Page Content Under North Carolina law, all operators and passengers on motorcycles and mopeds must wear a motorcycle safety helmet of a type that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218.Table CaptionRequirementDescriptionThick inner linerA motorcycle helmet must have a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that is about 1-inch thick. In some helmets this may be covered by a comfort liner, but an individual can feel the thickness. Non-compliant helmets generally have a thin soft foam padding or no liner.DOT stickerCompliant motorcycle safety helmets have the symbol "DOT" permanently installed by the manufacturer on the back of the helmet. Some "novelty type" helmets are supplied with a separate "DOT"sticker or one can be purchased separately and placed on the helmet. This does not make the helmet compliant.Manufacturer's labelPermanently attached label inside the helmet with the manufacturers name or identification, precise model, size, date of manufacture, type of shell and liner construction materials and an instruction label for cleaning and care of the helmet.Learn MoreMotorcycle Safety Guidelines Last updated Jul. 10, 2018