West Virginia motorcycle helmet Laws 

All riders in West Virginia, including both operators and passengers, are required to wear helmets that meet the Department of Transportation requirements while riding a motorcycle.

As per the West Virginia state motorcycle helmet use law, all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet while riding. The helmet should be certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT sticker is provided on the helmet’s rear exterior. The helmet should be properly worn by the motorcyclist.

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles indicates that the helmet should fit snugly on the rider’s head and it should not be defective with loose padding, frayed straps, or cracks. Riders also need to wear eye protection if they do not have a windscreen or windshield installed on their motorcycle.

West Virginia motorcycle helmet laws were enacted in 1971. All riders and passengers on West Virginia motorcycles must wear a DOT-approved helmet. The Department of Transportation establishes minimum criteria for all helmets sold for use on public roads.

A helmet must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) final regulation for new motorcycle helmet labelling requirements in order to meet the “DOT helmet standard.”

West Virginia motorcycle helmet laws are subject to change as state helmet laws across the USA are periodically revised. Click here to check for any changes to West Virginia motorcycle helmet laws, as this is the best West Virginia state government source for motorcycle helmet laws and regulations we know of. 

If you know of a better online government resource for West Virginia motorcycle helmet law information, please use the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page and we’ll be happy to include your resource.