Connecticut Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

Sec. 14-289c. Riding motorcycle sidesaddle; carrying of passenger on motorcycle not so designed. Any person who rides sidesaddle on a motorcycle and any operator of a motorcycle who permits such riding or who carries a passenger on any motorcycle not designed for passengers shall have committed an infraction.
(1967, P.A. 396, S. 2; P.A. 75-577, S. 115, 126.)

Sec. 14-289d. Vision-protecting devices for motorcyclists. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue regulations, in accordance with nationally accepted standards, concerning specifications for vision-protecting devices, including but not limited to goggles, glasses, face shields, windshields and wind screens for use by operators of motorcycles.
(b) Failure to wear either goggles, glasses or a face shield of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications as called for by such regulations shall be an infraction. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to operators of motorcycles equipped with a wind screen or windshield which conforms to the minimum specifications called for by such regulations.
(1967, P.A. 375, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-577, S. 114, 126.)

Sec. 14-289e. Headgear for motorcyclists and passengers. Section 14-289e is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 376, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-369; P.A. 76-326, S. 1, 2.)

Sec. 14-289f. Liability insurance required for motorcycles. No owner of any motorcycle, as defined in section 14-1, registered in this state may operate or permit the operation of such motorcycle unless it has been insured for the amounts required by section 14-112 with an exclusion in personal injury coverage for passengers. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 84-291, S. 1; 84-546, S. 155, 173.)
History: P.A. 84-546 made technical change for statutory consistency.
See Sec. 14-12(f)(5) re proof of insurance requirement prior to registration.

Motorcycle Helmet Law

Sec. 14-289g. Protective headgear for motorcyclists and passengers under eighteen years old. Regulations. Penalty. (a) On and after January 1, 1990, no person under eighteen years of age may operate a motorcycle, as defined in section 14-1, and no person under the age of eighteen may be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless such person is wearing protective headgear of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications established by regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and the provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 571.218, as amended, establishing specifications for protective headgear for use by operators and passengers of motorcycles.
(c) Any person subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section who fails to wear protective headgear which conforms to the minimum specifications established by such regulations shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not less than ninety dollars.

Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association (CMRA)

The CMRA functions as Connecticut's primary SMRO, advocating for the rights, safety, and interests of motorcyclists within the state. Their activities generally include lobbying the state legislature on motorcycle-related laws (like helmet and licensing issues), promoting rider safety and awareness, and participating in charitable events.The CMRA has been cited in historical accounts as the Connecticut Motorcycle Rights Organization which was active in the formation of the national movement.