Helmets
What is Maine's Law on Helmets
Bicycles and roller skis: 29-A MRS §2323(1) requires that, “A person under 16 years of age who is an operator or a passenger on a bicycle or an operator of roller skis on a public roadway or a public bikeway shall wear a helmet of good fit, positioned properly and fastened securely upon the head by helmet straps.” Violation of this statute is considered a traffic infraction and is punishable by up to a $25 fine (see 29-A MRS §2326). 29-A MRS §2063(14) requires an operator or passenger of an electric bicycle who is under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.Motorcycles and mopeds: In Maine, the following riders must wear protective headgear: operators or passengers who are under 18, operators under a learner’s permit or who are within one year of completing a driving test, and the passenger of an operator required to wear headgear. Violation of this section is a traffic infraction. See 29-A MRS §2083.ATVs: According to 12 MRSA §13157-A(13) and (14), persons under 18 may not operate or be carried on an ATV without protective headgear. Violation of this statute is punishable by a “fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500” and repeat offenders can be charged with a Class E crime.Snowmobiles: According to 12 MRS §13106-A(25), persons under 18 “shall wear protective headgear” and “a person operating a snowmobile…may not carry a passenger under 18 years of age on the snowmobile.” Violation of this statute is punishable by a “fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500” and repeat offenders can be charged with a Class E crime. The statute also states, “this subsection applies to snowmobile trails funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands.”Return to What's Maine's Law on...
3/25/2020 A-Z List
The Law and Legislative Reference Library provides this website for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an interpretation of the law, legal advice, or a legal opinion. There might be other statutes, rules, ordinances, or case law that are relevant to this topic. For advice on a specific legal matter, you need to contact an attorney.