Chapter 4501-17 | Motorcycles-Lighting and Helmets

Rule 4501-17-01 | Protective helmet, chin strap, and eye device.

• Effective: July 1, 1985
• Promulgated Under: Ch 119.

(A) No person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a "novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a protective helmet on his head with the chin strap properly fastened, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet with the chin strap properly fastened.

(B) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle upon a highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, unless the person, if he is under eighteen years of age, is wearing a protective helmet on his head with the chin strap properly fastened.

(C) No person shall operate or be a passenger on a motorcycle without using a protective eye device.

(D) Such protective helmets, chin straps, and eye devices shall conform to the specifications, test standards, and requirements set forth in this chapter.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 4/3/1968, 1/2/1985

Rule 4501-17-02 | Test standards - protective helmet.

• Effective: May 25, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Helmets shall, at a minimum, meet federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) 218 set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.218 (October 1, 2011) addressing minimum performance requirements for motorcycle helmets. Compliance with such standard shall constitute compliance with the director of public safety rules and regulations set forth in this chapter.

Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) may be obtained by writing to "U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT-NHTSA), 400 7th Street SW, Washington D.C. 20590" or via its website at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ or at http://www.gpoaccess.gov.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: R.C. 4511.53, R.C. 4511.521
Amplifies: R.C. 4511.53, R.C. 4511.521
Five Year Review Date: 3/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 4/3/1968, 1/2/1985 (Emer.), 7/1/1985, 5/28/2005

Rule 4501-17-04 | Protective eye devices.

• Effective: July 1, 1985
• Promulgated Under: Ch 119.

(A) "Goggles": a device consisting of glass or plastic eye pieces or eye-cups; commonly manufactured for and used by motorcycle operators and passengers; held in place by a headband or temple piece; provided with shields at the sides; with lenses made of safety glass; all of which provide adequate and reliable protection of the eyes from debris, wind, moisture, light, dust, cold, or any combination of these or other elements.

(B) "Face shield": a protective device attached to a helmet that covers the wearer's face at least to a point approximating the tip of the nose, designed to provide adequate and reliable protection of the eyes from debris, wind, moisture, light, dust, cold, or any combination of these or other elements.

(C) "Windscreen": a transparent device mounted on a motorcycle forward of the operator designed to deflect wind and/or objects from the body and face of the operator and passenger, and which is of such a height, construction, and durability as to actually protect the riders when seated in a normal riding position for the particular vehicle being operated.

(D) "Spectacles": ordinary eye pieces with lenses made of safety glass when worn or used by an operator or passenger on a motorcycle.

(E) All of the above when used individually or in combination shall constitute protective eye devices.

(F) Such protective eye devices shall consist of a transparent, shatter-resistant material so manufactured, fabricated, or treated as to substantially prevent shattering or flying when struck or broken.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 4/3/1968