Safety equipment

Helmet

You must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets sold in the UK must comply with at least 1 of these:

  • British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark
  • UNECE Regulation 22.05
  • any standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area which offers a level of safety and protection equivalent to BS 6658:1985 and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark

You must wear glasses or contact lenses when you ride if you need them to read a number plate at the prescribed distance.

Visors and goggles

Your visors or goggles must comply with either:

  • a British Standard and displays a BSI Kitemark
  • a European standard which offers a level of safety and protection at least equivalent to the British Standard and carries a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (ECE 22-05)