Who must wear a helmet in Washington, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Washington has a universal motorcycle helmet law. To legally ride a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle you must wear a helmet that is compliant with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, regardless of age or experience (p.2-2).
DOT compliance is shown by 'DOT' labels on the rear exterior and the interior of the helmet. Novelty helmets are not DOT-compliant and may not be worn on public roadways. Helmets may carry added Snell or ECE certifications, but every helmet used in Washington must at least be DOT-compliant (p.2-2, 2-3).
There is no adult exemption in Washington. Every operator and every passenger on a motorcycle must wear a DOT-compliant helmet, at every age.
Any passenger must also be at least five years old and have a passenger seat and footboards or pegs (p.3-11). The single most important thing you can do to survive a crash is to wear a quality, properly fitted, securely fastened helmet, because head injury is the most common cause of rider death (p.2-2).
Riding without a required DOT-compliant helmet violates Washington law. The manual also notes that operating a motorcycle without the required permit or endorsement can get your motorcycle impounded and carries a current minimum fine of $389. Confirm current helmet-violation fine amounts with the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Separate from the helmet rule, Washington law requires eye protection when riding on public roadways, unless your motorcycle is equipped with a windshield (p.2-4).
Goggles or a shatter-resistant face shield work best; eyeglasses and sunglasses usually are not enough because they may not be shatter-resistant and can come off at speed. Tinted eye protection should not be worn in low-visibility conditions such as dusk, fog, or rain (p.2-4).
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. Washington uses TWO knowledge tests: a 50-question motorcycle permit test, then a 25-question endorsement test. Passing scores are not officially published; ~80% (permit) and ~68% (endorsement) are third-party estimates.