DOT certified helmet in Europe
 

Am I going to have problems if I bring my DOT certified helmet when riding in Europe (on a bike with a European license plate) ? I know that helmets purchased in Europe need to be ECE22-05 certified (with 4 reflective stickers) but is it something checked by the police ? Helmets aren't cheap and I would prefer using mine.

Helmet law in Europe
 

Yes we have helmet laws, like the Americans too.

I live in Germany and have never heard about a helmet law for reflective stickers but I know that there is a law about it in France.

I am riding motor bikes for 50 jears now in Europe and round the world but never was stopped by the police etc for a helmet check. Not in the US with my European Helmet and not in Europe.

As I know the Italian police is sometimes a little bit more restrictive than the police in other countries

I think more important, for you, it will be what the insurance says/will do in case of an exident.

You won't be stopped for the lids stickers, or at least in 30 years I never have been.

If you are stopped for something else, they can go to town. Spanish police especially seem to like finding rules to apply to tourists the locals blatantly ignore. If they have a mate with a helmet shop and you were over the speed limit.....

If your lid looks like a motorcycle helmet and you ride sensibly you'll be fine. If it's something your Grandad brought home from the war and your dad added cow horns to, then yes buy one when you get here.

Andy

Hello Rich:

I live in Canada, but keep a (Canadian plated) motorcycle in Europe and have been riding in Europe every year for the past 18 years.

I've never been questioned about my helmet... in fact, in over 100,000 km of riding, I've never been stopped by police.

You do need 4 reflective stickers on a helmet in France (that is a French law), and NEW helmets sold in Europe should have a certain amount of reflectivity on them, but older helmets sold in Europe are still without stickers.

You can get a set of 4 reflective stickers to apply to your helmet from any moto shop in France - usually they just peel them off a big roll and give them away free.

So, if your helmet meets Canadian standards and is not some kind of silly skullcap like the Harley riders wear, you should not encounter any problems in Europe.

Michael