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North Dakota Motorcycle Laws and Information

North Dakota Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

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North Dakota Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

39-10.2-06. Equipment for motorcycle riders.

1. No person under the age of eighteen years may operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless protective headgear, which complies with standards established by the department, is being worn on the head of the operator and rider, except when participating in a lawful parade. If the operator of a motorcycle is required to wear protective headgear, any passenger must also wear protective headgear regardless of the age of the passenger.

2. This section does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab or on a golf cart.

3. No person may operate a motorcycle if a person under the age of eighteen years is a passenger upon that motorcycle and is not wearing protective headgear as provided in subsection 1.

39-10.2-07. Other applicable law.

All of the provisions of chapter 39-06.1 pertaining to the disposition of traffic offenses apply to this chapter. Page No.

Other motorcycle laws:

39-10.2-01. Traffic laws apply to person operating motorcycle or motorized bicycle.

Every person operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this title, except as to special regulations in this chapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application. For purposes of this chapter, the term "motorcycle" means motorcycles and motorized bicycles.

39-10.2-02. Riding on motorcycle.

1. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator may not carry any other person nor may any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

2. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

3. No person may operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

4. No operator may carry any person, nor may any person ride in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

39-10.2-03. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.

1. All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle may be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection does not apply to the operation of motorcycles two abreast in a single lane as authorized in subsection 4.

2. The operator of a motorcycle may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.

3. No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

4. Motorcycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.

5. Subsections 2 and 3 do not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.

39-10.2-04. Clinging to other vehicle. No person riding upon a motorcycle may attach the person's self or the motorcycle to any other vehicle on a roadway.

39-10.2-05. Footrests. Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, must be equipped with footrests for such passenger.

39-10.2-06. Equipment for motorcycle riders.

1. No person under the age of eighteen years may operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless protective headgear, which complies with standards established by the department, is being worn on the head of the operator and rider, except when participating in a lawful parade. If the operator of a motorcycle is required to wear protective headgear, any passenger must also wear protective headgear regardless of the age of the passenger.

2. This section does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab or on a golf cart.

3. No person may operate a motorcycle if a person under the age of eighteen years is a passenger upon that motorcycle and is not wearing protective headgear as provided in subsection 1.

39-10.2-07. Other applicable law.

All of the provisions of chapter 39-06.1 pertaining to the disposition of traffic offenses apply to this chapter. Page No.

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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