It is unlawful for any person to do any act forbidden or to fail to perform any act required by this chapter. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. As used herein, the term 'motor-driven cycle' shall include every motorcycle weighing when fully equipped less than 200 pounds and every bicycle with motor attached and every motor scooter.

Every person, except a person holding a driver's license issued under authority of Chapter 6 of this title, before operating any motor-driven cycle upon a public highway in this state, shall register it with the Director of Public Safety and procure an operator's license. Operators' licenses shall be issued under and be governed by the provisions of Chapter 6 of this title; except, that such a license shall be issued to any person 14 years of age and older if such a person can satisfy the Director of Public Safety or an examining officer that he is competent to operate a motor-driven cycle with safety to persons and to property.

(a) Every motor-driven cycle when operated upon the highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle.

(b) The Director of Public Safety is authorized to require an inspection of the brakes of any motor-driven cycle and to disapprove any brakes which he finds are not adequate.

(c) All such brakes shall be maintained in good working order.

(d) The Director of Public Safety may refuse to register or he may suspend or revoke the registration of any motor-driven cycle when he determines that the brakes thereon do not comply with the provisions of this section.

(e) No person shall operate on any highway any motor-driven cycle in the event the Director of Public Safety has disapproved the brake equipment on such cycle or type of cycle.

(f) Every motor-driven cycle when operated upon the highway shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.

(g) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

The Director of Public Safety shall be authorized to revoke the license of any operator of a motor-driven cycle convicted of violating any of the provisions of this article.

Any person who violates this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by fine and imprisonment.

The protective helmet shall meet the following specifications:

(1) DESIGN. One which is specifically designed for motorcycle riders and motorcycle passenger use.

(2) EXTERIOR SHELL. A hard exterior shell of nonshatterable material, resistant to impact and penetration.

(3) CRADLE. A firmly secured shock absorbent cradle for the head designed to support the helmet and maintain separation between the head and outer shell. Materials used in this portion of protective helmet shall be of durable quality and with characteristics that will not undergo appreciable alteration under the influence of aging or of the circumstances of use to which the helmet is normally subjected. Materials commonly known to cause skin irritation or disease shall not be used for these parts of the assembly which come in contact with the skin.

(4) PADDING. Impact-resistant, absorbent padding or cushioning material of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is in close proximity with or may contact the outer shell.

(5) CHIN STRAP. A permanently attached adjustable chin strap that will hold the helmet securely in place. A rider must at all times, while a motorized vehicle is in motion, have a chin strap firmly in place on or under the chin.

(6) VISOR. Not required, but, if the helmet is so equipped, the visor must be flexible or of a snap on type; however, no external projections shall be more than one-quarter inch above surface of the exterior shell.

The manufacturers of motorcycle helmets for sale in Alabama shall meet the following specifications and comply with the following procedures:

(1) All protective helmets shall be required to meet minimum regulations of the USA standards set forth in Z-90 regulations of 1966.

(2) A manufacturer desiring to secure approval of a protective helmet shall submit to the Director of Public Safety, State of Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama 36104, postage prepaid, a test report certified as required in Z-90 basic standards, together with a sample of the helmet for which approval is sought. The director may contract with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators in conducting testing procedures and the giving of approval of helmets submitted.

(3) If, after receipt of the test report from an independent testing laboratory, the Director of Public Safety finds that the helmet meets the requirements, notice of approval of the helmet will be issued.

(4) Each protective helmet approved by the Director of Public Safety shall be labelled on the outside of the helmet above the base of the rear of the helmet with letters or numbers at least one-quarter inch in height, with the manufacturer's trade name and model number or name, which shall be the same as name or number under which the helmet has been approved.

Any person or manufacturer who shall violate any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more than $100.00, and may be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for not more than 180 days, one or both. Each violation of any provision of this article shall constitute a separate offense.