Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet In Vermont?

Many states force you to wear a helmet under different laws. Only three such states exist. The rest force their motorcyclists to wear a helmet, at least to a certain age.

While some states allow you to drive your motorcycle without a helmet, they are few and far between. You are legally required to wear a helmet at all times. This is regardless of your age and experience.

If you were unaware of the motorcycle helmet laws in Vermont, you likely had to have asked,” Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Vermont?”. If you were hoping that you could stop wearing it after a certain age, you are in bad luck.

I urge you to keep reading to fully grasp helmet rules in Vermont. You are sorely mistaken if you thought this was the end of the laws. You have to take care of multiple other nuances as well.

I will be explaining all of these in the rest of the article.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws And Rules In Vermont

It can be simply said that Vermont follows the universal helmet laws. This means that everyone who drives a motorcycle or vehicle that is considered a motorcycle needs to wear a helmet.

Age and experience have no factor in this rule. Aside from one specific type of vehicle, no one is above the law and needs to wear a helmet. This also translates to the passengers that are traveling on motorcycles.

Many people find this very unfair. Many different states have gone against this approach because of how many people believe this restricts people’s freedom.

Unfortunately, just as many states force people to wear helmets. This can be due to high fatalities while driving a motorcycle.

Alternatively, this could have also been done to make the lives of the government and police easier. If someone does not drive with a helmet, they get pulled over. It is as simple as that.

If you seek an exemption from motorcycle helmet guidelines in Vermont, you must get a particular vehicle. Vermont makes an exception for people in fully enclosed autocycles.

If you do not know what an autocycle is, don’t worry, it is not as common a term as you’d think. Autocycles are vehicles that come with a windshield and have their tops and sides fully enclosed.

They must be capable of supporting the vehicle’s weight. They must also be able to protect the vehicle’s passengers when it is on enclosures.

Motorcycle Helmet Requirements In VT

According to the laws set by the state of Vermont, no one can ride without a helmet. I have already established this.

However, I also have to tell you what type of helmet you must wear. Any headgear that you wear must have a neck and chin strap.

The helmet must also be equipped with reflector zing. Many of these other specifications are similar to the specifications required to be DOT approved.

These include attributes like weight, inner lining, and protrusions. Additionally, the state of Vermont also has rules related to eye protection.

Long story short, your helmet must also provide eye protection. Alternatively, you can equip any other protective gear for your eyes.

Glasses and goggles are optimal if you want an open-face helmet. If you want to go overboard, you can wear a face shield. Either way, you must protect your eyes with something shatter resistant and durable.

Penalties/Legal Consequences

Since the state of Vermont forces all motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, you’d think breaking the law would have severe consequences.

Thankfully this is not the case, and instead, all you have to do is pay a fine. This fine is not set and can range from small and harmless to huge and scary.

What’s worse is that this depends on the officer’s discretion. This can lead to some inconsistent fines.

The minimum fine you can be forced to pay starts at $12.50. If you are in trouble, this fine can get 100 times worse. The fine itself can then go up to a maximum of $1,250.

Fines are good or bad, depending on your point of view. Another thing that you have to take care of is the fact that Vermont has a comparative negligence statute.

This means that you are liable for the accidents that you cause. You will face the consequences accordingly, depending on how much you were responsible for.

If your responsibility crosses more than 50%, then you will not be able to get your compensation. Not wearing a helmet contributes to this, which is why you need to wear your helmet while driving your motorcycle.

Why Does Vermont Make Everyone Wear A Helmet?

The state of Vermont started with universal helmet laws. This has been the norm since 1968, and people have gotten used to wearing helmets when driving their motorcycles.

But this does not mean that people like wearing helmets. Many people say that these rules infringe on their rights and restrict their freedom. So why does the state continue to follow these rules?

The first reason could easily be because it is much easier to manage. You either wear a helmet or don’t and get fined. Simple as that.

There are no major exceptions that force police officers and law enforcement to think excessively.

This set of rules is also extremely to follow. Since the only rule is to wear a helmet, it is much easier for people to remember what the rules are.

Get In Touch With Experienced Motorcycle Attorneys In Vermont

Motorcycle accidents can be very traumatizing for most people. This makes them unable to make the conscious decisions required in a courtroom setting.

Luckily, these people do not have to fight legal battles alone. There are many different attorneys that will help you.

Here are some competent law firms that I have listed below:

1. Sabbeth Law – Vermont & New Hampshire Personal Injury Attorneys

It is the job of the incredible lawyers at Sabbeth Law to make sure that you get full and fair compensation in your motorcycle accident case.

They go above and beyond what you would expect from the average law firm, regularly traveling to clients, regardless of where they are.

Phone Number: 802-457-1112
URL: https://sabbethlaw.com/

2. Champlain Valley Law – Injury Lawyer Drew Palcsik

These lawyers know exactly what you are going through when you survive a motorcycle accident.

This is why they will provide exactly what you need and ensure speedy justice. They aim to make the entire legal process as easy as possible for you.

Phone Number: 802-234-3181
URL: https://champlainvalleylaw.com/

3. The Law Offices of Steven A. Bredice PLC

These civil trial lawyers focus mainly on accidents such as motorcycle accidents. They have a good amount of experience and will do everything they can to leverage the opposing side and secure the win for you.

Phone Number: 802-644-6610
URL: https://accidentattorneysvermont.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If your open-face helmet follows the motorcycle helmet laws set by Vermont, you can wear them without any issues.

You will need to ensure that your eyes are always protected. This defeats some of the purposes of an open-face helmet, but it is required for your safety.

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

The fine for not wearing a helmet in the state of Vermont is not set. The officer’s discretion will mostly determine the fine.

Depending on your behavior, record, and other factors, you may be charged differently than someone else. The minimum fine is $12.50, and the maximum is $1,250.

Q3. When Did Motorcycle Helmet Become Law In Vermont?

As is the case with all universal helmet laws, they were first introduced in 1968. While many states decided to change their laws on motorcycle helmets, Vermont is one of the few states that stood its ground.

Q4. Should Passengers Wear A Helmet In Vermont?

Anyone that travels on a motorcycle is required by the law in the state of Vermont to wear a helmet. This includes passengers as well.

They can be of any age and have any amount of prior experience. They will still need to wear a helmet when traveling. Failure to do so can get you pulled over and then fined.

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

While not specifically stated, moped users are classified in the motorcycle category. This means that they need to wear a helmet just like other motorcyclists. Only autocycles are allowed to not wear helmets.

Conclusion

The state of Vermont has very strict motorcycle helmet laws. All of these laws make you consider wearing a helmet dozens of times before leaving the house on your motorcycle.

Failure to do so can lead to grave consequences if you end up in an accident. They can also lead to a heavy fine if the police pull you over for not wearing one.

You should no longer be asking, “Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Vermont?”. Instead, it should just be second nature to you to wear a helmet and ride your motorcycle.