Support us

HelmetCanada

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Canada

160. Helmet

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries during a collision or fall. Different types of helmets are designed for motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and other activities and may be subject to specific safety standards.

Whether wearing a helmet is compulsory depends on the country, vehicle category, rider and sometimes age. A helmet should be suitable for its intended use, correctly fitted and securely worn so that it can provide the protection for which it was designed.

Helmet
Person wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Wikimedia.org • Stefania Anghelea • CC BY-SA
What is a helmet?

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injury if a rider falls or is involved in a collision.

Who should wear a helmet?

Helmet requirements depend on the vehicle and local traffic law. Motorcyclists and moped riders commonly have compulsory helmet requirements, while bicycle rules vary between countries.

Is a motorcycle helmet the same as a bicycle helmet?

No. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are designed and tested for different conditions and are subject to different safety standards. Use a helmet approved for the type of vehicle concerned.

Should a passenger also wear a helmet?

Yes, where required. Passengers on motorcycles, mopeds and certain other vehicles are generally exposed to the same head-injury risks as the rider and may be subject to the same helmet requirement.

How should a helmet fit?

A helmet should fit securely and comfortably without excessive movement. It should be worn and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Can you use a damaged helmet?

A helmet that has suffered a significant impact or has visible structural damage may no longer provide its intended protection and should normally be inspected or replaced.

Can any helmet be used on a motorcycle?

No. Where motorcycle helmets are regulated, the helmet must comply with the applicable approval or safety standard. A recreational or ordinary bicycle helmet is generally not an acceptable substitute.

Are bicycle helmets compulsory everywhere?

No. Some countries require helmets for all cyclists, others only for particular age groups or types of bicycle, and some recommend them without making them compulsory.

Do speed pedelecs require a special helmet?

They may. Because speed pedelecs can travel considerably faster than ordinary bicycles, some countries require an approved moped helmet or a bicycle helmet satisfying additional requirements.

Does wearing a helmet replace safe riding?

No. A helmet provides additional protection but does not replace safe speed, observation, correct road position, appropriate clothing or compliance with traffic rules.

1 Canada 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next junction 34 Traffic lights 35 Traffic lights warning 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Reversing 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled crossroad 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Caravan 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ... 101 Skateboard 102 Segway 103 Kick scooter 104 Roller skates 105 Mailman 106 Hitchhiker 107 Toddler 108 Child 109 Disability 110 Skier 111 Motorail 112 km/h 113 mph 114 Speedometer 115 Ride height 116 Dirt road 117 Driving 118 Start-stop system 119 Manual transmission 120 Automatic transmission 121 Throttle 122 Tachometer 123 Steering wheel 124 Power steering 125 Visual scanning 126 Mirror 127 Fuel 128 Fuel gauge 129 Petrol 130 Diesel 131 Diesel exhaust fluid 132 Car insurance 133 First aid kit 134 Fire extinguisher 135 High-visibility clothing 136 First aid 137 Concrete step barrier 138 Barriers 139 Vehicle lights 140 Street lights 141 Dipped beam 142 High beam 143 Fog lights 144 Front fog lights 145 Rear fog lights 146 Side lights 147 Turn signals 148 Hazard lights 149 Dashboard lights 150 Bicycle lighting 151 Bicycle bell 152 Headlight flashing 153 Seat belt 154 Child restraints 155 Head restraints 156 Airbag 157 ABS 158 Esp 159 Traction control system 160 Helmet 161 Bicycle helmet 162 Hands-free 163 Smartphone 164 GPS 165 Brake 166 Handbrake 167 Brake fluid 168 Tyres 169 Tyre code 170 Winter tyres 171 Tyre pressure 172 Snow chains 173 Bicycle tyre 174 Continuous track 175 Gross Vehicle Weight 176 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 177 Cargo 178 Car body 179 Trunk 180 Roof rack 181 Windscreen 182 Emergency hammer 183 Car battery 184 Traction battery 185 Suspension 186 Shock absorber 187 Spring 188 Exhaust 189 Exhaust gas 190 Soot 191 Catalytic converter 192 Engine 193 Petrol engine 194 Diesel engine 195 Electric motor 196 Timing belt 197 Glow plug 198 Cylinder 199 Engine oil 200 Coolant 201 Maintenance 202 Spare tyre 203 Flat tyre 204 Jack 205 Vehicle inspection 206 Key 207 Dashboard 208 Windscreen wiper 209 Doors 210 Glovebox 211 Visibility 212 Rain 213 Fog 214 Hail 215 Sunlight 216 Sunglasses 217 Salt 218 Air conditioning 219 Hydroplaning 220 Distraction 221 Emotions 222 Road rage 223 Health 224 Epilepsy 225 Night blindness 226 Visual impairment 227 Fatigue 228 Defects 229 Traffic violation 230 Alcohol 231 Alcohol control 232 Ignition interlock device 233 Breath test 234 Breath analysis 235 Blood alcohol content 236 Blood test 237 Saliva test 238 Drugs 239 Medication 240 Penalties 241 Speeding 242 Smoking 243 Traffic enforcement camera 244 Double curve 245 Accident 246 Injuries 247 Nosebleed 248 Damage 249 Breakdown 250 Warning triangle 251 Traffic rules 252 Driving school 253 Traffic signs