Who must wear a helmet in Minnesota, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Minnesota has a partial motorcycle helmet law. A DOT-approved helmet is required for operators and passengers under 18 years of age and for anyone operating a motorcycle on an instruction permit (MN Manual, Helmets).
Riders 18 and older who hold a motorcycle endorsement are not legally required to wear a helmet, but the Minnesota Department of Public Safety strongly recommends helmet use for all motorcyclists and passengers.
You must wear a DOT-approved helmet if you are under 18 (operator or passenger), or if you are operating a motorcycle on a motorcycle instruction permit, regardless of age.
Adult riders 18 and older with a full endorsement may legally ride without a helmet. Even so, helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries, and most crashes happen on short trips just minutes from home (MN Manual, Helmet Use).
Riding without a required helmet — or carrying an under-18 passenger who is not wearing one — violates Minnesota law and can bring a citation. Because the rule covers passengers and permit riders, an operator can be cited for an unhelmeted minor passenger. Confirm current penalty amounts with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services.
Separate from the helmet rule, Minnesota requires every motorcyclist to wear protective eyewear — glasses, goggles or a face shield — even if the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen (MN Manual, Protective Eyewear).
Contact lenses do not qualify as protective eyewear. A face shield protects your whole face while goggles protect only your eyes, and tinted eye protection should not be worn when little outside light is available (MN Manual, Eye and Face Protection).
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 reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources — confirm with the state agency before your visit. The motorcycle knowledge test is 25 questions — 20 correct (80%) to pass. The 40-question exam is for the standard Class D license, not the motorcycle test.