http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1807The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998Protective headgearDescription of goodsROAD TRAFFICStatute Law Database2024-03-13Expert Participation2020-07-04 These Regulations revoke and consolidate with amendments the Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980 and their amending instruments (the “1980 Regulations”). The 1980 Regulations prescribed certain types of helmet recommended as affording protection to persons on or in motor cycles from injury in the event of accident. The types of helmet were prescribed by reference to conformity with certain British Standards and by appropriate markings. 1998 No. 1807 ROAD TRAFFIC The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998 Made 22nd July 1998 Laid before Parliament 30th July 1998 Coming into force 21st August 1998 The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 16 and 17 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with the provisions of section 195(2) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:— Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998 and shall come into force on 21st August 1998. Revocation 2 The Regulations specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations are hereby revoked. Interpretation3In these Regulations—a“EEA State” means a State which is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993;aa“ECE Regulation 22” means Regulation No. 22 set out in Addendum 21 to the UNECE Agreement;aaa“ECE Regulation 22.05” means ECE Regulation 22 as amended by the 05 series of amendments and all previous amendments in force on 30th June 2000;aaaa“the UNECE Agreement” means the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concluded at Geneva on 20th March 1958 as amended concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for the reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions, to which the United Kingdom is a party by virtue of an instrument of accession dated 14th January 1963 deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations on 15th January 1963;ba reference to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation so numbered in these Regulations; andca reference to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation in which the reference occurs. Protective headgear41Save as provided in paragraphs (2) and (2A), every person driving or riding (otherwise than in a side-car) on a motor bicycle when on a road shall wear protective headgear.2Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any person driving or riding on a motor bicycle if—ait is a mowing machine; orbit is for the time being propelled by a person on foot.2ANothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any person driving an electric scooter being used in a trial.3In this regulation— “electric scooter” means a motor bicycle which—is fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts;is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle;has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel;is designed to carry no more than one person;has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kilograms;has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour;has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel;has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; andhas a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position; “local public authority” means—in England and Wales, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 2 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000; andin Scotland, any body, other person or holder of any office listed in Part 3 (local government) of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002;“motor bicycle” means a two-wheeled motor cycle, whether or not having a side-car attached, and for the purposes of this definition where the distance measured between the centre of the area of contact with the road surface of any two wheels of a motor cycle is less than 460 millimetres, those wheels shall be counted as one wheel;“protective headgear” means a helmet which—either—bears a marking applied by its manufacturer indicating compliance with the specifications contained in one of the British Standards (whether or not as modified by any amendment) mentioned in Schedule 2 to these Regulations; oris of a type manufactured for use by persons on motor cycles which by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford to the wearer a degree of protection from accidental injury similar to or greater than that provided by a helmet of a type prescribed by regulation 5;if worn with a chin cup attached to or held in position by a strap, is provided with an additional strap (to be fastened under the wearer’s jaw) for securing the helmet to the head; andis securely fastened to the head by means of straps provided for that purpose; ...“strap” includes any fastening device ; and“trial” means an assessment as to the suitability of electric scooters for use on roads conducted by virtue of—an order made under sections 44 and 63(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; oran arrangement made between one or more local public authorities and a person who hires out electric scooters Prescribed types of recommended helmet51The types of helmet hereby prescribed as types of helmet recommended as affording protection to persons on or in motor cycles from injury in the event of an accident are helmets which as regards their shape, construction and other qualities conform—awith British Standard 6658:1985 as amended by Amendment Slip number 1 published on 28th February 1986 and are marked with the number of that standard, ...bwith any other standard accepted by an EEA State which offers in use equivalent levels of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose and are marked with a mark to indicate that standard, and in each case are marked with an approved certification mark of an approved body (whether or not they are required to be so marked by the standard in point) , orcwith ECE Regulation 22.05 including the approval, marking and conformity of production requirements of that Regulation.2For the purposes of this regulation—aan approved certification mark is—ithe certification mark of the British Standards Institution; oriia certification mark which indicates that a conformity assessment equivalent to that of the British Standards Institution has been undertaken, andban approved body is—ithe British Standards Institution; oriiany body approved by an EEA State to undertake conformity assessments equivalent to those undertaken by the British Standards Institution. Saving for the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Consumer Protection Act 19876Nothing in regulation 5(1) shall be taken to authorise any person to apply any number or mark referred to therein in contravention of ... the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions Helene Hayman Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 22nd July 1998 SCHEDULE 1 REVOCATIONS Regulation 2
(1)(2)
Orders revokedReferences
The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980S.I. 1980/1279
The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 1981S.I. 1981/374
The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 1986S.I. 1986/472
SCHEDULE 2 BRITISH STANDARDS Regulation 4(3) 1 British Standard 2001:1956 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
111th January 1957
223rd November 1959
327th February 1962
411th June 1964
513th March 1968
618th February 1972
2 British Standard 1869:1960 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
129th May 1963
43rd December 1965
513th March 1968
610th August 1971
73rd January 1972
815th May 1973
91st February 1974
102nd September 1974
111st March 1975
3 British Standard 2495:1960 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
129th May 1963
222nd February 1965
37th December 1965
422nd July 1966
510th August 1971
63rd January 1972
71st February 1974
81st March 1975
4 British Standard 2001:1972 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
112th December 1972
226th January 1973
31st February 1974
42nd September 1974
51st March 1975
5 British Standard 5361:1976 6 British Standard 2495:1977 7 British Standard 5361:1976 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
130th September 1977
231st August 1978
331st August 1979
429th February 1980
8 British Standard 2495:1977 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
130th September 1977
231st August 1978
331st August 1979
429th February 1980
9 British Standard 5361:1976 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
130th September 1977
231st August 1978
331st August 1979
429th February 1980
527th February 1981
10 British Standard 2495:1977 as amended by the following Amendment Slips—
NumberDate of Publication
130th September 1977
231st August 1978
331st August 1979
429th February 1980
527th February 1981
11 British Standard 6658:1985 as amended by the following Amendment Slip—
NumberDate of Publication
128th February 1986
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and consolidate with amendments the Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980 and their amending instruments (the “1980 Regulations”). The 1980 Regulations prescribed certain types of helmet recommended as affording protection to persons on or in motor cycles from injury in the event of accident. The types of helmet were prescribed by reference to conformity with certain British Standards and by appropriate markings.

These Regulations require every person driving or riding (otherwise than in a side-car) on a motor cycle on a road to wear protective headgear as defined in regulation 4. This requirement does not extend to a mowing machine, or vehicle being propelled by persons on foot (regulation 4(2)). Nor does it extend, by virtue of section 16(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to a follower of the Sikh religion while he is wearing a turban.

Regulation 5 prescribes certain types of helmet recommended as affording protection to persons on or in motor cycles from injury in the event of an accident. The types of helmet are so prescribed by reference to British Standard 6658:1985 as amended or any other standard accepted by a European Economic Area (“EEA”) State which offers in use equivalent levels of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose. In each case the helmet must be marked with the relevant standard with which it conforms and an approved certification mark of an approved body. In this context “equivalent levels” means levels which are the same or greater in respect of the factors specified. The 1980 Regulations did not prescribe types of helmet by reference to standards accepted by EEA States.

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 83/189/EEC of 28th March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ 1983 L109, p.9) as amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC of 22nd March 1988 (OJ 1988 L81, p.75) and European Parliament and Council Directive 94/10/EEC of 23rd March 1994 (OJ 1994 L100, p.30).

British Standard 6658:1985 may be obtained from any outlet operated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) or by post from BSI at 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL (Telephone number: 0181-996 9000).

Copies of the Directives can be obtained from the Stationery Office.

1988 c. 52. Cm 2073 and 2183. 1987 c. 43. Reg. 1 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Reg. 2 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Reg. 3 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Reg. 4 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Reg. 5 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Reg. 6 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Sch. 1 in force at 21.8.1998, see reg. 1Regs. 3(aa)-(aaaa) inserted (30.6.2000) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1488), regs. 1(1), 2Word in reg. 5(1)(a) revoked (30.6.2000) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1488), regs. 1(1), 3(2)Words in reg. 5(1) substituted (30.6.2000) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1488), regs. 1(1), 3(3)Reg. 5(1)(c) and word inserted (30.6.2000) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1488), regs. 1(1), 3(4)Words in reg. 6 omitted (26.5.2008) by virtue of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 89, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with reg. 28(2)(3))Reg. 4(2A) inserted (4.7.2020) by The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 (S.I. 2020/663), Pt. 1 reg. 1(2), 3(2)(b)Words in reg. 4(1) substituted (4.7.2020) by The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 (S.I. 2020/663), Pt. 1 reg. 1(2), 3(2)(a)Words in reg. 4(3) inserted (4.7.2020) by The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 (S.I. 2020/663), Pt. 1 reg. 1(2), 3(2)(c)(i)Word in reg. 4(3) omitted (4.7.2020) by virtue of The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 (S.I. 2020/663), Pt. 1 reg. 1(2), 3(2)(c)(ii)Words in reg. 4(3) inserted (4.7.2020) by The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 (S.I. 2020/663), Pt. 1 reg. 1(2), 3(2)(c)(iii)