New Hampshire Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

265:122 Protective Headgear.

I. No person less than 18 years of age may drive or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears protective headgear of a type approved by the director. Such headgear shall be equipped with either a neck or chin strap.

II. The director is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt rules pursuant to RSA 260:5 covering the types of protective headgear and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved headgear which meet his established specifications.

III. If federal law is altered so that the mandatory wearing of protective headgear on motorcycles by persons less than 18 years of age is not required as a condition to the receipt by the state of any federal funds, paragraphs I and II shall be void.

IV. Any motorcycle operator who transports a person under the age of 18 years, when such person is in violation of paragraph I, shall be guilty of a violation.

Other motorcycle laws:

265:120 Riding Upon Motorcycles.

I. A person driving a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto. Such driver shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which case a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designated for 2 persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the driver, or in a sidecar firmly attached to the side of the motorcycle.

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

III. No person shall drive a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

IV. No driver shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride in a position which will interfere with the driving or control of the motorcycle or with the view of the driver.

[Paragraph V effective until one day after passage of state operating budget for biennium ending June 30, 2009; see also paragraph V set out below.]

V. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, II, or III of this section shall be subject to a fine of $75.

[Paragraph V effective one day after passage of state operating budget for biennium ending June 30, 2009; see also paragraph V set out above.]

V. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, II, or III of this section shall be subject to a fine of $43.20.