Missouri Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

Operation of motor vehicle without proper license prohibited, penalty --motorcycles--special license--protective headgear, failure to wear, fine, amount--no points to be assessed.

302.020. 1. Unless otherwise provided for by law, it shall be unlawful for any person, except those expressly exempted by section 302.080, to:

(1) Operate any vehicle upon any highway in this state unless the person has a valid license;

(2) Operate a motorcycle or motortricycle upon any highway of this state unless such person has a valid license that shows the person has successfully passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle as prescribed by the director. The director may indicate such upon a valid license issued to such person, or shall issue a license restricting the applicant to the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle if the actual demonstration, required by section 302.173, is conducted on such vehicle;

(3) Authorize or knowingly permit a motorcycle or motortricycle owned by such person or under such person's control to be driven upon any highway by any person whose license does not indicate that the person has passed the examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle or has been issued an instruction permit therefor;

(4) Operate a motor vehicle with an instruction permit or license issued to another person.

2. Every person operating or riding as a passenger on any motorcycle or motortricycle, as defined in section 301.010, RSMo, upon any highway of this state shall wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion. The protective headgear shall meet reasonable standards and specifications established by the director.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 302.340 any person convicted of violating subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection 1 of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any person convicted a third or subsequent time of violating subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection 1 of this section is guilty of a class D felony. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 302.340, violation of subdivisions (3) and (4) of subsection 1 of this section is a class C misdemeanor and the penalty for failure to wear protective headgear as required by subsection 2 of this section is an infraction for which a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars may be imposed. Notwithstanding all other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary, no court costs shall be imposed upon any person due to such violation. No points shall be assessed pursuant to section 302.302 for a failure to wear such protective headgear.

Other motorcycle laws:

Minimum age and requirements to apply for temporary motorcycle instruction permit, restrictions.

302.132. 1. Any person at least fifteen and one-half years of age who, except for age or lack of instruction in operating a motor vehicle, would otherwise be qualified to obtain a motorcycle or motortricycle license or endorsement pursuant to sections 302.010 to 302.340 may apply, with the written consent of the parent or guardian of such person, for a temporary motorcycle instruction permit to operate a motorcycle or motortricycle.

2. The director shall issue a temporary motorcycle instruction permit under this section if the applicant has completed a motorcycle rider training course approved under sections 302.133 to 302.138 and is otherwise eligible for the temporary permit.

3. A person receiving a temporary motorcycle permit and having it in his immediate possession shall be entitled to operate a motorcycle or motortricycle for a period of six months upon the highways of the state, and persons under the age of sixteen shall be subject to the following restrictions:

(1) The motorcycle or motortricycle may not have an engine with a displacement of greater than two hundred fifty cubic centimeters;

(2) The operator shall not travel at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise;

(3) The operator shall not carry any passengers; and

(4) The operator shall not travel over fifty miles from the operator's home address.