STATUTE:

Title 31. Motor Vehicles. Chapter 5. Regulation of Traffic on Highways. Article 1. In General. Section 31-5-115. Operation of Motorcycles and Pedestrian Vehicles:

". . . (o) No minor shall operate or ride nor shall the operator permit a minor to ride upon a motorcycle unless he is wearing protective headgear securely fastened on his head, and of a type which complies with standards established by the superintendent. This subsection does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab nor to persons operating or riding a moped. This subsection only applies to motorcycles used on public highways, streets and thoroughfares. . . ."

STANDARDS:

Title 31. Motor Vehicles. Chapter 5. Regulation of Traffic on Highways. Article 1. In General. Section 31-5-115. Operation of Motorcycles and Pedestrian Vehicles. :

". . . (r) The superintendent is authorized to approve or disapprove protective headgear required herein, and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval thereof and to the sale and use of the equipment as provided in W.S. 31-5-932 through 31-5-934 for other vehicle safety equipment. The standard for protective headgear shall meet or exceed the Z90.1-1971 standard of the American National Standards Institute. . . ."

"However, all existing equipment meeting the Z90.1-1966 standard of the American National Standards Institute shall be accepted. . . ."

Title 31. Motor Vehicles. Chapter 5. Regulation of Traffic on Highways. Article 9. Equipment. Section 31-5-935. Standards for Safety Equipment. :

"(a) The superintendent shall adopt standards for lamps, reflectors, hydraulic brake fluids, seat belts, safety glass, emergency disablement warning devices, studded tires, motorcyclist helmets, eye protection devices and red rear bicycle reflectors.

"(b) The superintendent may adopt standards for safety equipment that comply with standards of the United States Department of Transportation.

"(c) Standards adopted by the superintendent may conform with standards issued or endorsed by any recognized organization or agency such as the United States Department of Transportation and other federal agencies, Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, American National Standards Institute and Society of Automotive Engineers."

COURT DECISIONS:

We have been unable to uncover any court decision from a court of record, either from the Wyoming Appellate or Supreme Courts, which indicates that the question of whether or not Wyoming's helmet law is constitutional has not been addressed in the courts.

WEBSITES:

• State Legislature
• Wyoming DMV