Do You Need To Wear Gear On A Motorcycle? UK Law And Advice

Do you need to wear gear on a motorcycle in the UK? Legally, the only item you must wear is a helmet that meets approved safety standards. Everything else, from your jacket to your boots, is down to you. That gap between what the law demands and what keeps you safe is where most confusion lies, so this guide sets out both clearly and answers the questions riders ask most often.

What UK Law Says You Must Wear

Rule 83 of the Highway Code rules for motorcyclists states that on all journeys, the rider and any pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped must wear a protective helmet. The same applies to motor tricycles and quad bikes. The rule is backed by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations.

There is one exemption. Followers of the Sikh religion who are wearing a turban do not have to wear a helmet.

Beyond the helmet, GOV.UK is clear: there is no law about wearing other protective clothing. You will not break the law by riding without a motorcycle jacket, trousers, gloves or boots. That does not make it a good idea, as the rest of this guide explains.

Helmet Standards Explained

Any old helmet will not do. According to the GOV.UK motorcycle helmet law page, your helmet must meet one of the following:

• British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI Kitemark.
• UNECE Regulation 22.05 or 22.06.
• A standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area that offers at least the same level of safety, with an equivalent mark.

The Highway Code also says your helmet must be fastened securely, and advises checking your visor before every ride. For extra peace of mind, the government-backed SHARP scheme tests and rates helmets for how well they protect you in a crash, and THINK! advises choosing a helmet with a strong SHARP rating.

Is Eye Protection Required Or Recommended?

This is a common source of confusion. Eye protection is not a legal requirement in itself, but Rule 84 of the Highway Code strongly recommends it. If you do wear a visor or goggles, they must meet the same British Standard or UNECE regulation as helmets.

The Highway Code also warns that scratched or poorly fitting eye protectors can limit your view, especially in bright sunshine and in the dark. Replace a badly scratched visor rather than riding on with it. Rule 84 suggests considering ear protection too.

What Is Strongly Recommended

The Highway Code advises that strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help protect you if you are involved in a collision. THINK! advice for motorcyclists, from the government road safety campaign, goes further: bikers should wear a protective jacket, gloves, boots and trousers. It points out that even minor falls can cause serious injuries, and that tarmac can wear through ordinary clothes such as jeans very quickly.

Jacket And Trousers

Motorcycle clothing falls into two main types: man-made textile gear and leather. Whichever you choose, NI Direct advises looking for additional protection at the shoulders, back, elbows, knees and hips.

Gloves

Good gloves or gauntlets are essential. NI Direct’s advice is never to be tempted to ride without them.

Boots

If you ride in sandals or trainers, your feet have little protection if you come off. Look for boots with protection for the shin, heel and ankle. Our guide on how motorcycle boots should feel helps with getting the fit right.

CE-Rated Gear, Armour And Visibility

What The CE Labels Mean

Motorcycle clothing sold as protective equipment carries a CE rating showing it has been tested to a European standard. The main ones to look for are:

• EN 17092 (jackets, trousers and suits): garments are graded by class. AAA is the highest level of protection, AA suits most touring and everyday commuting, and A is the baseline for lower-speed urban riding. Class B offers abrasion resistance without impact protectors, and Class C covers base-layer garments with built-in protectors but no abrasion resistance, designed to be worn under other clothing.
• EN 1621-1 (limb armour): covers shoulder, elbow, hip and knee protectors. Level 1 lets a maximum of 35kN of force through in testing; Level 2 allows no more than 20kN, so it offers better protection.
• EN 1621-2 (back protectors): a separate, stricter test for spine protection, again at Level 1 or Level 2.
• EN 13594 (gloves): look for “KP” on the label, which means knuckle protection.
• EN 13634 (boots): Level 2 boots are harder to crush side-to-side than Level 1.

Rules on CE marking govern the sale of motorcycle clothing, not what you wear. Nobody will stop you riding in uncertified kit, but the label is the easiest way to know what you are buying.

Armour only works if it stays in place. What you wear underneath matters, so see our guide on what to wear under a motorcycle jacket for layering that keeps protectors where they should be.

Being Seen On The Road

Protective clothing is only half the story. Rule 86 of the Highway Code recommends light-coloured or fluorescent helmets and clothing to help other road users see you in daylight, along with dipped headlights. Rule 87 advises reflective clothing or strips in the dark, because they catch the light from other vehicles’ headlamps and make you visible from further away.

A bright hi-vis vest over a dark jacket is an easy, inexpensive way to follow this advice.

What You Must Wear For Your Motorcycle Test

Although everyday riding has no clothing law beyond helmets, the DVSA does set clothing rules for your motorcycle test. According to GOV.UK, you must wear:

• A motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards (unless you are a Sikh wearing a turban).
• Motorcycle boots or other sturdy footwear that supports and protects your ankles.
• Textile or leather motorcycle trousers, or heavy denim trousers.
• A textile or leather motorcycle jacket, or a heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath.
• Motorcycle gloves.

If you are already used to riding in full gear, test day will not be a problem.

Do You Need To Wear Gear On A Motorcycle? Your FAQs Answered

Do You Have To Wear Gear On A Motorcycle?

By law, only a helmet that meets approved standards. Visors and goggles, if worn, must also meet approved standards. All other gear is optional in law but strongly recommended by the Highway Code and THINK!.

Can You Wear Whatever You Want On A Motorcycle?

Apart from the helmet, yes, legally. In practice, what you wear decides how badly you are hurt if you fall. Ordinary fashion clothing is not designed to resist sliding along tarmac or to absorb impacts, so choose gear made for riding.

Can You Ride A Motorbike In Normal Clothes?

You can, but it is a poor choice. THINK! warns that tarmac can wear through jeans quickly, and trainers or sandals give your feet little protection. If you want a more casual look, riding jeans and jackets with CE-rated armour are available. If you are thinking about wearing motorcycle trousers over jeans, our guide explains how that works.

Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Jacket In The UK?

No. There is no legal requirement to wear a motorcycle jacket in the UK. It is still one of the most important pieces of kit you can own, and THINK! lists a protective jacket among the gear bikers should wear. The only time you must wear one is on your motorcycle test, where a heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath is the minimum.

Does A Pillion Passenger Need A Helmet?

Yes. Rule 83 applies to the rider and pillion passenger alike, with the same Sikh turban exemption. It makes sense for your passenger to wear the same protective clothing as you.

Quick Checklist

• Helmet: a legal requirement for rider and pillion, meeting BS 6658:1985 with a Kitemark or UNECE 22.05/22.06, fastened securely.
• Visor or goggles: if worn, they must meet the same standards; keep them clean and unscratched.
• Jacket and trousers: look for EN 17092 labels and armour at shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees.
• Gloves: never ride without them.
• Boots: protection at shin, heel and ankle.
• Visibility: fluorescent by day, reflective at night.

The law asks for very little, but good gear is what protects you when things go wrong. You will find more practical guides at Beyond The Garden Gates.

Kaan Rassad

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