Iowa Motorcycle Helmet Law

This list of Iowa motorcycle helmet laws is a reference only and you should always refer to the Iowa D.O.T. for current requirements.  Please e-mail us if you believe our Iowa motorcycle helmet law information is out of date or otherwise incorrect.

Iowa is 100% Helmet Law Free!

STATUTE: There is no helmet law statute in Iowa.

FINE: There is no fine.

STANDARDS:In that Iowa does not have a helmet law, the only standards for helmets are the standards imposed on manufacturers and distributors of helmets -- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 --

MISCELLANEOUS IOWA MOTORCYCLE LAWS

State Funded Rider Education 
Available for all eligible applicants. 
Required for first-time applicants. 
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed. 
Daytime Use Of Headlight 
Required by law for vehicles manufactured during or after 4/1/77. 
Modulating headlight permitted. 
Passenger Seat 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Passenger Footrests 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Mirror 
Required by law. 
65 MPH Speed Limit 
In effect on designated rural interstate highways. 

IOWA: DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Iowa Statutes Section 601A.7 makes it an offense to unfairly and unconstitutionally deny the use, advantages, facilities, services or privileges of any public accommodation. Besides criminal penalties, private lawsuits may be brought for unconstitutional discrimination, Amos vs.. Prom, Inc (D.C. Iowa 1954) 117 F.Supp. 615. In addition, any person whose exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States has been interfered with, or attempted to be interfered with may institute and prosecute a civil action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief, including the award of compensatory monetary damages. The Supreme Court ruled in the case of Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971) that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writings or designs. A citizen has the right to move about freely and peaceably in public places, without fear of being discriminately removed therefrom. Nanez v. Ritger, 304 F. Supp. 354 (ED. WIS.). In addition, the right of an individual to freedom of association has long been recognized and protected by the United States Supreme Court Thus, a person's right to wear clothing of his choice, as well as his right to belong to any club or organization of his choice is constitutionally protected, and persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership are subject to lawsuit.