Helmet questions

[alimey4u2]

Hello,
I will be returning to the UK (England) after a 30 year absence & am wondering what the laws/rules are, as to (USA) DOT/Snell 95 approved helmets ?
Also dark (or tinted) visors ?
Thanking you in advance for your replies.

 

[Frank Warner]

Think it would be like Oz - they will have their own standard (BS British Standards) and may acept CE (European standards). But DOT, Snell or AS (Austrlian Standards) probably won't be legal. Of course teh number of people who look will be very small indead.

 

[Blackal]

Hello,
I will be returning to the UK (England) after a 30 year absence & am wondering what the laws/rules are, as to (USA) DOT/Snell 95 approved helmets ?
Also dark (or tinted) visors ?
Thanking you in advance for your replies.

Helmets must be in accordance to the relevant UK or EU standard at time of manufacture. An old helmet with the Kite Mark is still legal. I don't think any USA-approved helmet is legal in UK unless it additionally has a European standard label also.

As far as visors go - bit vague from my research on the subject - Some sources state zero tint while others say that some light restriction is allowable. Even a photrochromatic insert is slightly tinted?

I think the Hartside website has a lot of info on the subject.

If all else fails -a new helmet can cost as little as £50

Al

 

[Blackal]

Hi,
I've found the document that I printed out when buying a helmet on ebay a few months ago. It gives all the standards and law regarding helmets in the EU/UK. It is in PDF format (166kb).

I can't remember which site it came from so can't direct you to that - but if you send me your e-mail address, I'll send it to you.

PM me?

Al

 

[Cheesy Mike]

Hi,
I've found the document that I printed out when buying a helmet on ebay a few months ago. It gives all the standards and law regarding helmets in the EU/UK. It is in PDF format (166kb).

That would most likely be this document - http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/pdf/dft_roads_pdf_506862.pdf

Mike

 

[alimey4u2]

Many thanks for your replies......

 

[Fanum]

I don't think any USA-approved helmet is legal in UK unless it additionally has a European standard label also.

True, but you'd have to meet a right a-hole of a copper who's having a bloody bad day for them to ever check.

Either that or fail the 'attitude test' something chronic

 

[alimey4u2]

True, but you'd have to meet a right a-hole of a copper who's having a bloody bad day for them to ever check.

Either that or fail the 'attitude test' something chronic

My Simpson (Darth Vader) attracts the wrong kind of attention I'm afraid. I do love the stares of snotty nosed little kids pinned to the glass of UV's though. A good influence in fostering our next generation of bikers........

 

[gasman]

Just use it til it dies. I did with mine, I can't imagine you getting into trouble.
BTW 30 years away !!! You may find that things have changed a bit !!

 

[xbootie]

True, but you'd have to meet a right a-hole of a copper who's having a bloody bad day for them to ever check.

Either that or fail the 'attitude test' something chronic

I'm in work tomorrow (i hate shifts especially a late shift on saturday night ) and work next to the traffic dept at Taunton police station, i will ask one of them if i see one of them walking about in the rear yard - sorry forgot they dont walk anywhere these days do they and see what they think the score is

 

[Cheesy Mike]

I'm in work tomorrow (i hate shifts especially a late shift on saturday night ) and work next to the traffic dept at Taunton police station, i will ask one of them if i see one of them walking about in the rear yard - sorry forgot they dont walk anywhere these days do they and see what they think the score is

If you see a Pan European ex-police bike now marked up with "Blood" instead of "Police" any evening next week through to Nov 7th, do wave, as I will be on duty all week. Musgrove Park is a very common destination and my route in takes me right past the police station.

Mike

 

[xbootie]

yeah will do

 

[xbootie]

Right this has caused a bit of a debate at my place of work - but here is the short version

Technically yes you would be committing a offence under section 16 of the road traffic act 1988

Here is what it states in the act. now i am not going to type on here the full details of the above act, but it does state that in paragraph c

"Must bear a mark indication in compliance with British standard/equivalent EU standard"

But if you were "visiting" this country, you would not be committing an offence as you would be here on a temporary basis, lets face it, if you go off touring around the world you do not need to take a helmet for each diffierent country you visit. no

As for the visor - that will also have a bear a BS or Eu standard number and bear on it "for daytime use only" - failing that do as i do and carry a clear visor with you - a pain i know but might save you a few points or a fine

Now ive have been lucky (or should that be unlucky ) enough to of only been stopped twice so far, and neither time have they checked my cash helmet, so unless you get stopped at a department of transport check or have been stopped by PC Grumpy on a really really bad day then it is upto you - do you you take the risk

i feel like i should put some sort of disclaimer in this post so - use the above advice, comments at your own risk

Hope this helps - Adrian

 

[alimey4u2]

Many Thanks Adrian........

 

[Bigtwin]

Hate to be a pedant, but you would actually be committing on offence even if you were visiting for a short duration.

Of course, we'd all hope that common sense would prevail on the part of the authorities, given the practicalities of touring as pointed out above, but nevertheless, under the Act, you would be committing the offence, and it would be a question of descretion regarding enforcement.

The Act is descriptive, rather than proscriptive, within England and Wales jurisdiction, so says nothing about what you can do abroad vis-a-vis English law; that would be a matter of the local law in the jurisdiction you are visiting.

There may be some EU (or possibly wider) agreement on mutual regcognition of safety standards that applies and will help within the EU area - if I have time I'll have a butchers.

Lawyers eh?....