Motorcycle riders in Florida who wear helmets are taking advantage of an important safety measure, but you may also be fulfilling the requirements of state law by wearing one. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that if you are over the age of 20 and have at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage, a motorcycle helmet is not mandatory. On the other hand, if one or both of these requirements are not met, then you must wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle. This applies to you whether you are a passenger or operator. One exception is if you are riding in an enclosed cab.
If you are not wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle, you can be stopped by law enforcement. However, this is considered a secondary offense, so an officer will not stop you just because you are not wearing a helmet. There is an exception, though. If an officer has good cause to think you or your passenger are under 21, then he or she may stop you without another reason.
In order to prevent any issues if you get stopped by law enforcement, you must have proof of insurance. The insurance card must be current and issued by a recognized provider. Medical coverage insurance issued by your motorcycle insurance company is also accepted, but it must specifically be motorcycle coverage because passenger vehicle medical coverage is not valid. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
