Texas Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle Helmet Statue:
Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear. :
"(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
"(1) operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle on a public street or highway; and

"(2) is not wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department.

"(b) A person commits an offense if the person carries on a motorcycle on a public street or highway a passenger who is not wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department.

"(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that at the time the offense was committed, the person required to wear protective headgear:

"(1) was at least 18 years old; and

"(2) presented a medical exemption complying with Subsection (d) to the peace officer who arrested the person.

(d) Only a practicing physician licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners may issue a medical exemption and the physician may issue the medical exemption only to a person who has an acute head or facial injury that would be worsened if the person wore protective headgear. The medical exemption must be on a form prescribed by the department and expires on the 10th day after the date it is issued. . . ."

FINE:

Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear. :
". . .(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $50."

STANDARDS:

Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear. :
"(a)(2) . . . protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department."

State Funded Rider Education
Available for all eligible applicants.
Required under age 18.

Daytime Use Of Headlight
Modulating headlight permitted.

Passenger Seat
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.

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

Article L Section 8, of the Texas Constitution guarantees the right to everyone in Texas of freedom of speech, expression, and association. Unlike the First Amendment of the United States Constitution which only protects against the government depriving a citizen of speech, expression, or association, the Texas Free Speech provision prohibits anyone, public or private, from depriving a citizen of his or her right to freedom of speech, expression, or association. Hajek v. Bill Mowbray Motors Inc, 647 S.W.2d 253, decided by the Texas Supreme Court in 1983.