You bought your dream motorcycle and you’re ready to hit the open road. However, you still need to purchase one essential piece of gear: a motorcycle helmet.
So you start researching high-quality helmets that will keep you protected and, let’s face it, that also look good. You come across HJC helmets and are in love with the style, color scheme, protection value, and overall quality.
You’re ready to purchase your helmet, but one question remains: Are HJC helmets DOT approved?
Helmet safety, especially when riding a motorcycle, is essential, as helmets “saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016,” according to the CDC.
To better answer the above question, we must first explain what DOT approved means to give you a better understanding.
What does DOT approved mean?
DOT stands for the Department of Transportation.
According to Snell Memorial Foundation,
There are two organizations setting safety standards for motorcycle helmets in the United States, the Federal Government’s Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Snell Memorial Foundation. DOT sets minimum standards that all helmets sold for motorcycling on public streets must meet. The standard is Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218) and is known commonly as the DOT helmet standard.
If your helmet isn’t DOT approved, then it hasn’t gone through rigorous testing and therefore might not provide you with the proper protection you need when riding a motorcycle. After all, according to the CDC, “Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37 percent.”
If your helmet isn’t DOT approved, then a red flag should be raised because, as Snell Memorial Foundation puts it, DOT sets minimum standards that all helmets sold for motorcycling on public streets must meet. If those standards aren’t being met, then you’re likely purchasing a helmet that’s not meeting minimum standards and protection from the helmet is in question.
Are HJC helmets DOT approved?
The short answer: Yes.
According to HJC, the DOT
standard establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users resulting from head impacts. This standard applies to all helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users.
HJC helmets fall under that category and standard. With that said, not all HJC helmets are Snell approved. If that’s a concern to you, then we highly recommend checking with the merchandiser before purchasing your HJC helmet, because some are both Snell and DOT approved and some only meet the DOT standard.
If you’re planning to buy an HJC helmet, then you should rest assured that it’s DOT approved and will provide proper protection, which is essential when riding a motorcycle given that, the CDC says, “Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent.”
While you can rest at ease that your HJC helmet is DOT approved, we encourage riders to always check with the seller or manufacturer before purchasing a helmet. It’s only beneficial to do your own due diligence, especially when it comes to helmet and motorcycle safety, and if you want to see what standards are being met with your helmet.
To stay up to date on federal helmet regulations, we encourage you to check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries, they can make you more visible on the road to other drivers, they can protect you from road debris and other elements (such as the sun and cold weather), and in many states, they’re required. Never ride your motorcycle without one.