Maine Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

§2083. Protective headgear

1. Requirement. The following persons must wear protective headgear:

A. If under 15 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or in an attached side car; [2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

B. If under 15 years of age, an operator of an off-road motorcycle; [2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

C. An operator of a motorcycle, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and [2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]
[2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

2. Compliance. An operator of a motorcycle, parent or guardian may not allow a passenger under the age of 15 years to ride in violation of this section.[2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

3. Standard. Protective headgear must conform with minimum standards of construction and performance as prescribed by the American National Standards Institute specifications Z 90.1 or by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

4. Public program. In furtherance of reasonable protective public policy, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety must develop and implement a public information and education program designed to encourage helmet utilization by all motorcycle and moped riders.[2005, c. 577, §33 (amd).]

5. Violation. Violation of this section is a traffic infraction.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

Other motorcycle laws:

§2062. Motorcycles

1. Seating. Seating on a motorcycle is as follows.

A. A person operating a motorcycle may ride only on the permanent and regular seat attached. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

B. More than 2 persons may not ride on a motorcycle. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

C. The number of passengers in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle may not exceed the number of permanent seats for which the sidecar has been designed, to a maximum of 2 persons. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

D. A passenger may only ride on permanent seating with no more than one passenger occupying each seat. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]
[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

2. Headlight. When the motorcycle is on a public way, the motorcycle's headlight must be on.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

3. Handlebars. A person may not operate on a public way a motorcycle equipped with handlebars whose handgrips are higher than the shoulder level of the operator.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

4. Lane use; motorcycles and mopeds. Lane use by motorcycles and mopeds is restricted as follows.

A. An operator of a motorcycle other than a moped may fully use a lane. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 (new); Pt. X, §2 (aff).]

B. More than 2 motorcycles may not be operated abreast within the same lane. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 (new); Pt. X, §2 (aff).]

C. A motor vehicle may not be driven in such a manner as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 (new); Pt. X, §2 (aff).]

D. A moped may be operated only in single file and as far as practicable to the right side of the way at all times, except when making a left turn. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 (new); Pt. X, §2 (aff).] [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §41 (rpr); Pt. X, §2 (aff).]

5. Passing. A motorcycle operator may not overtake or pass in the lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except for passing a bicycle. This subsection does not apply to a law enforcement officer performing an officer's duties.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

6. Between lines. A person may not operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]

7. Raising wheel. A person may not intentionally or knowingly raise the front wheel of a motorcycle off the surface when operating it on a public way or any place where public traffic may reasonably be anticipated.[1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]