Motorcycle Laws & Regulations

Iowa

• Safety helmet - no restriction
• State funded rider education -available for all eligible applicants-required under age 18, may waive skills test for successful completion of drivers ed
• Eye protection - no restriction
• Daytime use of headlight - required by law for 1977 or later model year motorcycles.
• Passenger seat - required if carrying a passenger
• Passenger footrests - required if carrying a passenger
• Passenger age restrictions – none
• Helmet speakers - no restrictions
• Periodic safety inspection – none
• Mirror left (L) right (R) - required by law
• Radar detector – no restrictions

Minnesota

• Safety helmet - required by law under age 18, required for instructional permit holders
  
• State funded rider education - available for all eligible applicants-required under age 18, may waive skills test for successful completion of riders ed
  
• Eye protection - required by law for rider and passenger
  
• Headlight - at least one and not more than two headlamps with both high and low beam capability required by law
• Taillight - red tail light with stop lamp required by law; blue dot up to one inch diameter is allowed
• Brake - at least one brake is required, front or rear, operated by hand or foot
• Horn - required by law
  
• Passenger seat - required if carrying a passenger
  
• Passenger footrests - required if carrying a passenger
  
• Passenger size restrictions - must be able to reach both passenger footpegs with both feet while seated on the passenger seat
• Helmet speakers - single earphone only
  
• Mirror - one mirror - required by law
  
• Muffler - required by law

AAA Minnesota/Iowa recommends that all passengers, regardless of age, wear a safety helmet at all times even though state laws don’t cover the use of safety helmets for individuals over 18 when riding a motorcycle. Wearing a helmet can reduce serious injury to the head up to 85 percent.