My motor bike licence
Motor bike helmets
South Australian motor bike helmet laws
All motor bike riders must wear an approved motor bike helmet. This includes any pillion or sidecar passengers.
An approved motor bike helmet is a helmet made to comply with one of the following:
- AS 1698
- AS/NZ 1698
- the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standard 22.05
- the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standard 22.06
The helmet should:
- have an identifying mark that certifies compliance with one of the standards above
- be in good repair and proper working order and condition.
Full-face helmets offer better face and eye protection than open-face helmets. Around half of all impacts to the head in motor bike crashes occur to the face.
Full-face helmets also offer better wind and sun protection.
Helmet condition
A helmet should be in good repair and proper working order and condition.
For example, if a helmet has been scratched or marked, this should not:
- penetrate the helmet's outer shell
- damage the helmet's retention system
- damage the helmet's inner lining.
Helmet accessories
All approved helmet standards contain information about helmet accessories:
Standard | Requirements |
---|---|
AS 1698 and AS/NZS 1698 | No attachments should be made to the helmet, except those recommended by the helmet manufacturer. |
ECE 22.05 | No component or device may be fitted to or incorporated in the protective helmet. Exceptions apply if both:
|
ECE 22.06 | Any accessory must be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Only accessories that have been tested and approved with ECE 22.06 helmets can be used. This ensures they preserve the helmet's functionality and structural integrity. |
Refer to the manufacturer instructions for the make and model of your helmet. This will help you to determine the suitability for attachments.
Helmet visors and face shields
Motor bike riding can impact a rider’s eyes due to:
- wind
- rain
- sun glare
- exhaust fumes
- flying insects
- dust and debris.
To ensure that you can see in all conditions:
- use an approved visor or face shield that is clean and free of scratches
- carry sunglasses or choose a helmet with a tinted visor. This should operate separately from the main clear visor.
When choosing a visor or face shield (clear or tinted), ensure it meets the requirements as specified by the standard.
Standard | Requirements |
---|---|
AS1698:2006 | The visor or face shield should comply with:
|
ECE22.05 Standard | The visor or face shield should comply with ECE22.05 specifications |
ECE22.06 Standard | The visor or face shield should comply with ECE22.06 specifications |
More information
For more information about motor bike rider safety, refer to the Rider’s Handbook.