When riding a motorcycle on UK roads you must wear a helmet that meets British Safety Standard.
When buying a motorcycle helmet, especially online, there are a few things you must look for. Not all online stores will sell helmets suitable for road use.
Safety Standards
Helmets must meet one of the following standards:
British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI Kitemark
UNECE Regulation 22.05
Visor and Googles
meet a British Standard and display a BSI Kitemark
meet a European standard offering at least the same safety and protection as the British Standard and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (UNECE Regulation 22.05)
Shape and Fit
You may find that each brand of helmet will have a slightly different shape and feel. You must ensure that any helmet worn on the road is fitted corrected to your head.
Safety Helmet Assessment & Rating Programme (SHARP)
SHARP is a consumer information scheme that uses a 1 to 5 star rating scale to indicate the level of protection a helmet can provide.