Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Law

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  Please e-mail us if you believe our Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law information is out of date or otherwise incorrect.

Pennsylvania has full motorcycle helmet laws for motorcycle riders under 21!

STATUTE: Title 75. Vehicles. Part III. Operation of Vehicles. Chapter 35. Special Vehicles and Pedestrians. Subchapter B. Special Rules for Motorcycles. Section 3525. Protective Equipment for Motorcycle Riders. : 
"(a) Protective headgear.--Except as provided in subsection (d), no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle (other than a motorized pedalcycle) unless he is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the department.
. . . 
"(d) Exception.--The provisions of [subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a) shall not apply to the following: 
"(1) The operator or any occupant of a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab.
"(2) A person 21 years of age or older who has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years.
"(3) A person 21 years of age or older who has completed a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
"(4) The passenger of a person exempt under this subsection, if the passenger is 21 years of age or older."

FINE: The FINE is $25.00

STANDARDS: Title 75. Vehicles. Part III. Operation of Vehicles. Chapter 35. Special Vehicles and Pedestrians. Subchapter B. Special Rules for Motorcycles. Section 3525. Protective Equipment for Motorcycle Riders. : 
"Approval of equipment.--The department may approve or disapprove protective headgear and eye-protective devices required under this section and may issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval of the headgear and devices. The department shall publish lists of all protective headgear and eye-protective devices by name and type which have been approved. . . ."

PENNSYLVANIA MISCELLANEOUS MOTORCYCLE LAWS

State Funded Rider Education 
Available for all eligible applicants. 
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed. 
May waive knowledge test for successful completion of rider ed. 
Eye Protection 
Required by law. 
Daytime Use Of Headlight 
LIGHTED LAMP REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTORCYCLES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4302 (RELATING TO PERIODS FOR REQUIRING LIGHTED LAMPS), THE OPERATOR OF A MOTORCYCLE, MANUFACTURED DURING OR AFTER 1973, UPON A HIGHWAY SHALL DISPLAY THE LIGHTED HEAD LAMPS AND OTHER LAMPS AND ILLUMINATING DEVICES REQUIRED UNDER CHAPTER 43 (RELATING TO LIGHTING EQUIPMENT) AT ALL TIMES. 
Passenger Seat 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Passenger Footrests 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Helmet Speakers 
To be used for communication purposes only. 
Mirror 
Required by law. 
Required for vehicles manufactured after 4/1/77. 
Required by inspection regulations. 
Periodic Safety Inspection 
Required by law. 
65 MPH Speed Limit 
In effect on designated rural interstate highways. 

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

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, 43 Pa C. S. õ951, et seq. provides that "It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any place of public accommodation to refuse or deny to any person because of his race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, [or] national origin any of the accommodations, facilities or privileges of such place of public accommodation or to display or post and notice that any of the accommodations, facilities and privileges of any such place shall be refused or denied on account of race, color, religious creed, sex, ancestry, [or] national origin." 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 U.S. 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 writing or designs. The United States Supreme Court has long recognized and protected the right of an individual to freedom of association. 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; persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership are subject to lawsuit.