# Are Motorcycle Helmets Required by Law in Texas? | Attorney Brian White ![Are Motorcycle Helmets Required by Law in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Are-Motorcycle-Helmets-Required-by-Law-in-Texas-300x171.jpg) According to the [Texas Department of Transportation](https://www.txdot.gov/) (TxDOT), motor vehicle crashes claimed the lives of 562 motorcycle riders in 2022. This figure marked an 8% increase over the previous year. Motorcyclists can be vulnerable on Texas roadways and throughout the country. According to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/motorcycle-safety.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/mc/index.html) (CDC), helmets saved an estimated 1,872 lives of motorcyclists in 2017. If all motorcycle riders had worn helmets, 749 fewer people would have died.  The [United States](https://www.usa.gov/) loses $1.5 billion in economic costs associated with motorcyclists not wearing helmets.  Helmets are 37 percent effective for riders. They are 41 percent effective for passengers. Motorcycle helmets also lower the risk of [head injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/) by 69%.  Despite the benefits of wearing a helmet, [Texas law](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-661-003) does not require all motorcyclists to wear head protection when they take to the roads. Texas helmet law only requires certain individuals to wear a helmet. TX helmet law also limits police officers’ authority to stop motorcyclists not wearing helmets.  ## Motorcycle Helmet Requirements Under Texas Law  You only have to wear a helmet on a motorcycle in [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) under certain circumstances. When you are required to wear a helmet, it must meet the department’s safety standards.  For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ### Age and Training  Texas motorcycle riders must be 21 years old to operate a bike without a helmet.  In addition to meeting the age requirement, there is another rule. They must have successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course. Or, they must have health insurance coverage providing the person with medical benefits for injuries incurred due to an accident while operating or riding a motorcycle. ### Passengers Passengers have the same helmet requirements as riders do in Texas. If the passenger is 21 years of age or older and can satisfy one of the two stipulations described above, they are not legally mandated to wear a helmet.  [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ### Stops by the Police Texas motorcycle helmet law restricts who can ride without a helmet. However, there is a further limitation that makes the law difficult to enforce. The rule states that a police officer may not stop or detain a driver or passenger for the sole purpose of ascertaining the following:  - Whether the person has successfully completed the motorcycle operator training and safety course - Or whether a health insurance plan covers the person. It is unlawful for the police to stop you to determine whether you have adequate training or insurance. However, the police could stop you if they suspect you are under 21. In some cases, the police may pull you over for another reason, such as speeding. If this happens, they could ask you about not wearing a helmet. You might have to present evidence of your successful completion of motorcycle operator training or health insurance.  If you are 21 and can show that you have appropriate training or insurance, the police cannot arrest you or issue you a citation for your lack of wearing a helmet.  It is advisable to wear a helmet for your safety. However, Texas law protects your right to make your own decision under certain circumstances.  Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Contact the Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Motorcycle Accidents Blog Posts: [![Motorcycle Roadway Hazards](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Motorcycle-Roadway-Hazards-300x188.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-roadway-hazards/) [Motorcycle Roadway Hazards](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-roadway-hazards/) Every day, Texas roadways carry residents and visitors across our great state. In fact, Texas has more than 683,000 [![Texas Laws on the Road: What’s the Smallest Street Legal Motorcycle?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Texas-Laws-on-the-Road-Whats-the-Smallest-Street-Legal-Motorcycle-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/laws-on-the-road-whats-the-smallest-street-legal-motorcycle/) [Laws on the Road: What's the Smallest Street-Legal Motorcycle?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/laws-on-the-road-whats-the-smallest-street-legal-motorcycle/) Motorcycles come in a fairly wide range of shapes and sizes. In some cases, a vehicle that you might regard as a [![Common Injuries After a Houston Motorcycle Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-injuries-after-a-houston-motorcycle-accident/) [Common Injuries After a Houston Motorcycle Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-injuries-after-a-houston-motorcycle-accident/) Riding a motorcycle is much riskier than driving a car in Houston, TX. Based on the miles traveled, [![Houston Among Deadliest Cities for Motorcycles](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Houston-Among-Deadliest-Cities-for-Motorcycles-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-among-deadliest-cities-for-motorcycles/) [Houston Among Deadliest Cities for Motorcycles](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-among-deadliest-cities-for-motorcycles/) Houston was one of the nine cities with the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in 2019. Last year, 412 --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/are-motorcycle-helmets-required-by-law-in-texas/