Who must wear a helmet in Louisiana, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Louisiana has a universal motorcycle helmet law. The Louisiana Motorcycle Operator Manual's mandatory requirements state plainly that all riders must wear an approved safety helmet — there is no exemption based on age, experience or insurance.
The helmet should meet or exceed the safety standards accepted by the State of Louisiana; recommended standards include the Snell Memorial Foundation, ANSI Z90.1, and DOT standards.
Every motorcycle operator and every passenger must wear an approved safety helmet, regardless of age. This applies to all motorcycle operators and passengers in Louisiana.
A child may ride as a passenger only if at least five years old, properly seated on the motorcycle, and wearing a safety helmet.
Riding without a required helmet — or carrying a passenger who is not wearing one — violates Louisiana's mandatory requirements for motorcyclists and can bring a citation and fine. Because the law also covers passengers, an operator can be held responsible for an unhelmeted passenger. Confirm current fine amounts with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Separate from the helmet rule, Louisiana law requires every motorcycle operator to wear an approved eye protective device — goggles, a face shield, or safety glasses approved for that use — unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield of sufficient height to afford adequate eye protection.
Eye protective devices used at night may not be tinted. Recommended standards include ANSI Z87.1 and VESC-8 for face shields and goggles; a face shield protects your whole face, while goggles protect only your eyes.
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 official page confirms 80%; the 25-question count comes from third-party sources.