New Mexico Motorcycle Helmet Law
New Mexico law requires that all motorcycle riders under the age of 18 wear a DOT-approved helmet with proper reflectors, or they may face a fine.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Under
New Mexico
law, all motorcycle riders who are under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. The helmet and its reflectors should meet the standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).Since the 1960s, states have passed motorcycle helmet laws to combat the rising number of motorcycle-related fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017 alone.
Each state has a unique set of motorcycle helmet laws, so it’s a great idea to become familiar with the laws in your state. Here's a break down the basics of New Mexico’s law, including the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle and the penalties you might face for not.
Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in New Mexico?
If you’re under the age of 18, you must wear a motorcycle helmet when driving (or riding as a passenger) on a motorcycle or ATV.
Moped riders have to follow the same helmet laws as everybody else. In New Mexico, mopeds are defined as bikes with:
- An engine displacement of less than 50 cc
- A maximum speed of 30 mph
Whether you’re on a heavy-weight Harley or a nimble moped, it’s best to buckle up before you hit the road!
Exceptions to New Mexico’s motorcycle helmet law
Riders who are 18 or older don’t have to wear helmets—otherwise, there are no exceptions to New Mexico’s motorcycle helmet law.
Penalties for breaking New Mexico’s motorcycle helmet law
Riders who violate New Mexico’s motorcycle helmet law may be issued a traffic violation and might have to pay a fine.
Why it’s important to wear a motorcycle helmet
Though New Mexico law allows adult riders to hop on the bike without a helmet, we think it’s crucial to wear one each time you ride: after all, motorcyclists who wear a helmet are 40% more likely to survive a crash than riders who leave their helmet at home.
The advanced technology that goes into helmets saves hundreds of lives in the United States each year. In New Mexico, motorcyclists without helmets were
nearly twice as likely
—7.7% vs. 4.3%—to die in crashes as helmeted riders. In recent years, fatalities from motorcycle crashes have continued to climb.“I’ll keep this simple for you. They literally saved me $100 a month.Jerryis an amazing platform.” —Indiana L.
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