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Maine Motorcycle Laws and Information

Maine Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

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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).]

Fast Fred Ruddock with a Helmet Ticket in Polk County North Carolina

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

My Other Adventures

I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.

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