In Alabama, all motorcyclists must wear a helmet. Failure to do so can land you with a misdemeanor charge. Penalties include a fine of up to $100 and possible jail time or hard labor for up to 180 days.

Riding a motorcycle can be a thrill—but one that comes with increased risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

reports that motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in an accident than a passenger in a car. To reduce this risk, Alabama is one of the 19 states to implement a universal motorcycle helmet law—if you’re on a motorcycle, you are legally required to wear a helmet.

To break down the specifics of Alabama’s motorcycle helmet laws,

car insurance

and broker app

Jerry

is here! In the article, we'll lay out the basics of the law, what the state considers proper protective headgear, and the penalties for breaking the motorcycle helmet laws in Alabama. (We'll also drop some tips for how to save on your

Alabama car insurance costs

below.)

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Alabama?

Yes. Anyone on a motorcycle, regardless of age or health insurance status, must wear a helmet. The Code of Alabama

Section 32-12-41

defines proper protective headgear. Legally, motorcycle helmets must follow these guidelines:

Design: A motorcycle helmet must be manufactured specifically for motorcyclists. A bicycle or snowboarding helmet isn’t going to cut it.

Exterior shell: The helmet has to have a hard, shatter-proof exterior shell that will protect against impact or penetration.

Cradle: The part of the helmet that protects the head must be shock-absorbent, made of durable materials, and not cause skin irritation.

Padding: There must be impact-resistant and absorbent padding to cushion the head anywhere it may come in contact with the outer shell.

Chinstrap: The chinstrap must be permanently attached to the helmet and must be used on or under the rider’s chin whenever the motorcycle is in motion.

Visor: Helmets are not legally required to have a visor, but if a motorcyclist has one, it must be flexible and shatter-proof. It also must be a snap-on visor.

MORE:

How to get motorcycle insurance

Are there exceptions to Alabama’s motorcycle helmet law?

No. Alabama’s motorcycle helmet law is universal. All motorcyclists must have their helmets firmly secured any time they are in motion.

Penalties for breaking Alabama’s motorcycle helmet law

Breaking Alabama’s motorcycle helmet law can land you with some serious penalties. If you’re caught riding a motorcycle without a proper helmet, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. You’ll also have to pay a fine of $1 to $100 and possibly spend up to 180 days in prison.

Why it’s important to wear a motorcycle helmet

Wearing a helmet may not always look cool—but helmets definitely save lives. One in five motorcycle accidents result in serious neck or head injuries, but wearing a helmet can significantly reduce this sobering statistic. Every year, over 1,600 lives are saved because of motorcycle helmets.

In Alabama, wearing a helmet while you’re on your bike can also save you from having to pay fines or spend time in jail. By following the motorcycle helmet law, you’re protecting yourself and your driving record from taking serious damage.

How to find affordable car and motorcycle insurance

Once you’re all set with a proper motorcycle helmet, why not take a minute to get better rates on your insurance? Car insurance super app

Jerry

can provide you with a thrilling list of competitive quotes in under a minute!

Sign-up is easy—just download our

trustworthy super app

and answer a few questions to get started. Jerry uses information from your previous insurer to expedite the process, pulling quotes from dozens of top insurers to make sure you’re getting the best rates available.

No paperwork, no phone calls—just savings! The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on their insurance!

“
Jerry
found me useful quotes immediately, so I switched over my insurance in under an hour! I’m now helping my parents use Jerry because they just bought a new car.” —Brindi J.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry