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Bill Modifying Nebraska’s Motorcycle Helmet Law Advances

By Tom Stanton Mar 5, 2024 | 3:35 PM

Nebraska lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill from Senator Ben Hansen that clarifies the requirements for motorcycle riders who want to ride without a helmet.  Lawmakers repealed the state’s helmet requirement for riders age 21 and older who have completed a basic motorcycle safety course last session.

Hansen says says the current law requires even experienced riders to take both the online and in-person course safety courses before they can ride helmetless. “This requirement has overwhelmed the safety classes with skilled riders and prevents those who actually need to learn the basics of riding from attending,” Hansen says.

Under his amended bill, a Nebraska resident who is 21 and older and has received a Class M license prior to May 1 could operate a motorcycle or moped on a highway in Nebraska without a helmet if they have completed the three-hour online course and submitted proof of completion to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Riders who receive their license after May 1 would not be required to wear a helmet if they have completed the full course and submitted proof of completion to the department. Nonresidents who are 21 and older and choose not to wear a helmet no longer would be required to show proof of motorcycle rider course completion to a law enforcement officer.

Hansen says the current requirement is unenforceable because officers have no way to validate an out-of-state rider’s certification during a traffic stop. Hansen’s proposal would also eliminate the current requirement that passengers must complete the safety course before riding without a helmet.  A passenger could ride without a helmet if the person operating the motorcycle is not required to wear a helmet.