Kentucky motorcycle helmet Laws 

Kentucky motorcycle helmet laws require persons aged 20 and younger to wear a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle. There is no law for bicyclists wearing head protection in the state. 

Kentucky motorcycle helmet use laws include the use of a moped that has a 50cc engine displacement or higher, a brake horsepower of more than 2 or more than 30mph maximum speed. As per the NHTSA, motorcyclists are at more risk of fatalities than persons in a car and their injury risk is also high. 

Thus, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends motorcycle operators to wear protective gear while riding. The department recommends a helmet that is compliant with the DOT standards that have the DOT symbol on the outside rear of the helmet. The universal helmet law was initially used by the state until 1998 when it was repealed. 

Kentucky Motorcycle helmet laws were established in 1998. All persons under the age of 21 who operate or ride a motorbike or travel in an attached sidecar are required by Kentucky law to wear a helmet. Drivers with a motorcycle instruction permission and those who have held their motorcycle operator’s licence for less than one year must also wear helmets.

Passengers are not permitted to be carried by permission holders. Eye protection authorized by the Secretary of Transportation’s cabinet is required for all motorcycle operators, irrespective of age. 

Kentucky 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 Kentucky motorcycle helmet laws, as this is the best Kentucky state government source for motorcycle helmet laws and regulations we know of. 

If you know of a better online government resource for Kentucky 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.