Who must wear a helmet in Nebraska, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Nebraska has a universal motorcycle helmet law. Every motorcycle and moped operator and passenger must wear a protective helmet manufactured to U.S. Department of Transportation (FMVSS 218) standards, regardless of age (Nebraska Motorcycle Laws).
Anyone who violates the helmet law is guilty of a traffic infraction and is fined fifty dollars.
Every operator and passenger on a motorcycle or moped must wear a DOT-compliant helmet — there is no general age exemption.
The one exemption: a rider who submits proof of completing an approved motorcycle safety course to the Nebraska DMV may waive the helmet requirement. Details are on dmv.nebraska.gov.
Riding without a required helmet is a traffic infraction in Nebraska, with a fifty-dollar fine. Because the law also covers passengers and mopeds, an operator can be cited for carrying an unhelmeted passenger.
Nebraska law does NOT require motorcycle eye or face protection — a real difference from many states that mandate it. The Nebraska Motorcycle Manual still strongly recommends it.
A face shield protects your whole face; goggles protect only your eyes. A windshield is not a substitute for either, eyeglasses or sunglasses won't keep your eyes from watering, and tinted protection should not be worn when little light is available (Nebraska manual 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 official DMV page confirms the 80% standard; the 25-question count comes from third-party sources. An approved Nebraska motorcycle safety course (MSF Basic RiderCourse) waives both the written and drive tests within 24 months.