Getting into an accident can easily take away your life if you are ill-equipped when driving a motorcycle.
For this reason, the government has taken certain steps to reduce motorcycle deaths. This has been done by assigning helmet rules which depend on the state.
There have been so many attempts that people ask, “Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in North Carolina?”
The state of North Dakota has tried multiple times to get rid of them but has failed to remove its motorcycle helmet laws each time.
It does not matter if you are above or below 18. It even does not matter if you are driving the motorcycle. You will be required to wear a helmet if you are simply traveling on a motorcycle in North Carolina.
The state of North Carolina is stuck with having its drivers and passengers always wear helmets. If this information is not enough, then do not worry. I will elaborate more on this throughout the article.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws And Rules In North Carolina
The drivers and passengers in North Carolina must wear a helmet if they are driving a motorcycle. The state does not take into account the age of the driver or the passenger, forcing everyone to wear a helmet.
Many different states usually offer some sort of respite for some motorcyclists. This is not the case in the state of North Carolina.
There are no exceptions to the motorcycle helmet rules. You have to wear a state-approved helmet, and you have to wear it every time you ride the motorcycle.
Failure to abide by these laws can result in various fines and penalties, so it is best to follow them to the letter. The driver and the moped passenger must wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Many states do not require their moped users to wear helmets either. North Carolina shows its strictness in this regard as well by forcing them to wear a helmet as well.
Motorcycle Helmet Requirements In NC
The state of North Carolina has actively described the type of helmet you need to wear in the state. As a requirement, the helmets you must wear must be DOT approved.
This is often the case for many other states and is the same case here. If you are not wearing a DOT-approved helmet, then you are breaking the law and can be punished if you are found doing so.
Experienced motorcyclists will already know how to look for DOT-approved helmets. If you are new to the term, here is what you need to look for in a helmet for it to be DOT approved.
Firstly, you need to make sure the helmet is DOT approved by looking for its official marker. The manufacturer must permanently install this symbol.
Furthermore, this symbol must be located at the back of the helmet. Any other symbols or self-placed symbols will not be compliant with this rule.
The helmet itself must have a firm inner lining. This should be at least 1 inch thick. Apart from this, many other factors, such as protrusions and weight, need to be taken into account.
Aside from that, you also need to have an inner label inside the helmet. This label must be filled with accurate information.
This information usually includes details about the helmet itself. These details are; Manufacture name and ID, model number, helmet size, manufacture date, shell materials, and cleaning instructions.
Make sure to have all this information present or you may have a hard time with the police. Aside from DOT-approved helmets, you must also take care of your eyes.
Some rules force you to adopt proper eye protection in case your helmet does not do so. You can wear glasses, goggles, and face shields to protect your eyes while driving a motorcycle.
Penalties/Legal Consequences
As with most laws, if you do not obey them, you are liable for punishment. While not wearing a helmet won’t get you jail time, it will save you a few bucks.
The state of North Carolina has set a fixed price of $25.50 as a fine if you are caught not wearing a helmet.
This fine is universal regarding the state, meaning both motorcycles and mopeds will be fined the same. The fine will remain the same for passengers as well.
$25.50 may not seem like much. It is quite small when you compare it to the massive fines of other states. You will have to pay court costs if the matter reaches court.
The fact remains that the fine is just another way to discourage you from risking your own life. A little fun is not worth your life, and you should always have a helmet equipped for your protection.
Even though the state of North Carolina enforces the rules on all motorcyclists, the penalties are not that severe. No driver’s license points are issued and no surcharges regarding insurance.
There are no further consequences to this infraction. As I will explain in the next part of the article, negligence is not a factor in North Carolina.
No Negligence Rules In North Carolina
Many states have adopted the stance that in an accident, the injuries of the driver without a helmet are partly their own doing. This is also a viable tactic that many insurance companies adopt.
This helps them reduce the money they have to pay to the injured. This term has been crowned negligence and is tossed around a lot in court. You will, however, not hear this term in any court in North Carolina.
According to the law, accidents without a helmet will not be considered negligence or civil action. This prevents insurance companies from being able to sneakily take away a portion of the insurance money.
This is done to provide a fair case for motorcycle accidents. This, however, is still not enough to get you a win in your court case.
Get In Touch With Experienced Motorcycle Attorneys In North Carolina
It should be known that negligence is not the only card people will play against you. There are a lot of other dirty tricks that insurance companies can use to reduce your insurance claims.
For this reason, you should have a capable legal team, so I have listed a few law firms with capable attorneys for your convenience.
1. DeMayo Law Offices, LLP
DeMayo Law offers highly rated and skilled attorneys that have good experience in motorcycle accident cases. They will stop at nothing to ensure that you get speedy justice.
Phone Number: (866) 338-7477
URL: https://demayolaw.com/
2. Auger & Auger
The attorneys at Auger & Auger are on a mission to provide exceptional care and representation to people who suffered from motorcycle accidents. They aim to win the biggest settlement possible.
Phone Number: (855) 971-0800
URL: https://www.wardblacklaw.com/
3. Ward Black Law
Full of capable and committed lawyers, Ward black law will fight for you and ensure you win your motorcycle accident case. They aim to seek justice and give generously, all while loving lavishly.
Phone Number: 1-336-916-1995
URL: https://www.augerlaw.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is It Ok To Wear An Open Face Helmet In North Carolina?
It is okay for you to wear an open-face helmet in North Carolina as long as it obeys the specifications mentioned. You will also need to account for eye protection, making it easier to simply wear a full-face helmet.
Q2. How Much Is The Fine For Not Wearing A Motorcycle Helmet In North Carolina?
If you break motorcycle helmet laws, you will be fined a fixed cost of $25.50. Along with this, you will also be liable to pay court costs and other fees. Aside from this, there is no fine that you need to pay.
Q3. When Did Motorcycle Helmet Become Law In North Carolina?
Motorcycle helmet law was introduced in North Carolina back in 1968. This law is still being used in the state of North Carolina.
Q4. Should Passengers Wear A Helmet In North Carolina?
Yes, this is a requirement in North Carolina as passengers must wear helmets. Otherwise, they will be ticketed.
Q5. Are Moped Drivers Required To Wear A Helmet In North Carolina?
Even moped drivers are required to wear a helmet in North Carolina. This is a rule set by the state, and failure to do so will result in a fine. The rules also apply to passengers, so they have to wear a helmet.
Conclusion
This article should have made it easy for you to answer the question, “Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in North Carolina?” North Carolina is pretty strict regarding making sure everyone wears a motorcycle helmet.
It is equally lenient regarding people breaking this rule, as fines are low and punishments minimal. As long as you make sure that you wear a state-approved helmet, you should have no trouble.
So I can assume by now, you should have a good understanding of the motorcycle helmet gudelines of North Carolina.
I am a passionate blogger who wants to spread my interest in motorcycles. Fueled by my love for motorcycles, I provide readers with valuable insights and updates on motorcycles’ informative and engaging topics and document the latest happenings in the biking community. Despite my hectic schedule, I can provide these blogs, which involve regular trips to the gym and sports like mountain biking and BMX. I am usually available most of the time, so be sure to join me on my journey of motorcycles and bikes! I appreciate a quiet and simple life and am always eager to interact with my readers to provide helpful information on my blog site.
