Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standards Explained: DOT, ECE, Snell & More

Eddie
Oct 1
3 min read

If there’s one bit of gear you never cheap out on, it’s your lid. A good helmet doesn’t just keep the bugs out of your teeth—it’s the only thing between your brain and the tarmac when things go sideways. But here’s the kicker: not all helmets are created equal. Those stickers on the back—DOT, ECE, Snell—aren’t just decoration. They’re safety standards, and they tell you how that helmet’s been tested and what kind of abuse it can handle.

Let’s break it down.

DOT (Department of Transportation – USA)

The DOT standard is the minimum legal requirement for helmets sold in the U.S. It’s a baseline test covering impact absorption, penetration resistance, and strap strength. Sounds solid, right? The problem is, DOT works on the honour system—manufacturers self-certify their helmets. The Feds do random checks, but plenty of sketchy lids with DOT stickers have slipped through.

Bottom line: DOT is better than nothing, but it’s the floor, not the ceiling.

Road Legal In Australia: No

ECE 22.05 (Economic Commission for Europe – Old Standard)

For a long time, ECE 22.05 was the global gold standard. Adopted in over 50 countries, it tested helmets for impact absorption, strap strength, visor durability, and field of vision. Compared to DOT, it was a serious step up, because helmets had to pass independent lab tests before going on sale.

But here’s the rub: 22.05 was written back in the late ’90s. It didn’t account for modern crash science—like rotational forces and angled impacts. It was good, but it got outdated.

Bottom line: Still legal in a lot of countries, but if you’re buying new, don’t settle for 22.05 when 22.06 helmets are on the shelves.

Road Legal In Australia: Yes

ECE 22.06 (Economic Commission for Europe – Current Standard)

ECE 22.06 is the next generation, and it’s tough. Helmets now get tested in multiple impact zones, at different speeds, with straight-on and angled hits. There’s even testing for rotational forces—because most crashes don’t happen like a lab drop test.

Unlike DOT, every helmet has to be tested by third-party labs before it gets sold. No self-certifying. No shortcuts.

Bottom line: 22.06 is the one to chase. It’s the most up-to-date real-world standard out there.

Road Legal In Australia: Yes

Snell (Snell Memorial Foundation – USA)

Snell is a private non-profit that’s been pushing helmet testing since the ’50s. Their standards are tougher than DOT or ECE, with higher impact speeds and stricter penetration tests. They even yank helmets off store shelves to test them without warning. Snell lids are popular in racing, where track rules sometimes demand them.

Bottom line: If you want a helmet that’ll laugh at hard hits, Snell-certified is a good bet.

Road Legal In Australia: Only if they are ECE or AS/NZS certified

MotoCAP CRASH (Australia/New Zealand)

The MotoCAP CRASH system doesn’t certify helmets—it rates them. Think movie reviews but for brain buckets. CRASH takes Australia & New Zealand road approved helmets and smashes them through extra tests, then gives a star rating out of five. It’s handy for comparing how different models perform in the real world.

Bottom line: Stars don’t lie. If you’ve got a choice between a two-star and a five-star lid, the answer’s obvious.

Road Legal In Australia: Yes (as they're already ECE or AS/NZS certified)

Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1698)

Here in Oz, helmets have to meet AS/NZS 1698, or now also ECE 22.05/22.06. The local standard covers impact and retention, but it’s been criticised for being outdated compared to modern ECE testing. That’s why regulators have opened the doors to ECE helmets—finally giving Aussie riders access to the best gear.

Bottom line: If you’re still rocking an old AS/NZS-only lid, it's probably time for an upgrade.

Road Legal In Australia: Yes

So, Which Helmet Should You Trust?

Here’s the truth: no standard guarantees you’ll walk away from a crash. But buying a helmet that meets (or beats) the toughest standards massively stacks the odds in your favour.

On a budget? At least get ECE 22.05—but go 22.06 if you can.
Track days or racing? Snell offers extra confidence
Want the best of the best? ECE 22.06 + a high MotoCAP CRASH rating.

Ultimately, wearing a helmet is a personal decision. Fit and comfort matter as much as the sticker on the back. But if the sticker’s not there—or it’s only DOT—don’t fool yourself. That’s not protection, that’s a gamble.

Machine Alley rule of thumb? Buy the best lid you can afford. Your brain’s worth more than your bike.