UK Motorcycle Helmet Law & Safety Standards: Complete Guide

Motorcycle helmet standards ought to be simple.

Unfortunately, once you start seeing ECE 22.06, ECE 22.05, SHARP stars, ACU Gold stickers, P/J markings and various labels sewn into chin straps, it's very easy to wonder which of them actually makes a helmet legal in the UK.

So let's sort it out properly.

To ride a motorcycle or moped on UK roads, you need to wear a motorcycle helmet that meets an accepted safety standard.

For the vast majority of riders buying a new helmet today, that means a helmet approved to UNECE Regulation 22.06.

However, an existing ECE 22.05 helmet is still legal to wear in the UK. It has not suddenly become illegal simply because the newer 22.06 standard exists.

And an ACU Gold sticker? Useful for certain motorcycle sport and track activities, but it isn't what makes your helmet legal on the road.

That's the short version.

Now we'll explain what all of it actually means.

UK Motorcycle Helmet Law: The Quick Answer

Current UK Government guidance recognises motorcycle helmets meeting:

UNECE Regulation 22.06
UNECE Regulation 22.05
British Standard BS 6658:1985 carrying the BSI Kitemark
Certain equivalent European Economic Area standards offering at least an equivalent level of protection

Most new motorcycle helmets you'll find for sale now use ECE 22.06.

So if you're buying a new motorcycle helmet today, that's the approval you'll normally be looking for.

Is Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet Compulsory in the UK?

Yes.

If you're riding or driving a two-wheeled motorcycle or moped on the road, you normally have to wear an approved motorcycle helmet.

That requirement applies to the rider and to a pillion passenger.

There are limited legal exceptions, including a passenger in a sidecar and a Sikh wearing a turban. The Government guidance also makes clear that somebody pushing a motorcycle on foot isn't required to wear one.

For everybody else, riding down the road without an approved helmet isn't a personal interpretation of the rules.

It's against the law.

What Is ECE 22.06?

ECE 22.06 is the current generation of the United Nations motorcycle helmet approval standard.

You'll often see it described simply as:

ECE 22.06
ECE R22.06
UN ECE 22.06
UN Regulation No. 22.06

They're referring to the same basic helmet approval system.

One useful thing to clear up is the word “European”.

ECE approval hasn't stopped being relevant in Britain because the UK left the European Union. UNECE Regulation 22 is a United Nations regulation and remains recognised in UK motorcycle helmet law.

How Is ECE 22.06 Different From ECE 22.05?

ECE 22.06 introduced a broader and more demanding range of tests than the older 22.05 approval.

Among the changes are:

More possible impact locations around the helmet
Testing over a broader range of impact energies
Additional assessment of rotational forces
More detailed testing of visors and accessories
Additional requirements for modular helmet configurations

The aim is to assess the helmet across a wider variety of impacts rather than relying on a smaller number of predetermined test points.

SHARP itself describes 22.06 testing as being more representative of the different types of impacts riders can suffer in real-world accidents.

That's why, if you're buying new now, we'd generally choose a current ECE 22.06 helmet rather than hunting around for old 22.05 stock just to save a few pounds.

Is ECE 22.05 Still Legal in the UK?

Yes.

This is worth repeating because there's a lot of confusion online.

Current UK Government guidance still lists UNECE Regulation 22.05 as an accepted motorcycle helmet standard.

If you've got a sound, properly fitting ECE 22.05 helmet, you haven't suddenly become a criminal because 22.06 arrived.

What has changed is the standard used for new helmet approvals.

New helmet designs now coming onto the market are generally approved to ECE 22.06.

There is also a difference between a helmet being legally approved and it still being a sensible helmet to use.

If your 22.05 helmet is ancient, damaged, badly worn or so loose that it spins around your head, the approval label isn't going to repair it.

What About BS 6658:1985?

The old British Standard BS 6658:1985 remains recognised in UK legislation where the helmet carries the appropriate BSI Kitemark.

You'll mostly encounter this on older helmets rather than modern new stock.

The vast majority of current motorcycle helmets sold in the UK now use UNECE approval instead.

So don't assume a helmet is illegal simply because it doesn't carry a BSI Kitemark.

An ECE 22.05 or 22.06-approved helmet doesn't need a BSI Kitemark as well.

Where Is the ECE Approval Mark on a Motorcycle Helmet?

On a modern ECE-approved helmet, look for the approval label sewn to the chin strap or attached within the helmet.

On an ECE 22.06 helmet you'll see an approval code containing an E followed by a number.

That number identifies the country whose approval authority issued the type approval.

For example, the “E” number does not represent a safety score.

An E1 helmet isn't automatically better than an E11 helmet and an E11 isn't eleven times safer than an E1.

It's an approval-authority code, not a league table.

What Do J, P and P/J Mean on a Motorcycle Helmet?

Modern ECE 22.06 labels also tell you something very useful about the helmet type.

J – Open-Face Helmet

A helmet marked J is approved as an open-face helmet.

It doesn't have an approved protective chin bar.

You can browse our open-face motorcycle helmets if that's the type of helmet you're looking for.

P – Protective Chin Bar

A helmet marked P has an approved protective chin bar.

This includes conventional full-face motorcycle helmets and some flip-front helmets.

If a flip-front helmet is approved only as P, the chin bar needs to be closed and properly locked while riding.

P/J – Approved Open and Closed

P/J approval is particularly relevant to flip-front motorcycle helmets.

It means the helmet has been approved in both configurations:

P – protective chin bar closed
J – approved open configuration

That means a P/J helmet can be used while riding in the manufacturer's approved open position, provided you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

There is an important bit of common sense here.

P/J approval means the helmet is approved for riding open.

It doesn't mean your face somehow still has full-face coverage when the chin bar is above your forehead.

NP – Non-Protective Lower Face Cover

You may also encounter NP.

This refers to a movable or detachable lower face cover that isn't approved to provide protective chin-bar performance.

Such a face cover should carry a warning or symbol indicating that it doesn't protect the chin from impacts.

Are Flip-Front Motorcycle Helmets Legal in the UK?

Yes.

A properly approved flip-front helmet is legal on UK roads.

The question is whether that particular helmet is approved to be ridden with the chin bar open.

If it's marked P/J, it has been approved for both the specified open and closed configurations.

If it's approved only as P, ride with the chin bar closed and locked.

Don't assume that because the mechanism physically opens, the helmet is approved to be ridden around with it open.

If you're considering one, our flip-front helmet range includes touring, commuting and modular helmets from a wide selection of manufacturers.

Are Open-Face Motorcycle Helmets Legal?

Yes, provided the helmet has the appropriate approval.

There is no general UK law saying you must wear a full-face helmet.

An approved open-face helmet can therefore be perfectly legal.

What changes is the amount of physical coverage.

An open-face helmet leaves the face and chin exposed, whereas a full-face helmet surrounds those areas with a fixed protective chin bar.

Legal doesn't necessarily mean identical protection.

They're two different helmet designs.

Are Motocross Helmets Road Legal?

They can be.

A motocross or off-road helmet isn't automatically illegal on the road simply because it has a peak and no conventional visor.

If it carries the necessary road approval, the helmet itself can be road legal.

You then need suitable approved eye protection where applicable.

If you're buying specifically for motocross, enduro or trail use, see our off-road motorcycle helmets.

Remember that a road-legal motocross helmet and a helmet suited to your particular riding are two separate questions.

A big peak and goggles might be brilliant on an enduro bike in the woods and slightly less brilliant during a long motorway run into a headwind.

What About Children's Motorcycle Helmets?

The same basic approval requirements apply to children travelling on motorcycles on the road.

The helmet also has to fit properly.

Do not buy a child's helmet several sizes too large so that they'll “grow into it”.

A helmet that moves around excessively isn't suddenly acceptable because it'll fit nicely in eighteen months.

Our children's motorcycle helmets include proper junior sizes, and our kids motorcycle clothing and helmet guide covers fitting young riders and pillions in more detail.

Is a DOT Helmet Legal in the UK?

Do not assume that an American DOT marking on its own makes a helmet legal for normal UK road use.

DOT is a United States standard.

The helmet needs to comply with a standard recognised under UK law.

Some helmets sold internationally carry several approvals, so a helmet might have both DOT and ECE markings.

In that case, it is the recognised UK approval that matters for UK road legality.

This is particularly worth checking if you're importing a helmet from the United States because the graphics look cheaper over there.

Does a Snell Approval Make a Helmet Road Legal?

Again, not by itself.

Snell standards are widely associated with motorsport and high-performance helmet testing, but a Snell sticker is not the normal road-approval route used by UK motorcycle helmet law.

A helmet may carry both ECE approval and another certification.

Check the exact helmet rather than assuming one badge automatically replaces another.

What Is an ACU Gold Sticker?

This is another one that causes endless confusion.

An ACU Gold sticker is not required to ride your motorcycle on ordinary UK roads.

ACU approval is relevant to motorcycle sport and certain track activities conducted under Auto-Cycle Union requirements.

So:

ECE/accepted approval = road legality.

ACU requirements = relevant to certain motorcycle competition and track use.

They are not interchangeable.

And don't assume every track-day organiser uses exactly the same helmet rules either.

If you're crossing over into cars as well, read our guide on using a motorcycle helmet for a car track day.

What Is SHARP?

SHARP stands for the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme.

It's the UK Government's independent motorcycle helmet safety assessment scheme.

SHARP takes helmets that already meet the required legal approval and subjects selected models to additional impact testing.

The helmet then receives a rating from:

1 star to 5 stars.

Five stars is the highest SHARP rating.

That's an important distinction:

ECE approval tells you whether a helmet has passed the required approval standard.

SHARP gives you additional information about the performance of helmets that are already approved.

Does a Helmet Need a SHARP Rating to Be Legal?

No.

SHARP doesn't test every motorcycle helmet sold in Britain.

A completely legitimate, road-legal ECE 22.06 helmet may have no SHARP rating simply because SHARP hasn't tested that particular model.

No SHARP rating does not mean:

It failed SHARP
It got zero stars
It's illegal
It's unsafe to sell

It means SHARP hasn't published a rating for that helmet.

Does a More Expensive Helmet Mean a Better SHARP Rating?

No.

This is something we've looked at in detail in our guide Are Expensive Motorcycle Helmets Actually Safer?

The short answer is that the price tag isn't a safety rating.

More expensive helmets can buy you plenty of worthwhile improvements:

Lighter shell materials
More shell sizes
Better-quality interiors
Improved ventilation
More refined aerodynamics
Better visor mechanisms
More replacement cheek-pad options
Better intercom integration
Higher-quality fittings and finish

All of those things can make a helmet much nicer to own.

They just don't guarantee a particular SHARP star rating.

Motorcycle Visor Law in the UK

The helmet isn't the only thing covered by the rules.

If you use a motorcycle visor or goggles on the road, they also need to comply with an accepted standard.

Modern approved visors are commonly approved as part of the UNECE helmet system.

When buying replacements, make sure the visor is intended for your exact helmet model and check any road-use markings or restrictions.

Our motorcycle helmet parts and accessories range includes clear visors, replacement visors, Pinlock® inserts, cheek pads, liners and other helmet parts.

Are Dark Tinted Motorcycle Visors Legal?

This is where it gets particularly relevant in Britain.

UK Government guidance states that visors transmitting less than 50% of visible light do not fully comply with the required standards and cannot legally be used on the road.

Some approved visors may also be marked “Daytime Use Only” or carry the equivalent symbol.

If yours says that, use it only during daylight.

Don't assume that because a dark visor clips perfectly onto your helmet, it's automatically road legal.

We sell replacement dark and mirrored visors where available, but some are specifically labelled not road legal.

That's not decorative wording.

Can I Use a Clear Visor at Night?

A clear approved visor is the obvious all-round choice for road riding where light conditions can change.

If you're setting off during the afternoon and coming home after dark, take that into consideration before fitting a heavily tinted visor.

An internal drop-down sun visor can be useful here because the main road visor can remain clear while the internal tint is raised or lowered as required.

Are Motorcycle Goggles Legal?

Approved motorcycle goggles can be used where appropriate.

As with visors, they need to comply with a recognised eye-protection standard for road use.

This is particularly relevant to riders using road-approved motocross or open-face helmets without a conventional visor.

Your favourite pair of sunglasses isn't automatically a substitute for approved motorcycle eye protection.

What If I Need Prescription Glasses?

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the required eyesight standard for driving, you need to wear them while riding.

That can influence which helmet fits you best.

Some motorcycle helmets have specific spectacle channels through the comfort padding, while others simply have more room around the temples.

If this applies to you, see our full guide to wearing glasses with a motorcycle helmet.

And when you're trying helmets in the shop, bring your actual glasses with you.

Finding out that your £400 helmet drives the arms of your glasses into your temples after twenty minutes isn't much fun.

A Legal Helmet Still Has to Fit Properly

This is the part people sometimes forget when discussing standards.

You can buy an ECE 22.06 helmet with an excellent SHARP rating from one of the biggest manufacturers in the world.

If it's two sizes too big, it's still the wrong helmet for you.

A properly fitted motorcycle helmet should:

Feel snug and even around the entire head
Hold the cheeks firmly
Move your cheeks and scalp when you move the helmet
Stay securely in position
Not rotate freely around the head
Have no significant gaps
Avoid sharp or painful pressure points
Allow the chin strap to fasten correctly

Keep it on for several minutes.

A helmet can feel perfect for the first thirty seconds and reveal a horrible pressure point across your forehead ten minutes later.

Heads are different shapes.

So are helmets.

That's why we don't subscribe to the idea that one particular helmet is “the best helmet” for everybody.

Full-Face, Flip-Front or Open-Face?

The law doesn't force every road rider into one helmet style.

Once you've established that the helmet carries the correct approval, you can choose the style that suits your riding.

Full-Face Motorcycle Helmets

Full-face motorcycle helmets use a fixed protective chin bar and provide coverage around the head, face and chin.

They're used for everything from commuting and touring to sports-bike and track riding.

Flip-Front Motorcycle Helmets

Flip-front helmets have a movable chin section and are particularly popular with commuters, touring riders and instructors.

Check whether the particular model carries P or P/J approval if you intend to ride with it open.

Open-Face Motorcycle Helmets

Open-face helmets cover the head but leave the face and chin exposed.

They're popular with scooter, cruiser and classic-bike riders.

Off-Road Motorcycle Helmets

Off-road helmets typically use a peak, extended chin section and large eye aperture intended for goggles.

Some are road approved; some specialist competition equipment may be intended primarily for off-road use. Check the approval of the exact helmet.

Can I Buy a Second-Hand Motorcycle Helmet?

You can find plenty of second-hand helmets for sale.

The problem is that you don't necessarily know their history.

A helmet can look respectable on the outside while having previously suffered a significant impact.

You may also be dealing with:

A compressed interior
Unknown crash history
Damaged retention components
Old or unavailable replacement parts
Worn cheek pads
A helmet that has shaped itself to somebody else's head

Given what a helmet is there to do, this is one area where knowing the history has considerable value.

Is There a Legal Age Limit for a Motorcycle Helmet?

No simple UK law says that every motorcycle helmet automatically becomes illegal on its fifth birthday.

Helmet age, condition, use and manufacturer recommendations all need considering.

A helmet may need replacing because:

It has been involved in an accident
The shell or EPS has been damaged
The retention system is damaged
The interior has worn enough to make the helmet loose
Components have deteriorated
The manufacturer recommends replacement

So don't confuse a manufacturer's recommended service life with a universal UK criminal-law expiry date.

They aren't the same thing.

Do I Need to Replace My Helmet After a Crash?

If a motorcycle helmet has taken a significant impact in an accident, replacement is the sensible approach.

The energy-absorbing structure inside a helmet is designed to manage impact energy, and damage isn't always obvious from looking at the painted outer shell.

Don't continue using a crashed helmet simply because the graphics still look nice.

If you're uncertain after a minor drop where the helmet wasn't being worn, check the manufacturer's advice for that specific helmet.

Can I Paint, Drill or Modify a Motorcycle Helmet?

Be very careful.

Helmet manufacturers warn against using unsuitable paints, solvents, adhesives or other substances that could affect helmet materials.

And drilling into the shell to fit cameras, intercoms, HANS anchors or anything else is not a clever DIY upgrade.

Use mounting systems and accessories approved or recommended for the helmet wherever possible.

When fitting an intercom, most modern helmets provide speaker recesses and safe routes for wiring through the removable comfort lining.

There should be no need to attack the protective shell or EPS with power tools.

Is an Intercom Legal in a Motorcycle Helmet?

Bluetooth communication systems are common in modern motorcycle helmets and many helmets are specifically designed to accept them.

The presence of an intercom doesn't remove the helmet's basic requirement to comply with its approved configuration.

Fit the system in accordance with the helmet and intercom manufacturers' instructions and don't modify protective parts of the helmet to squeeze it in.

Does Road Approval Mean I Can Use the Helmet on a Race Track?

Not necessarily.

This is another distinction worth understanding.

A helmet being legal on the road doesn't automatically mean it satisfies every motorcycle race, track day or car track-day regulation.

Track organisers and governing bodies may impose additional requirements.

For motorcycle competition this may include ACU requirements, while car motorsport uses its own standards and regulations.

Always check with the organiser rather than assuming.

We've covered this separately in our guide to using a motorcycle helmet on a car track day.

How Should You Choose a New Motorcycle Helmet?

Ignore the idea that there's one best helmet for everybody.

There isn't.

Start in this order:

Legal approval – normally ECE 22.06 for a new helmet.
Fit – it has to suit your actual head.
Protection information – check SHARP where a rating exists.
Helmet type – full-face, flip-front, open-face or off-road.
Comfort – particularly if you ride long distances.
Features – Pinlock, sun visor, ventilation, intercom preparation and so on.
Replacement parts – visors and liners matter if you're keeping it for years.
Graphics – yes, you can finally choose the one that matches the bike.

A beautiful helmet that doesn't fit you properly is still the wrong helmet.

Motorcycle Helmets at RaceLeathers

At RaceLeathers in Darwen, Lancashire, we stock a large range of current motorcycle helmets across different styles, sizes, prices and manufacturers.

You can browse:

We stock helmets from manufacturers including Shoei, HJC, Shark, Scorpion, Nolan, Bell, Airoh, Schuberth, MT, SMK, VCan and others.

More importantly, if you visit us in-store, we can help you find one that actually fits.

We'll measure your head as a starting point, then try different models, manufacturers and sizes where necessary.

We'll check for excessive movement, painful pressure points and the sort of fit issues you won't discover by simply clicking “Medium” because that's what your last helmet was.

You can spend £700 on a helmet.

You can spend considerably less.

What matters first is that it's properly approved and fits the head that's going inside it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What motorcycle helmet standard is legal in the UK?

Current UK Government guidance recognises helmets meeting UNECE Regulation 22.05, UNECE Regulation 22.06, BS 6658:1985 with the appropriate BSI Kitemark and certain equivalent standards. Most new motorcycle helmets now use ECE 22.06.

Is ECE 22.05 still legal in the UK?

Yes. Properly approved ECE 22.05 motorcycle helmets are still recognised for road use under current UK guidance. The arrival of ECE 22.06 did not automatically make existing 22.05 helmets illegal.

Is ECE 22.06 compulsory?

ECE 22.06 is now the normal standard for new helmet designs entering the market, but UK law still recognises properly approved ECE 22.05 helmets for road use.

Is ECE 22.06 better than ECE 22.05?

ECE 22.06 uses a broader and more demanding testing regime, including additional impact locations and testing intended to assess helmet performance across a wider range of accident conditions.

Does a motorcycle helmet need an ACU Gold sticker to be road legal?

No. An ACU Gold sticker isn't required for normal UK road riding. ACU approval relates to certain motorcycle sport and track activities. Road legality depends on the helmet meeting a standard recognised under UK law.

Does a motorcycle helmet need a SHARP rating to be legal?

No. SHARP is an additional UK Government safety-rating scheme. Not every legal motorcycle helmet has been tested by SHARP.

What does a five-star SHARP rating mean?

Five stars is the highest rating awarded under SHARP's additional motorcycle helmet impact-testing programme. SHARP tests helmets that have already met the required legal approval standard.

What does P/J mean on a motorcycle helmet?

P/J indicates that a modular helmet has been approved in both its protective closed configuration and its manufacturer-approved open configuration. Follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions regarding how it may be used.

Are flip-front motorcycle helmets legal?

Yes, provided the helmet has an accepted approval. Check whether it is approved as P or P/J if you intend to ride with the chin bar open.

Are open-face motorcycle helmets legal in the UK?

Yes. Properly approved open-face motorcycle helmets are legal. They leave the rider's face and chin exposed compared with a full-face design.

Are motocross helmets road legal?

A motocross helmet can be road legal if it carries an appropriate recognised road approval. You may also need suitable approved eye protection if the helmet doesn't have a conventional road visor.

Are dark motorcycle visors legal?

UK Government guidance states that visors transmitting less than 50% of visible light don't fully comply with the required standards and cannot legally be used on the road. Visors marked “Daytime Use Only” should only be used during daylight.

Is a DOT helmet road legal in the UK?

Do not rely on a US DOT marking alone. The helmet needs to meet a standard recognised for UK road use. Some internationally sold helmets carry both DOT and ECE approval, so check the exact certification label.

How do I know if my motorcycle helmet is ECE 22.06?

Check the approval label, normally sewn to the chin strap or within the helmet. A current approval label will include the relevant ECE approval information and the 06 series identification.

Is there a legal expiry date on a motorcycle helmet?

There isn't a universal UK law making every helmet illegal after a fixed number of years. Condition, fit, impact history and the helmet manufacturer's replacement guidance should all be considered.

Should I replace a motorcycle helmet after a crash?

A helmet that has taken a significant impact in a crash should normally be replaced. Damage to the energy-absorbing structure isn't always visible from the outside.

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