Helmet Laws in Canada for Motorcycle Drivers

Wherever you are in Canada, both drivers and passengers of motorcycles are required to wear a helmet. While this is the rule across the country, the laws are provincially mandated. Some provinces, such as Ontario, have exceptions for riders of Sikh descent, however, most do not.

In addition to a helmet being required, there are specific standards with which a a helmet must comply. In Canada, helmets must comply with and display certification one of the following standards:

  • DOT (helmets approved on the basis of complying with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218);
  • Snell Certification (helmets approved on the basis of complying with Snell Memorial Foundation standards); or
  • ECE (helmets approved by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe)

In addition to meeting the above standards, it is recommended that motorcycle helmets have are well fitting and have the following features:

  • Full-face protection;
  • A wide field of view;
  • Visibility and/or reflective material;
  • Lightweight to prevent rider fatigue;
  • Proper ventilation; and
  • Bluetooth connectivity to enable hands free communication.

As a final note about motorcycle helmets – it is important to buy your helmet new from a reputable retailer. This will allow you to know that the helmet has not sustained unseen damage or is not subject to safety recalls.

While it is the hope that you will never need it, having the best available safety equipment can help prevent or limit the effect of an injury in the event of a collision.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle collision, contact our office to discuss your options.

Written By

KEVIN

The son of a grocery store clerk, Kevin grew up outside of Perth, Ontario. He credits his humble beginnings with the development of his underdog mentality, an approach he has carried into his legal career.

He attended McMaster University for two years before being granted early admission to Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the bar in 2008, Kevin began practising law in Hamilton before joining a leading Toronto litigation firm, representing Canada’s largest insurance companies on personal injury actions. “I didn’t find it fulfilling,” Kevin recalls. “I was helping companies save money, when what I wanted to do was help the people going up against these major corporations.” Since joining Oatley Vigmond, Kevin has used his insurance-industry experience to protect his clients and recover the compensation they deserved. He’d been at Oatley Vigmond for two months when he settled a matter for a client at a mediation. “You felt the burden of the litigation, and her injuries, lifting off her. I wanted to help even more people experience the relief of having their uncertainty lifted.’”

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