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    Vehicle Code § 27803 VC – Operating a Motorcycle Without a Helmet

    California Vehicle Code § 27803 VC requires motorcycle drivers to wear safety helmets. This rule also applies to motorcycle passengers.

    There are three important takeaways to know about Vehicle Code 27803.

    • Violating VC 27803 carries a fine of $197.00.
    • Legal defenses are available. This means you do not have to plead guilty to a no-helmet ticket automatically. It is in your best interests, though, to consult with an attorney before challenging a ticket.
    • You cannot ignore a ticket for operating a motorcycle without a helmet. This ignorance will result in a new charge of failure to appear, per California Vehicle Code 40508. Failure to appear, under California law, may be charged as a misdemeanor.

    The full text of the statute reads as follows:

    27803. (a) A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

    (b) It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).

    (c) It is unlawful to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).

    (d) This section applies to persons who are riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycles operated on the highways.

    (e) For the purposes of this section, “wear a safety helmet” or “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet meeting the requirements of Section 27802 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the wearing person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement.

    (f) This section does not apply to a person operating, or riding as a passenger in, a fully enclosed three-wheeled motor vehicle that is not less than seven feet in length and not less than four feet in width, and has an unladen weight of 900 pounds or more, if the vehicle meets or exceeds all of the requirements of this code, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the rules and regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    (g) In enacting this section, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all persons are provided with an additional safety benefit while operating or riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

    Our California motorcycle accident attorneys will highlight the following in this article:

    motorcyclist and passenger riding without helmet in violation of VC 27803

    California law requires motorcycle drivers as well as riders to wear a safety helmet.

    1. Vehicle Code 27803 VC – Motorcyclists in California must wear safety helmets

    According to California Vehicle Code 27803, if you are operating a motorcycle in California, you must wear a safety helmet.

    VC 27803 states:

    1. A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
    2. It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).1

    Please note that the above language includes passengers. In California, you and your passengers are required by law to wear safety helmets.

    2. The penalties for driving a motorcycle without a helmet

    If you violate Vehicle Code 27803, you will receive a ticket and must pay a corresponding fine. The fine for operating a motorcycle without a helmet is $197.00.2

    However, you will not be assessed DMV points. This is a good thing because getting points causes a spike in auto insurance rates.A further problem occurs when points accumulate over time. You can get a negligent operator license suspension if you accumulate a certain number of points within a 1-,2- or 3-year period. If this happens, the DMV can either suspend or revoke your driving privileges.

    Please note, however, that either of these actions will require a California DMV hearing.

    3. Legal defenses if you violate Vehicle Code 27803

    If you receive a ticket for not wearing a helmet, you do not have to automatically plead guilty to it, or admit you were at fault. You can always challenge the ticket by raising a legal defense. If this is done, though, it’s best for you to gain the assistance of an attorney.

    3.1 Common defenses for not wearing a safety helmet

    There are three common defenses for violating Vehicle Code 27803 VC. These are:

    1. The officer made a mistake.
    2. There was an emergency that prevented you from wearing a helmet.
    3. You were not actually operating the motorcycle.

    Please know that any legal defense will require supporting evidence. The best evidence typically includes:

    • Witnesses
    • Photographs
    • Surveillance video
    Hand holding motorcycle helmet with motorcycle in background

    Violating VC 27803 carries a fine.

    3.2 Get help from a lawyer

    You can represent yourself when challenging a ticket for not wearing a helmet. However, it is in your best interest to contact a California attorney for help.

    Help from a lawyer is critical for three main reasons. These are:

    1. Prosecutors typically give better deals to defendants with lawyers.
    2. Defense attorneys know how to get charges reduced and dismissed.
    3. You do not have to go to court if you have an attorney. Your lawyer can go on your behalf.

    4. Violation of Vehicle Code 27803 VC and traffic school

    If you violate VC 27803, you do not have to attend traffic school. But, you can volunteer to do so.

    The benefits, though, might not be worth the time and expense. If you choose to attend traffic school, you must still pay your fine.3 Further, a benefit of traffic school is that it most often removes any points from your driving record. However, you will not enjoy this benefit since you do not receive points on your record for violating VC 27803.

    In general, you can choose to go to traffic school if:

    1. You have a valid driver’s license;
    2. The offense occurred while you were driving a noncommercial vehicle; and,
    3. The ticket is for an infraction that is a moving violation.

    5. Operating a motorcycle without a helmet and criminal charges

    The State of California does not file criminal charges against you if you violate Vehicle Code 27803 VC. This is because it is not a crime to drive a motorcycle without a helmet.

    Violations of VC 27803 are infractions under California law. Violators are not subject to incarceration or any other criminal penalties.

    6. Ignoring a ticket for violating VC 27803

    You cannot ignore a ticket for violating Vehicle Code 27803 VC. Ignoring a ticket means two things. These are:

    1. You violate a new law, California Vehicle Code 40508 VC, for the failure to appear in court on a traffic citation; and,
    2. You may receive penalties for violating VC 40508.
    Police next to motorcycle after having pulled it over for a traffic violation

    Upon receiving a traffic ticket in California, you must sign a written promise to appear in court.

    6.1 Violation of Vehicle Code 40508 VC

    Upon receiving a traffic ticket in California, you are obligated to sign a written promise to appear in court.

    If you willfully fail to appear as promised, you violate Vehicle Code 40508 VC.4 You willfully fail to appear when you are willingly a no-show. It is not a defense if you did not intend to break the law.5

    It also does not matter whether you are guilty or innocent of the underlying traffic citation.6 You violate Vehicle Code 40508 just by breaking a promise to:

    • Appear in court,
    • Appear to pay bail,
    • Pay bail in installments,
    • Pay a fine within the time authorized, or
    • Comply with any condition of the court.7

    6.2 Penalties for violating VC 40508

    Violation of Vehicle Code 40508 VC is a misdemeanor. The penalties are:

    • Up to six months in county jail, and/or
    • A fine of up to $1,000.8

    7. Effect of not wearing a motorcycle helmet on a personal injury lawsuit

    Motorcycle accident lawsuits are common in California. These lawsuits are typically filed because a person was injured, and that person wants to recover damages from their injuries.

    The best way to explain the effect of you not wearing a helmet on a personal injury suit is to consider:

    1. An injured party suing you; and,
    2. You suing another person.

    7.1 Injured party suing a non-helmet wearing motorcycle driver

    If you are not wearing a helmet, you can very well get involved in an accident and injure another party. If the injured party later files a lawsuit against you, you may be found “negligent.”

    California law defines “negligence” as the failure to use reasonable care to prevent harm to oneself or to others. Regarding auto accidents, negligent drivers are at fault for the accident and may have to pay for any damages caused.

    Proving negligence in a personal injury case can sometimes be difficult. In California though, you are considered “negligent per se” for violating a statute.

    Negligence “per se” is a legal theory in which negligence is presumed based upon your violation of a statute or ordinance.

    This means you would be negligent per se if operating a motorcycle without a helmet because you would be in violation of VC 27803.

    7.2 Motorcycle driver suing another person

    Some people mistakenly believe that a non-helmet wearing motorcycle driver cannot file a personal injury lawsuit. Violating Vehicle Code 27803 does not prohibit you from suing another person if that person caused injury. But, not wearing a helmet could reduce any monetary award that you ultimately receive.

    California follows comparative fault laws in motorcycle accidents in which drivers are not wearing helmets. Comparative fault laws are slightly technical. They basically mean that if you were partially at fault in causing injuries (because you were not wearing a helmet), any damage award recovered gets reduced based on your degree of fault.

    8. Laws related to Vehicle Code 27803 VC

    There are three laws related to VC 27803. These include:

    1. Required position of equipment on a motorcycle;
    2. Sale of motorcycle helmets that do not comply with DMV requirements; and,
    3. Riding bicycles within bike lanes.

    8.1 Required position of equipment on a motorcycle

    California Vehicle Code 27801 places requirements on the positioning of a motorcycle’s seat and handlebars.

    The section states:

    A person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with either of the following:

    1. A seat so positioned that the driver, when sitting astride the seat, cannot reach the ground with his or her feet.
    2. Handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.

    A violation of VC 27801 results in a fine of $197.00. You also receive one point on your DMV driving record.

    8.2 Sale of motorcycle helmets that do not comply with DMV requirements

    Under Vehicle Code 27802 (a) VC, the DMV can adopt certain requirements that establish safety standards for motorcycle helmets.9

    Vehicle Code 27802 (b) makes it unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, any safety helmet that does not meet requirements established by the DMV.10

    Violating VC 27802 (b) carries a fine of $197.00. No points, however, are placed on your driving records.

    8.3 Riding bicycles within bike lanes

    California Vehicle Code 21208 states that you must ride your bicycles within bike lanes whenever they have been established.11

    VC 21208 does provide four exceptions to this rule. You may leave a bike lane when:

    1. Overtaking and passing another biker, a vehicle, or a pedestrian.
    2. Preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a driveway.
    3. Necessary to avoid a hazardous condition.
    4. Approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.12

    A violation of Vehicle Code 21208 results in a fine of $197.00. No points are placed on your DMV driving record.13

    For cases in Nevada, please visit our page on NRS 486.321 – motorcycle helmet laws in Nevada.

    Legal References:

    1. California Vehicle Code 27803 (a) and (b) VC. See also Easyriders Freedom F.I.G.H.T. v. Hannigan (9th Cir. Cal., 1996), 92 F.3d 1486.
    2. See DMV penalty chart. See also Department of California Highway Patrol v. Superior Court (Cal. App. 6th Dist., 2008), 158 Cal. App. 4th 726, 70 Cal. Rptr. 3d 280.
    3. See California Courts website.
    4. California Vehicle Code 40508 VC.
    5. CALCRIM 2240, endnote 1: Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on purpose. It is not required that he or she intend to break the law, hurt someone else, or gain any advantage.
    6. See same.
    7. California Vehicle Code 40508 VC, endnote 1.
    8. California Penal Code 19 PC. Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by any law of this state, every offense declared to be a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both. See also People v. Elkins (Cal. App. Dep’t Super. Ct., 1992), 12 Cal. App. 4th Supp. 1, 16 Cal. Rptr. 2d 504.
    9. California Vehicle Code 27802 (a) VC.
    10. California Vehicle Code 27802 (b) VC.
    11. California Vehicle Code 21208 (a) VC.
    12. California Vehicle Code 21208 (a)(1) – (a)(4) VC.
    13. See same.

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