New Hampshire Motorcycle Helmet Law

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  Please e-mail us if you believe our New Hampshire motorcycle helmet law information is out of date or otherwise incorrect.

New Hampshire is 100% Helmet Law Free!

STATUTE:

Title XXI. Motor Vehicles. Chapter 265. Rules of the Road, Special Rules for Motorcycles. Section 265.122 Protective Headgear. : 
"I. No person less than 18 years of age may drive or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears protective headgear of a type approved by the director. Such headgear shall be equipped with either a neck or chin strap. 
"II. The director is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt rules pursuant to RSA 260:5 covering the types of protective headgear and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved headgear which meet his established specifications.

"III. If federal law is altered so that the mandatory wearing of protective headgear on motorcycles by persons less than 18 years of age is not required as a condition to the receipt by the state of any federal funds, paragraphs I and II shall be void.

"IV. Any motorcycle operator who transports a person under the age of 18 years, when such person is in violation of paragraph I, shall be guilty of a violation."

 

MISCELLANEOUS NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTORCYCLE LAWS


State Funded Rider Education 
Available for all eligible applicants. 
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed. 
Eye Protection 
Required unless equipped with wind screen. 
Daytime Use Of Headlight 
Modulating headlight permitted. 
Passenger Seat 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Passenger Footrests 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Mirror 
Required by law. 
Periodic Safety Inspection 
Required by law. 
65 MPH Speed Limit 
In effect on designated rural interstate highways. 

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

The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights provides that "it shall be unlawful discriminatory practice: For any person, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of any place of public accommodation, because of the age, sex, race, creed, color, marital status, physical or mental handicap or national origin of any person, directly or indirectly to refuse, withhold from or deny to such person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges thereof..." NH R.S.A 354-A. 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. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Cohen v. California, 403 US 15 (1971) that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs. 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 the 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.

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