Wearing a helmet in a car on the road

[Wollemi]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the law is on wearing a crash helmet whilst driving a car?

I was told many many years ago that it is not permitted, but I would like to know the facts.

Why? I have bought a new helmet for tracks days and want to spend some time getting used to it.

[sidekickdmr]

Why wear it while driving with limited side vision etc?

Youll also look like a loon.

Just wear it on the sofa at home

[Magic919]

There are reasons people don't wear helmets in cars, but it's not illegal. If it was, imagine how many Sikhs they'd have to prosecute.

[marshalla]

Magic919 said:

There are reasons people don't wear helmets in cars, but it's not illegal. If it was, imagine how many Sikhs they'd have to prosecute.

I don't think I've ever seen a Sikh wearing a helmet, nor a full-face turban or even an open-face turban with full side coverage.

[boyse7en]

Magic919 said:

There are reasons people don't wear helmets in cars, but it's not illegal. If it was, imagine how many Sikhs they'd have to prosecute.

What????

Why would they have to prosecute Sikhs for not wearing a helmet that is not a legal requirement?

[Jordan210]

Magic919 said:

There are reasons people don't wear helmets in cars, but it's not illegal. If it was, imagine how many Sikhs they'd have to prosecute.

[Tom_C76]

Wollemi said:

I was wondering if anyone knows what the law is on wearing a crash helmet whilst driving a car?

I was told many many years ago that it is not permitted, but I would like to know the facts.

Why? I have bought a new helmet for tracks days and want to spend some time getting used to it.

Lots of people wear helmets in aeroscreen cars such as Caterhams. I've not noticed it impacting on visibility, and TBH the ear defenders we wear when touring probably have more impact on driving.

[anonymous-user]

Doesn't it depend on the helmet too? Those designed for the racetrack aren't legal for road use on bikes or cars, I understand, because of the restricted visibility.

Certainly OK to wear a bike approved helmet in a car.

[LordHaveMurci]

Wollemi said:

I was wondering if anyone knows what the law is on wearing a crash helmet whilst driving a car?

I was told many many years ago that it is not permitted, but I would like to know the facts.

Why? I have bought a new helmet for tracks days and want to spend some time getting used to it.

I drove to an industrial estate early on a sunday morning then put my helmet on & drove around for a bit while the place was pretty much deserted. Easy enought o explain in the unlikely event you did get pulled.

[Tom_C76]

REALIST123 said:

Doesn't it depend on the helmet too? Those designed for the racetrack aren't legal for road use on bikes or cars, I understand, because of the restricted visibility.

Certainly OK to wear a bike approved helmet in a car.

Rather defeats the object if you're trying to get used to a helmet for trackdays though. Assuming its a motorsport one... The visor is slightly smaller, but still gives adequate vision IMO. Main difference is the visor thickness and makeup of the shell.

[Pip1968]

I have no idea if it is legal although most people would think that you were a wierdo. Let's face it even if it was illegal you would be unlikely to get pulled over. I see so many cars (esp. in winter) with one headlight out and tints that are 'clearly' too dark on the front windows of cars so clearly plenty of people doing as they please.

Pip

[Bigends]

Wear whatever you like inside a car as long as it doesnt impede your ability to control the car and drive safely

[BertBert]

Wollemi said:

Why? I have bought a new helmet for tracks days and want to spend some time getting used to it.

OT, but how much getting used to does a new helmet need?

[Antony Moxey]

Nothing wrong with wearing a crash helmet in a car - I've been doing it for years in my Tiger and have never been pulled for it. I asked a trafplod mate of mine years ago if it was alright to wear one one, he looked at me quizzically and asked why I thought it wouldn't be.

[Osinjak]

Magic919 said:

There are reasons people don't wear helmets in cars, but it's not illegal. If it was, imagine how many Sikhs they'd have to prosecute.

Eh?! What a ridiculous comment.

[Ki3r]

BertBert said:

OT, but how much getting used to does a new helmet need?

I would suggest if you are having to 'bed it in' it's not correctly fitted. Both my motorcycle ones have fitted like a glove first time.

[Evoluzione]

BertBert said:

Wollemi said:

Why? I have bought a new helmet for tracks days and want to spend some time getting used to it.

OT, but how much getting used to does a new helmet need?

About as much as a new pair of socks.

[HustleRussell]

Done it plenty. Never had any trouble.

[Huff]

Likewise.

[jeffw]

REALIST123 said:

Doesn't it depend on the helmet too? Those designed for the racetrack aren't legal for road use on bikes or cars, I understand, because of the restricted visibility.

Certainly OK to wear a bike approved helmet in a car.

Nonsense. There is no legal requirement to wear a helmet in a car so therefore there is no restriction on using either a BSI approved motorcycle helmet or a Motorsport Helmet (either FIA or Snell approved).

Bike helmets have larger vertical apertures because riders move around while riding and can sit in very different positions (racing crouch or Goldwing bolt upright) and the helmet needs to cope with all styles.

Motorsport helmets have much smaller vertical apertures because car drivers are pretty much in the same position all the time. There is no restriction in vision for a Motorsport helmet, simply a smaller vertical aperture. This small aperture allows better resistance to intrusion by objects (more helmet less visor) and motorsport helmets are also have fire resistant interior and a nomex strap. In addition modern motorsport helmets will have fixtures for FHR like HANS.

In practical terms motorcycle helmets are designed for motorcycles (shocking news) and motorsport helmets are designed for car. In an open top car motorcycle helmets will tend to lift at speed while motorsport helmets are designed not too. You can use either for a trackday in a car but if you are buying new and don't have a bike you'd be advised to get a motorsport lid. You can't use a BSI Bike helmet for Motorsport events in the UK as they are not compliant with MSA regulations and you can't use a Motorsport helmet on a motorcycle as it doesn't comply with the BSI standards nor is it designed to work on bikes.

Edited by jeffw on Thursday 21st April 06:46