Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet In Minnesota?

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Motorcycles are great. They’re fun and easy to ride, and they let you go anywhere without. But motorcycles are also dangerous.

And if you ride one, you need to be protected. That’s why helmet laws are so important: they protect riders from suffering serious injuries in the event of an accident.

Out of all the states present in the US, one question that is commonly heard is, do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety requires that anyone under 18 must wear a helmet at all times. In addition, anyone who has been issued a learner permit must also wear a helmet when operating a two-wheeler. This is simple law but a good one too.

Although you can close this page and head on to your work, I suggest reading further. There are other things about Minnesota’s helmet laws that should be understood. This article will cover them all.

So, let’s get straight into it.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws And Rules In Minnesota

Learn how old you have to be to not wear a motorcycle helmet in Minnesota

The Minnesota motorcycle helmet law is simple: if you are under 18, you must wear a helmet and protective eyewear. But there’s more to it than that.

If you’re over 18, you can choose not to wear a helmet, but there’s a good reason to wear them as helmets reduce your risk of a serious head injury by 69%.

And if you have an accident, that can mean the difference between life and death.

So, while it might seem inconvenient or unnecessary on some days when you feel like riding with just your sunglasses on (or maybe just wearing a hat!), it’s actually extremely important for your safety!

You might be wondering where this law has been taken from. Websites out there provide incorrect information, and you have every right to be skeptical.

This information has been derived from the 169.974 statute of the state of Minnesota. It is publicly available, and you can check the information for your satisfaction.

Motorcycle Helmet Requirements In MN

In Minnesota, the law requires that motorcyclists and passengers wear helmets. However, not every helmet is approved for use in the state. Only those that are DOT-approved are allowed to be worn.

These helmets have been put through a series of tests that allow them to be determined if they are good enough to protect you in case of an accident.

There are a lot of DOT-approved helmet options out there. So, you should not have any issue finding one that not only complies with the state’s laws but also satisfies your needs.

Penalties/Legal Consequences

The penalties for not following Minnesota helmet law are not set in stone, but they can be quite costly, especially if you do not obey these laws and get caught repetitively.

The first offense is usually not too bad, but repeated offenses can lead to much costlier citations with the risk of your license being suspended.

You will first be asked for your license and registration when an authoritative figure stops you.

After that is successfully verified, the officer will cite you if you are not wearing a helmet or one that is not approved for use in the state of Minnesota.

The fine may not be too steep if you are being cited for this the first time. But if it is not, you can expect to pay a hefty sum to the government for not following their regulations.

After this encounter is complete, I suggest you visit Amazon or a shop that sells DOT-approved helmets and buy one as soon as possible.

Motorcycle Driving Rules For The State Of Minnesota

Many rules and regulations must be followed when riding a motorcycle in Minnesota. The first rule is that passengers must be on a permanent seat if you have passengers.

The number of passengers, usually 1, should not be in excess. A person qualifies as a passenger only if his feet can reach the footrests.

Next up, different laws have been applied to people that don’t have a proper license. Those that have a permit only cannot carry any passengers at all.

They are also not allowed to drive the motorcycle at night, which is a pretty good rule.

Get In Touch With Experienced Motorcycle Attorneys In Minnesota

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident with or without a helmet in Minnesota, you may wonder how to proceed.

You may feel overwhelmed and confused about how to get medical care, file a claim, receive compensation for your losses and damages, and move on with your life.

I will list three of Minnesota’s top firms that deal with situations like these.

1. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.

You may be wondering who is the best attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve when it comes to motorcycle accidents.

Well, look no further as this is one of the most trusted names in Minnesota injury law. They have helped clients win millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries.

They offer free case evaluations, so if you or someone you know is injured in any kind of accident or incident resulting in personal injuries, contact them immediately.

They will only charge you a fee after winning your case—not before!

Phone Number: 1-800-752-4265
URL: https://www.schwebel.com/

2. TSR Injury Law

TSR Injury Law is one of the best firms in the area for motorcycle accidents. With more than 20 years of experience they have helped their clients win hefty compensation to focus on getting back to full health.

Like the previous firm, they will not charge you a fee until you win your case. They’ll also evaluate your case free of cost. So, you should contact them now to get the compensation you deserve!

Phone Number: 612-547-1566
URL: https://www.tsrinjurylaw.com/

3. Fay & Associates

Fay & Associates is a personal injury law firm helping clients in Minnesota since 1997. They have hundreds of satisfied clients, and their team of excellent lawyers is ready to help you.

The firm is one of Minnesota’s most respected law firms and has helped hundreds of people get their lives back on track after motorcycle accidents.

Their expert lawyers have a wealth of experience and are dedicated to providing their clients with the highest quality service.

Phone Number: (612)-333-6900
URL: https://www.mcfay.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is It Ok To Wear An Open Face Helmet In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, if you are under the age of 18, you are required to wear a helmet that is DOT approved. So, you need to find an open-face helmet that is DOT approved.

If you are over the age of 18, then you can wear any type of helmet that you wish—including an open-face one.

Q2. How Much Is The Fine For Not Wearing A Motorcycle Helmet In Minnesota?

The fine for not wearing a motorcycle helmet in Minnesota is not fixed. It varies depending on the driver’s history of offenses but can also increase with repeated offenses.

In addition to paying the fine, there’s a chance that your license could be suspended if you’re pulled over for not wearing a helmet and also being underage.

Q3. When Did Motorcycle Helmet Become Law In Minnesota?

In 1977, a law was passed in Minnesota that required all riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle or scooter.

This law also applies to learners with a motorcycle permit. The law was implemented in April of 1977. No amendments have been made to it since then.

Q4. Should Passengers Wear A Helmet In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, all motorcycle passengers are required to wear a helmet if they are under the age of 18.

If you are over 18 years old and riding on a motorcycle, you have the option to choose whether or not you wear a helmet. It is still advised to wear one, in order to save yourself from unforeseen circumstances.

Q5. Are Moped Drivers Required To Wear A Helmet In Minnesota?

Yes, moped drivers are required to wear a helmet in Minnesota if they are under the age of 18. As it is a two-wheeled vehicle, the same law applies to mopeds.

The only exception is if you’re over the age of 18. If you’re over 18, then you have a choice of if you want to wear a helmet or not.

You may also be interested in my article: How To Get A Motorcycle License In Minnesota

Conclusion

In conclusion, do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Minnesota? The answer is yes, but only if you are under the age of 18.

The law requires that these specific riders and passengers should wear a DOT-approved helmet when riding on a motorcycle.

Although you can ride without a helmet, once you have a license and are 18 and above, it is still recommended to invest in one.

The cost of recovering from an accident is far greater. So, it is better to be safe than sorry. I hope this article had all the information you needed to understand Minnesota’s helmet laws.

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