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
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