Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
49 CFR 571.218 — Motorcycle helmets
The current federal motorcycle-helmet standard.
Motorcycle crashes
After a motorcycle crash, the helmet is evidence too
GuideWeSpeakLaw EditorialUpdated August 27, 2026Sources reviewed
The label, model and condition of a helmet can answer important equipment questions. They cannot tell the whole crash story on their own.
Verification ledger
Primary sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet
NHTSA's explanation of certification labels, testing and recalls.
Preserve the scene and the equipment
Keep the crash-report number, photographs, witness details and vehicle information together. If a helmet or other riding gear was involved, preserve its labels, model information and post-crash condition without cleaning, repairing or discarding it. That is practical evidence care, not a conclusion about fault or injury causation.
Write down what you personally observed and keep it separate from later explanations. State law—not this federal equipment guide—governs responsibility and deadlines.
What the DOT label means
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 sets performance and labeling requirements for motorcycle helmets made for highway use. A compliant label identifies the maker or brand, model, DOT certification and the federal standard.
The DOT mark is the manufacturer's certification. NHTSA does not approve each helmet before sale, and a label alone should not be treated as a government finding about a particular crash.
Check the exact model
NHTSA tests selected helmets for compliance and may issue a formal recall after a failed test. Record the manufacturer, model, size and manufacture date so a search is tied to the actual helmet rather than a similar-looking product.
A recall or failed compliance test can establish an equipment issue identified by the agency. Connecting that issue to a particular event or injury requires separate evidence.
Corrections
Updated August 27, 2026. No corrections are recorded.