Who must wear a helmet in New Hampshire, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
New Hampshire has a partial motorcycle helmet law. Under RSA 265:122, protective headgear of a type approved by the director — with a neck or chin strap — is required only for operators and passengers who are less than 18 years old.
Riders 18 and older are not legally required to wear a helmet. New Hampshire is well known as a state without an adult helmet mandate, though the Motorcycle Operator Manual strongly recommends that every rider wear a DOT-compliant helmet (p.5).
Anyone under 18 — whether operating the motorcycle or riding as a passenger — must wear approved protective headgear. An operator who carries an under-18 passenger without a helmet is in violation.
Operators and passengers 18 and older may legally ride without a helmet. The manual notes that helmeted riders are far more likely to survive a head injury, so wearing one remains the single best safety choice at any age (p.5-6).
Carrying an under-18 rider without required headgear, or an under-18 operator riding without one, is a violation under New Hampshire law and can bring a fine and other penalties. Confirm current fine amounts with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
Separate from the helmet rule, RSA 265:123 requires eye protection for the driver. If the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield or screen that protects the eyes and face when the driver sits upright, the driver must wear eyeglasses, goggles, or a protective face shield whenever the motorcycle is in motion.
This eye-protection requirement applies regardless of age — making it broader than the helmet law. The manual adds that a face shield protects your whole face, goggles protect only the eyes, and tinted protection should not be worn in low light (p.6).
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 NH DMV states all knowledge exams require 80%; the 25-question count is third-party consensus. The supplied manual is the generic MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (17th Edition) with NH covers, so riding content is from the manual and NH-specific legal facts (helmet/eye law, under-21 BAC, endorsement/permit, fees) are from NH RSA 265:120-123 / 265-A:2 and the NH DMV.