Wisconsin Motorcycle Helmet Law

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  Please e-mail us if you believe our Wisconsin motorcycle helmet law information is out of date or otherwise incorrect.

WISCONSIN HELMETS REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDERS UP TO AGE 18 HELMETS REQUIRED FOR NOVICES OR PERMIT HOLDERS 

Motorcycle Helmet Statue: 
Chapter 347. Equipment of Vehicles. Section 347.485. Protective headgear for use on Type 1 Motorcycles. : 
"(1)(a) No person who holds an instructional permit under s. 343.07(4) or who is under 18 years of age may operate or ride upon a Type 1 motorcycle on any highway unless the person is wearing protective headgear of a type which meets the standards established for motorcycle operation in 49 CFR 571.218 and the chin strap is properly fastened. 
"(am) No person may operate a Type 1 motorcycle when carrying a passenger under 18 years of age unless the passenger is wearing protective headgear."

STANDARDS:

Chapter 347. Equipment of Vehicles. Section 347.485. Protective headgear for use on Type 1 Motorcycles. : 
"(1)(a) . . . protective headgear of a type which meets the standards established for motorcycle operation in 49 CFR 571.218 . . .."

State Funded Rider Education 
Available for all eligible applicants. 
Required under age 18. 
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed. 

Eye Protection 
Required for instructional permit holders. 
Required unless equipped with wind screen which is 15" or higher above handlebars. 

Daytime Use Of Headlight 
Required by law. 
Modulating headlight permitted. 

Passenger Seat 
Required if carrying a passenger. 

Passenger Footrests 
Required if carrying a passenger. 

Mirror 
Required by law. 

Periodic Safety Inspection 
Random inspections, required by law. 

65 MPH Speed Limit 
In effect on designated rural interstate highways. 

WISCONSIN - DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Wisconsin Statutes Section 942.04 makes it a crime to deny the full and equal enjoyment of any public place of accommodation or amusement to any person because of sex, race, color, creed, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. A citizen has the right to move about freely and peaceably in public places, without fear of being discriminatelv removed therefrom. Marie: v. Ritger. 304 F. SUPP 354 (ED.WIS.). 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 Coheir p. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971) that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writings 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. This, a person 5 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.