Short answer: Michigan has a partial motorcycle helmet law. Every motorcycle operator and passenger must wear an approved helmet unless they are at least 21 years old and meet the insurance and experience requirements in MCL 257.658. An operator age 21 or older may ride without a helmet only if they have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years or passed an approved motorcycle safety course, and they carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. Riders under 21 must always wear a helmet.
Last updated October 2026. This guide explains Michigan law in general terms and is not legal advice for a specific situation.
Does Michigan Have a Helmet Law?
Yes. Michigan has had a motorcycle helmet law for decades. In 2012, the Legislature changed it from a universal helmet requirement to a partial one. Since then, some adult riders may legally ride without a helmet, but only when they meet every condition in the statute. Anyone who does not meet those conditions must still wear a helmet. So is Michigan a helmet state? Partly. Helmets are required for everyone except qualifying riders 21 and older.
The rule is in Section 658 of the Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL 257.658. The Michigan State Police motorcycle law guide summarizes the same requirements for riders and officers. The current text of the statute, checked in October 2026, contains the same age, experience and $20,000 insurance rules adopted in 2012.
Who Has to Wear a Helmet in Michigan?
| Rider | Helmet required? | What the law requires to ride without one |
|---|---|---|
| Operator under 21 | Yes, always | No exception |
| Passenger under 21 | Yes, always | No exception |
| Operator 21 or older | Yes, unless exempt | Endorsement held at least 2 years or an approved safety course passed, and at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits |
| Passenger 21 or older | Yes, unless exempt | The passenger or the operator carries the required first-party medical benefits (see the insurance section below) |
| Moped operator under 19 | Yes, always | No exception |
The Three Requirements for Riding Without a Helmet
An operator may ride without a helmet in Michigan only when all three of these are true:
- Age: the operator is at least 21 years old.
- Experience or training: the operator has held a motorcycle endorsement (the “CY” endorsement on a Michigan license) for at least 2 years, or has passed an approved motorcycle safety course.
- Insurance: the operator has at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits in effect.
If any one of those is missing, the helmet requirement applies. A 25-year-old who got the endorsement 6 months ago and never took a safety course, for example, must wear a helmet even with the right insurance.
Do Motorcycle Passengers Have to Wear Helmets in Michigan?
A passenger under 21 must always wear a helmet. A passenger 21 or older may ride without one only if the insurance requirement is met for the passenger. Under MCL 257.658, either the passenger or the operator can carry that coverage. When the operator is carrying a passenger, the operator’s first-party medical benefits must be at least $20,000 per person per occurrence, unless the passenger has their own coverage of at least $20,000.
Passengers also have to follow Michigan’s seating rules. A motorcycle may not carry more people than it is designed and equipped to carry, and riders must use a permanent, regular seat. Our guide to Michigan motorcycle laws covers passenger footrests and other equipment rules.
What Insurance Do You Need to Ride Without a Helmet?
The statute requires “security” for first-party medical benefits of at least $20,000 under Section 3103 of the Michigan Insurance Code. In practice, that is the medical benefits coverage on a motorcycle insurance policy. It is separate from the bodily injury liability coverage that pays other people when a rider causes a crash.
Riders who plan to go without a helmet should check their policy declarations page to confirm the medical benefits amount, and confirm the coverage covers a passenger when they carry one. Motorcycle insurance works differently from car insurance under Michigan No-Fault, which our Michigan No-Fault insurance page explains in more detail.
What Kind of Helmet Is Legal in Michigan?
The helmet must be approved under rules issued by the Michigan Department of State Police (Michigan Administrative Code R 28.901 and following). A novelty or decorative helmet that does not meet the approved standard does not satisfy the law. Riders should look for a helmet that is labeled as meeting the required safety standard and replace any helmet that has been in a crash.
Do You Still Need Eye Protection Without a Helmet?
Yes. Michigan’s eye protection rule is separate from the helmet rule. The Michigan State Police explains that motorcyclists traveling faster than 35 miles per hour need shatterproof goggles, a face shield or a windshield. Riding without a helmet does not remove that requirement.
Michigan’s 2012 Helmet Law Repeal: What Changed?
A University of Michigan study published in the American Journal of Public Health compared the 12 months before and after the partial repeal of the helmet law, which passed in April 2012. According to Michigan Medicine’s summary of the study:
- Helmet use fell 24 percent among riders in police-reported crashes and 27 percent among riders treated at trauma centers.
- Head injuries among motorcyclists treated at trauma centers rose 14 percent, and skull fractures rose 38 percent.
- Riders without helmets in crashes had a fatality rate of 5.4 percent, compared with 2.8 percent for riders wearing helmets.
Riding without a helmet is legal for riders who qualify. These numbers are worth knowing when making that choice.
Motorcycle Accident Without a Helmet in Michigan: Can You Still Recover?
Often, yes. Two separate questions come up after a motorcycle crash, and helmet use affects them differently.
No-Fault benefits
When a motorcycle crash involves a motor vehicle, the injured rider may be entitled to Michigan No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, such as medical expenses and wage loss. PIP benefits are not based on fault, and the exclusions listed in the No-Fault Act do not include helmet use. Which insurer pays depends on the order of priority in the statute and the coverage involved. If no insurance can be identified, the rider may be able to apply through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
A claim against the at-fault driver
Not wearing a helmet does not decide who caused the crash. A driver who turns left in front of a motorcycle is not excused because the rider had no helmet. Helmet use can come up, however, when the other side argues about the injuries, especially head and brain injuries. How much it matters depends on the facts, the medical evidence and Michigan’s comparative fault rules.
Deadlines still apply either way. Our guide to the Michigan statute of limitations lists the time limits for PIP claims and injury lawsuits.
Keep Your Helmet After a Crash
If you were wearing a helmet in a crash, do not throw it away or have it repaired. The damage to a helmet can show how and where an impact happened, and it may be important evidence later. The same goes for jackets, gloves, boots and the motorcycle itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan’s Helmet Law
Is it legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet in Michigan?
Only for riders 21 or older who meet the statute’s conditions. Operators also need 2 years with an endorsement or a passed safety course, plus at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. Everyone else must wear an approved helmet.
When was Michigan’s helmet law repealed?
Michigan partially repealed its universal helmet law in April 2012. Before that, all motorcycle riders had to wear helmets. The current partial law is in MCL 257.658.
Is Michigan a helmet state?
Partly. Michigan requires helmets for all motorcycle riders under 21 and for older riders who do not meet the experience and insurance requirements. Qualifying riders 21 and older may choose to ride without one.
Is there a new Michigan helmet law in 2026?
The current text of MCL 257.658, checked in October 2026, contains the same age 21, experience and $20,000 insurance rules adopted in 2012.
Do I need a helmet if I just got my motorcycle endorsement?
Yes, unless you are 21 or older and passed an approved motorcycle safety course, and you carry the required medical benefits. Without the course, you need to have held the endorsement for 2 years.
Can my passenger ride without a helmet?
Only if your passenger is 21 or older and the required first-party medical benefits are in effect for them, either on your policy or their own.
Do moped riders have to wear helmets in Michigan?
Moped operators under 19 must wear a helmet on public roads under MCL 257.658.
Do ORV, UTV and ATV riders have to wear helmets in Michigan?
Generally, yes. Off-road vehicles fall under a different law, MCL 324.81133, which requires operators and passengers to wear a helmet and eye protection approved by the United States Department of Transportation. Exceptions include riders wearing a seat belt in a vehicle with a roof that meets crash helmet standards, and some riders on private property (but not riders under 16, or 16 and 17 year olds without a parent’s consent).
Do autocycle drivers need a helmet in Michigan?
Not if the autocycle has a roof that meets or exceeds crash helmet standards. Under MCL 257.658, autocycle occupants must wear seat belts on public highways.
Will my No-Fault benefits be denied because I was not wearing a helmet?
Helmet use is not one of the exclusions listed in the No-Fault Act (MCL 500.3113). Whether PIP benefits are available after a motorcycle crash depends mainly on whether a motor vehicle was involved and which insurance applies. One exclusion that does matter for riders: a person who owns or registers a motorcycle involved in the crash without the required insurance in effect is generally not entitled to PIP benefits.
Does not wearing a helmet mean I caused the crash?
No. Fault for the crash and the cause of a specific injury are separate questions. Helmet use may be raised about head injuries, but it does not decide who caused the collision.
Talk With a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member was hurt in a motorcycle crash, Khamo Law can review the insurance involved, explain the No-Fault benefits that may be available and look at who caused the collision. Learn more on our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer page. Our attorneys and staff speak Arabic, Chaldean and English.
Call (248) 466-0606 or contact Khamo Law online for a free consultation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.