NC Motorcycle Helmet Laws
What are the North Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Laws
North Carolina motorcycle helmet laws and moped helmet laws require all drivers and passengers on motorcycles and mopeds must wear a motorcycle safety helmet that complies with federal law. North Carolina’s motorcycle helmet laws require that all riders must wear a compliant helmet. North Carolina is one of 20 states that has such a strong helmet law. Recent attempts to repeal or weaken the helmet law in North Carolina have failed in the legislature despite neighboring states such as South Carolina having no helmet law.
The North Carolina helmet law can be found at N.C.G.S. 20-140.4. In general, federal safety standards require that the helmet contain a thick inner liner, a DOT sticker and a manufacturers label. Be weary of novelty helmets as these may not be compliant with North Carolina law.
The federal requirements for motorcycle helmet safety can be found at the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 218. The federal requirements also include important factors such as impact strength and penetration resistance. Read more here about the federal safety requirements for motorcycle helmets.
Despite the recent attempts to repeal the North Carolina helmet law, it appears that this law will stick around in North Carolina for the foreseeable future.
If you have a question about a North Carolina helmet law or the role of a helmet in a North Carolina motorcycle wreck, feel free to contact the Raleigh, North Carolina motorcycle wreck lawyers at Hendren Redwine & Malone for a free consultation.
