The Western region of the United States is full of crisscrossing asphalt highways that travel over vast deserts, high mountains, and coastal cliffs. For many riders, going on a trip to a warmer, drier state is the best way to spend quality time with their motorcycles. However, before riders can set out on their vacations, they need to familiarize themselves with the motorcycle laws of the Western state(s) they plan on visiting.

Aside from the general traffic laws that all vehicles must comply with, such as traffic lights, stop signs, pedestrian crossings, etc., there are a few motorcycle-specific road laws riders need to remember to ensure their trip to the Western U.S. goes smoothly.

Alaska Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2022 edition of the Alaska motorcycle laws:

●     Alaska Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Alaska Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. However, if your passenger is 17 years old or younger, s/he must be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat, footrests, and handholds.

●     Alaska Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Alaska.

●     Alaska Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Alaska that provides $50,000 for bodily injury to one person, $100,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage.

Arizona Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Arizona motorcycle laws:

●     Arizona Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Arizona Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. However, if your passenger is 17 years old or younger, s/he must be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat, footrests, and handholds.

●     Arizona Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Arizona.

●     Arizona Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Arizona that provides $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $10,000 for property damage.

California Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the California motorcycle laws:

●     California Motorcycle Helmet:

Regardless of age, you must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet whenever you are operating a motorcycle.

●     California Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Your passenger must also be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     California Lane Splitting:

California is one of the few states where lane splitting is considered legal.

●     California Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in California that provides $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage.

Colorado Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Colorado motorcycle laws:

●     Colorado Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Colorado Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. However, if your passenger is 17 years old or younger, s/he must be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Colorado Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Colorado.

●     Colorado Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Colorado that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.

Hawaii Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2022 edition of the Hawaii motorcycle

●     Hawaii Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Hawaii Passenger Laws:

Passengers cannot be seven years old or younger. Any passenger between 8-17 years old must be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Hawaii Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Hawaii.

●     Hawaii Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Hawaii that provides $20,000 for bodily injury to one person, $40,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $10,000 for property damage.

Idaho Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Idaho motorcycle laws:

●     Idaho Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Idaho Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Any passenger 17 years old or younger must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Idaho Lane Splitting:

Though not explicitly stated, it is recommended you refrain from any form of lane splitting as you can be pulled over by local law enforcement for doing so in Idaho.

●     Idaho Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Idaho that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.

Montana Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Montana motorcycle laws:

●     Montana Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Montana Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Any passenger 17 years old or younger must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Montana Lane Splitting:

As of October 1st, 2021, lane splitting is allowed in Montana so long as there is adequate and safe maneuvering room and you are moving at or below 20 mph.

●     Montana Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Montana that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $20,000 for property damage.

Nevada Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Nevada motorcycle laws:

●     Nevada Motorcycle Helmet:

Regardless of age, you must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet whenever you are operating a motorcycle.

●     Nevada Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Your passenger must also be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Nevada Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Nevada.

●     Nevada Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Nevada that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $20,000 for property damage.

New Mexico Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the New Mexico motorcycle laws:

●     New Mexico Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear at all times.

●     New Mexico Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Any passenger 17 years old or younger must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     New Mexico Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in New Mexico.

●     New Mexico Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in New Mexico that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $10,000 for property damage.

Oregon Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Oregon motorcycle laws:

●     Oregon Motorcycle Helmet:

Regardless of age, you must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet whenever you are operating a motorcycle.

●     Oregon Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Your passenger must also be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Oregon Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Oregon.

●     Oregon Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Oregon that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $20,000 for property damage.

Utah Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Utah motorcycle laws:

●     Utah Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders 20 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 21 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective Motorcycle gear.

●     Utah Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Any passenger 20 years old or younger must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Utah Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Oregon.

●     Utah Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Utah that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $65,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.

Washington Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Washington motorcycle laws:

●     Washington Motorcycle Helmet:

Regardless of age, you must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet whenever you are operating a motorcycle.

●     Washington Passenger Laws:

Passengers cannot be four years old or younger. Any passenger five years old or older must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests and your Motorcycle saddlebags should not be wider than the motorcycle's front width.

●     Washington Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Washington.

●     Washington Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Washington that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $10,000 for property damage.

Wyoming Motorcycle Laws

The following guidelines are the 2021 edition of the Wyoming motorcycle laws:

●     Wyoming Motorcycle Helmet:

Riders who are 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Riders 18 years old or older can ride without a motorcycle helmet, but it is safer to wear protective headgear.

●     Wyoming Passenger Laws:

Passengers do not need to fall under a specific age group. Any passenger 17 years old or younger must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Your motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests.

●     Wyoming Lane Splitting:

Any form of lane splitting is deemed illegal in Wyoming.

●     Wyoming Motorcycle Insurance:

You must own motorcycle insurance recognized in Wyoming that provides $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people, and $20,000 f

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