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Alabama Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Alabama law requires anyone who operates or rides on a motorcycle to wear protective headgear specifically designed for motorcycle riders and passengers. The law requires the motorcycle helmet to have a hard exterior shell of non-shatterable material that resists impact and penetration. The motorcycle helmet must also have a firmly secured shock absorbent cradle for the head that is designed to support the motorcycle helmet and maintain separation between the head and outer shell. The padding of the motorcycle helmet must be impact-resistant, absorbent, and of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is in close proximity with or may contact the outer shell. Additionally, the Motorcycle helmet must have a permanently attached adjustable chin strap that holds it securely in place. The law requires all drivers and passengers to have the chin strap secured while the bike is in motion. The motorcycle helmet need not have a visor, but, if it does, the visor must be flexible or of the snap-on type, and it cannot be more than one-quarter inch above the surface or exterior shell. The only exception to Alabama's helmet law is for those who ride in a sidecar with an enclosed cab.

STATUTE: Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 5A; Rules of the Road; Article 11. Motorcycles; Section 245. Headgear ... required for motorcycle riders ...":
"No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless he is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by section 32-12-41."

FINE: The fine in Alabama for violating the helmet law is $90.

STANDARDS: Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 12. Motorcycles and Motor-driven Cycles; Article 3. Motorcycle Helmets; Section 41 Specifications:
"The protective helmet shall meet the following specifications:

"(1) Design. -- One which is specifically designed for motorcycle riders and motorcycle passenger use.
"(2) Exterior shell. -- A hard exterior shell of non-shatterable material, resistant to impact and penetration.
"(3) Cradle. -- A firmly secured shock absorbent cradle for the head designed to support the helmet and maintain separation between the head and outer shell. Materials used in this portion of protective helmet shall be of durable quality and with characteristics that will not undergo appreciable alteration under the influence of aging or of the circumstances of use to which the helmet is normally subjected. Materials commonly known to cause skin irritation or disease shall not be used for these parts of the assembly which come in contact with the skin.
"(4) Padding. -- Impact-resistant, absorbent padding or cushioning material of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is in close proximity with or may contact the outer shell.
"(5) Chin strap. -- A permanently attached adjustable chin strap that will hold the motorcycle helmet securely in place. A rider must at all times, while a motorized vehicle is in motion, have a chin strap firmly in place on or under the chin.
"(6) Visor. -- Not required, but, if the motorcycle helmet is so equipped, the visor must be flexible or of a snap on type; however, no external projections shall be more than one-quarter inch above surface of the exterior shell."
Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 12. Motorcycles and Motor-driven Cycles; Article 5A. Rules of the Road; Article 11. Motorcycles; Section 245 . . . approval of headgear . . . (d)

"The director of public safety is hereby authorized to approve or disapprove protective headgear, and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval thereof. The director of public safety shall publish lists of all protective headgear which have been approved by him."

State Funded Rider Education
Available for all eligible applicants.

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

65 MPH Speed Limit
In effect on designated rural interstate highways