universal motorcycle helmet law. In the majority of states, the law requires every motorcyclist to wear a helmet while riding their motorcycle, but there are some states that have helmet laws modified to certain age groups. In Michigan, all riders under 21 must wear a helmet, while in Vermont and New York, riders under 5 must wear a helmet. In California, Maryland, and North Carolina, all riders, regardless of age, must wear a helmet, and in Louisiana, riders under 17 must wear one. Furthermore, there are also states that have established "reciprocity," which requires an out-of-state rider to follow the laws of their home state instead of the state in which they are currently riding.
Although the majority of the nation’s motorcyclists must wear a helmet when riding their motorcycle, laws governing the equipment ridden on motorcycles do vary. It is always beneficial to research the laws in any state before operating a motorcycle.

Lobbying and Public Persuasion

One of the most crucial tools in the helmet law debate is the power of advocacy groups to persuade local and state lawmakers. Such groups often find themselves at the center of public discussion regarding helmet safety and are part of the continuing push toward safe public policy.
The Indiana Motorcycle Association is one group that has championed motorcyclists’ rights in recent years and has worked with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to promote the use of helmets. The association conducts several safety seminars and "Bike Nights" throughout Indiana aimed at helping motorcyclists understand the importance of wearing a helmet of getting familiar with the state’s roadways.
Such efforts aim to educate the public about the dangers of riding without a helmet. Two studies in Pennsylvania showed that motorcyclists who do not wear helmets pay more than motorcyclists with helmets in both insurance costs and costs related to their injuries. The studies also found that people who do not wear helmets recovered from crashes at a slower rate, showing further that those who do wear helmets have better health outcomes than those who don’t.
Public surveys indicate that 60-83% of the public favor a mandatory helmet law in every state. Also, research shows that between 75% and 85% of motorcyclists support mandatory helmet laws. By contrast, just 6%-11% of the public and 5%-8% of motorcyclists oppose mandatory helmet laws.
Two of the largest motorcycle clubs in the country, the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), have openly supported helmet use, while other organizations like the ABATE refuse to recommend helmet use even thought the group is commonly identified as representing motorcyclists’ rights.

Choosing the Safest and Most Compliant Motorcycle Helmet

Choosing a motorcycle helmet that meets safety standards is crucial to ensure that you receive the protection that you need. In Indiana, all helmets must meet the 49 CFR 571.218 motorcycle helmet specifications, which essentially amount to meeting the requirements put forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). That being said, not all DOT-approved helmets provide the same level of protection. You’ll want to be sure you choose a helmet that is either "DOT" or "DOT FMVSS218" certified. You should be able to find a DOT sticker affixed to the back of the helmet. Be wary of any helmet that is less than $80, as it is unlikely to pass proper testing. Also, helmet manufacturers have recently begun making helmets that have the FMVSS218 certification. This is a more stringent test that now includes an evaluation of the interior padding and other potential performance failures.
Since completely avoiding the road whenever you can isn’t practical, wearing a full-face helmet will also keep your face and jaw protected. In general a full-face helmet will keep you the safest; however , that doesn’t mean it will keep you the most comfortable. Airflow is important to make sure your head doesn’t get too hot as you ride. Many modern full-face helmets include great air flow features, but there are some that struggle to keep your head cool. If you are considering buying a new full-face helmet, it may make sense to do a little research online to make sure that other riders who have used the same model have reported it to be comfortable. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of researching the model you are interested in online, you can go directly to a store to physically compare helmet models in terms of comfort.
You’re going to want to make sure that you buy a helmet that correctly fits your head to maximally ensure comfort and safety. You can determine if a helmet fits properly if there is no vertical movement when you push up the back of the helmet, the front of your head does not rise, and the helmet closes your eyes when you tilt the head forward.