Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet In North Dakota?

Many motorcycle riders in the United States have shown contempt for wearing a helmet while riding. The reasons may differ based on the person’s opinion.

However, the fact that helmets are a form of one’s safety does not change. For this reason, different states have laws for enforcing the wearing of helmets.

Most states opt to have motorcycle laws, but some do not. This leads to many motorcyclists asking, “Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in North Dakota?”

The answer is that you have to, but only if you are under 18. This is a common set of rules you must adhere to in most states.

You should have your answer by now if you just wanted a quick look at motorcycle laws in Dakota. However, if you are interested in more details regarding the law, please read the article until the end.

I will thoroughly explain every aspect surrounding the helmet laws.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws And Rules In North Dakota

Since the removal of the mandate by congress in 1976, for states to have a universal motorcycle helmet law in place, many states have revised their laws.

While it is true that some states still have universal laws for the wearing of motorcycle helmets, many have opted to allow for exceptions. North Dakota is one of these latter states.

Just a year after the removal of the mandate, North Dakota repealed the universal motorcycle helmet law in 1977.

The new law took effect in the same year as North Dakota Century Code section 39-10.2-06. This law states that people over 18 are not legally required to wear helmets while driving a motorcycle.

However, minors under 18 are strictly required to wear one. They are also required to wear eye protection glasses or goggles.

For those under 18, a learner’s permit is necessary for them and a helmet so they do not get into trouble with the local law enforcement.

For people over 18, a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license is required to legally be allowed to drive.

Regarding passengers, however, there are no restrictions on wearing a helmet or any other means of safety equipment as long as they are over 18.

Lastly, they do not need their license or learner’s permit as a passenger.

Motorcycle Helmet Requirements In ND

While most people believe you just have to wear a helmet, most states have further requirements. The state of North Dakota has not mentioned any specific requirements regarding the type of helmet you must wear.

Regardless of your state, you need to make sure you have a good-quality helmet. This can be achieved by you getting yourself a DOT Approved helmet.

These helmets have their own requirements, which you can easily look up. These helmets are quite easily distinguishable. They are often marked with a sticker that shows that they are DOT approved.

The state of North Dakota has also talked about eye protection laws. In short, you must ensure that your eyes are properly and safely covered.

This can be done with the helmet visor, but many people prefer open-face helmets. For those people, the state recommends that they wear glasses or goggles. Alternatively, they can wear face shields as well.

Penalties/Legal Consequences

The motorcycle helmet laws are pretty straightforward, and you should have no problem following them. The police reserve the right to pull you over if they notice you driving your motorcycle without a helmet.

If you are not following the rules and get caught then you will be subject to a fine. The fine that the state of North Dakota has assigned is fixed at $20.

This may not seem like much, especially if you are from other states, which can easily fine you $100 or more.

While this is not a penalty, it should be noted that you also risk putting yourself in danger while not driving with a helmet.

In the event of an accident, you can get seriously injured. It is better to be safe than sorry and wear a helmet.

Additionally, you can face issues in any legal battles due to the accident. The state or your insurance companies can claim negligence and reduce any potential pay that you may earn.

If this happens, you should have a good legal team to get you the money you deserve. Luckily, I will discuss which law firms you should visit later in the article.

Claiming Negligence In North Dakota

Helmet laws protect you from harm in case of an accident. In the state of North Dakota, it is common for people to not wear a helmet once they reach 18.

This opens up a whole set of new problems. Not only do people put themselves at risk, but they also allow insurance and opposing entities to claim negligence in court.

Despite not wearing a helmet, opposing lawyers can still claim negligence. This means that they will claim that any injuries you suffered from in the accident are because of your own risky behavior.

This is a tactic most insurance firms use to reduce the payout of their clients. It can easily reduce the total amount of money you originally were eligible for by 20%. This can grow even more, so wearing a helmet is always a good idea.

Get In Touch With Experienced Motorcycle Attorneys In North Dakota

If you are dealing with pesky insurance firms claiming negligence, keep reading. I will be mentioning capable lawyers who can easily deal with the situation.

These lawyers will provide you with quality legal advice and fight for your case.

1. Larson Law Firm P.C.

The Larson Law Firm is full of excellent personal injury attorneys fighting for the side of the injured. They have a great experience when it comes to motorcycle accidents and has a great track record as well.

Phone Number: 701-638-3081
URL: https://ndakotalaw.com/

2. Vinje Law Firm

Extremely capable and talented individuals are what you will find in the Vinje Law firm. These people will work day and night to help you in your motorcycle accident case and do whatever they can to win.

Phone Number: (701) 258-9475
URL: https://vinjelaw.com/

3. Maring Williams Law Office

Maring Williams Law Office is a very respectable personal injury law firm. The firm has stood tall for 40+ years and has helped countless people who have suffered in motorcycle accidents.

Phone Number: +1 701 402 6644
URL: https://www.maringlaw.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The state of North Dakota has not elaborated on the specificity of helmets in its rules and regulations. It, however, can be inferred that motorcycle helmets simply have to be worn and that any type of helmet can be used.

Of course, the helmet must be DOT approved. That being said, open-face helmets should not cause any trouble in North Dakota.

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

$20 has been set as a fine in North Dakota if you are caught not wearing a helmet. This fine is rather small and will not increase regardless of how often you have been caught doing so.

You will have negative points added to your record, so wearing helmets is a good idea all the time.

Q3. When Did Motorcycle Helmet Become Law In North Dakota?

All the states began to pass mandatory helmet laws in 1968. North Dakota was among many other states which tried to challenge this attempt at setting new laws.

Fortunately, they have been toned down as originally, everyone was required to wear a helmet, but this was repealed in 1977. This reduced the requirements to only people that were below 18.

Q4. Should Passengers Wear A Helmet In North Dakota?

The passengers must also wear a helmet if they are on a motorcycle in North Dakota. This applies to all passengers.

Unlike the driver, all passengers must wear a helmet regardless of their age. This may seem unfair to most, but it is a law that has been set to ensure the public’s safety.

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

Any cycle which is considered motorized falls under the helmet laws of North Dakota. This means that even drivers of mopeds are required to wear a helmet.

This also applies to the moped passengers as well. Moreover, the ticket laws also apply here, so wear a helmet, or you will be fined.

Conclusion

North Dakota is not the most strict regarding motorcycle safety and helmet laws. It offers decent leeway and exceptions while ensuring the youth wear helmets.

Being a motorcyclist of North Dakota, if you have ever questioned, “Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in North Dakota?” you should now be well versed in all the laws and regulations you need to follow.

Following these rules should help you stay out of trouble and provide you with the safety you deserve. You should also have good knowledge of the best legal support teams in your area if you ever need a personal injury lawyer.