Who must wear a helmet in Maryland, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Maryland has a UNIVERSAL motorcycle helmet law. No person may operate or ride a motorcycle in Maryland unless wearing protective headgear that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 — there is no age, speed or insurance exemption.
Acceptable helmets carry a factory-applied U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) label. A Snell Memorial Foundation label also meets the requirement. If the DOT label is missing, a compliant helmet has an internal label showing the month and year of manufacture (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.vi-vii).
Every motorcycle operator must wear an approved helmet.
Every motorcycle passenger must wear an approved helmet, regardless of age.
Learner's-permit holders, applicants on a skill test, and all riders during the licensing process must wear an approved helmet — the MVA will not conduct the on-cycle test if the applicant is not wearing approved headgear and eye protection.
Riding without an approved helmet violates Maryland's motorcycle equipment law and can bring fines, points on the driving record, and the motorcycle being towed. An operator can be cited if their passenger is not wearing the required helmet. Confirm current fine amounts with the Maryland MVA.
Maryland law also requires APPROVED EYE PROTECTION for every motorcycle operator and rider — no person may operate or ride a motorcycle without an approved eye-protection device (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.vii).
There is one exception: if the motorcycle is equipped with an approved windscreen securely fastened and mounted at a proper height to protect the operator's face and eyes when seated in a normal riding position. Even then, the manual still recommends wearing approved eye protection.
Face shields, goggles, prescription lenses and 'over the counter' glasses must comply with the Federal Food and Drug Administration regulations on impact resistance. Tinted eye protection should never be worn at night or in low-light conditions.
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: Test details are confirmed on the official agency page. The motorcycle knowledge test requires 84% to pass — 21 of 25 correct. The 88% threshold (22 correct) applies to the standard Class C learner's permit, not the motorcycle test. Maryland adopts FMVSS 218 as the helmet standard and also requires approved eye protection unless the motorcycle has an approved windscreen at the proper height. The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Basic Rider Course (BRC) or Alternate Basic Rider Course (ABRC) waives the on-cycle skills test at the MVA. Lane sharing is prohibited.