This document is a general summary of the legislative requirements for motor cycle helmets, visors and goggles

Helmets

When buying a helmet, look for one that complies with one of the following:

a. British Standard BS 6658:1985 (it will be marked with a British Standard 'kitemark'); or

b. UN ECE Regulation 22.05 (it will be marked with a UN 'E' mark - the first two digits of the approval number will be '05').

Helmets may also be sold if they comply with any standard accepted by an EEA State which offers a level of protection which is equivalent to (i.e. the same as, or better than) British Standard BS 6658:1985 and are marked with a certification mark which is equivalent to the British Standard 'kitemark'

Helmets to these standards are prescribed in the Regulations as recommended for use.

For the avoidance of doubt, we do not consider UN ECE Regulation 22.04 to be equivalent to the British Standard because it does not contain a chin-guard test for full face helmets or a test for rotation-inducing forces caused by projections and surface friction.

If you are driving or riding on a 2-wheeled motorcycle on a road you must wear a helmet. Passengers in a sidecar don't have to wear a helmet and neither does a Sikh who is wearing a turban. Also, no helmet is needed if someone is pushing the motorcycle on foot.

You must wear a helmet which has been approved to one of the British Standards listed in the table below (it will have a British Standard 'kitemark' and the number of the standard), or to UN ECE Regulation 22.05 (it will have a UN 'E' mark and the first two digits of the approval number will be '05').

Alternatively, you can wear other types of helmet which could reasonably be expected to give a similar, or greater, level of protection in an accident as British Standard BS 6658:1985 or UN ECE Regulation 22.05. However, you should seek confirmation from the supplier that the helmet does offer at least a similar level of protection. Check with your insurer that your insurance is not invalidated by wearing a helmet that does not comply with a standard listed in the Regulations.

2001:1956 - may be worn only

1869:1960 - may be worn only

2495:1960 - may be worn only

2001:1972 - may be worn only

5361:1976 - may be worn only

2495:1977 - may be worn only

6658:1985 - may be sold and worn

Visors and Goggles

When buying a visor, look for products that comply with one of the following:

Grade X in British Standard BS 4110:1979, Grades XA, YA or ZA in British Standard BS 4110:1979 as amended by AMD 3368, AMD 4060 and AMD 4360 (It will be marked with the number of the standard have the grade and the British Standard Kitemark).

In the case of Visors also look for approval to UNECE Regulation 22.05 (it will be marked with a UN 'E' mark and the first two digits of the approval number will be '05').

Visors may also be sold if they comply with any standard accepted by an EEA State which offers a level of protection which is equivalent to (i.e. the same as, or better than) British Standard BS 4110:1979 and are marked with a certification mark which is equivalent to the British Standard 'kitemark'.

In the case of goggles also look for approval to Council Directive 89/686/EEC as amended by 93/68/EEC and 96/58/EEC (see explanatory note). (They will be marked with a 'CE' mark).

Eye protectors first used before 1^st of April 1989 and fitted with lenses designed to correct a sight defect, transmit 50% or more of visible light and do not fly into fragments if fractured may also be used.

If you use a visor or goggles they must be approved to one of the appropriate standards above. Those visors marked "Daytime Use" or having the symbol with the same meaning should only be used in daytime.

Visors that transmit less than 50% of visible light do not fully comply with any of the standards above and can not legally be used on the road.

N.B. The British Standards Institution have superseded BS 4110:1979 with BS4110:1999 for visors and BS EN 1938 for goggles. Visors approved to BS4110:1999 would also satisfy BS4110:1979 and it's amendments. BS EN1938 is the national derivative of the harmonised European standard prepared for the Council Directive 89/686/EEC as amended.