Who must wear a helmet in Illinois, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Illinois has no motorcycle helmet law. A helmet is not required under Illinois law for the operator or any passenger, regardless of age (Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual p.4, 44).
The manual is emphatic that this is a legal fact, not a safety recommendation: one out of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries, head and neck injuries account for a majority of serious and fatal motorcyclist injuries, and — no matter the speed — helmeted riders are about three times more likely to survive a head injury than unhelmeted riders (p.4).
No rider or passenger of any age is required by Illinois law to wear a helmet. Because most crashes happen on short trips of less than five miles and at speeds below 30 mph — where a helmet can cut head injuries by half — the manual strongly recommends that every rider wear one anyway (p.4).
If you choose to wear a helmet, get the most protection by choosing a three-quarter or full-face helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation and state standards, fits snugly all the way around, and has no cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps. Keep it securely fastened every time you ride — otherwise it will likely fly off your head in a crash (p.4).
Because Illinois has no helmet requirement, there is no penalty for riding without a helmet. There is, however, a separate legal requirement for eye protection — see below. Confirm any current equipment-law details with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Eye protection IS required by Illinois law. The required-equipment rules state that both the driver and any passenger must be protected by glasses, goggles, or a transparent windshield (Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual p.44).
A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield gives the most protection — it shields your whole face from wind, dust, insects, and pebbles. Goggles protect only the eyes, and a windshield, eyeglasses, or sunglasses alone are not adequate substitutes. Effective eye or face protection is free of scratches, resists penetration, gives a clear view to either side, and fastens securely so it cannot blow off. Do not wear tinted protection at night (p.5).
A legal motorcycle helmet must meet the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FMVSS 218 standard. Look for the "DOT" certification label on the back. Helmets that meet stricter Snell or ECE standards offer additional protection. Avoid novelty helmets — they are not legal head protection.
Source: Some test details are confirmed by the state agency; the rest reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources. The Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual does not publish a question count or passing score; it includes only 4 sample knowledge questions. The 15-question, 12-to-pass (80%) figure shown here is the format used for the motorcycle endorsement supplement; a full Class M applicant may also take a general-knowledge test.