Snell Memorial Foundation, or simply Snell, and DOT or Department of Transportation certifications are the two main organizations that set safety standards for motorbike helmets in the U.S. The standards are also observed in other countries. Impact criteria and impact severity are different in both DOT and Snell certifications.

Snell Standards

Snell standards were developed following the death of William ‘Peter’ Snell in 1956. Mr. Snell was involved in an auto racing accident and the ineffective helmet contributed to the injuries which proved to be fatal. The SMF or Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit foundation which was originally formed in 1957 by his friends and racing colleagues. Snell standards are voluntary standards for different helmets, including bicycle helmets and helmets used in racing motorcycles, drag racing helmets, horseback riding helmets, as well as standards for other protective headgear. These are the toughest standards in the world and all certified helmets have to undergo vigorous force representation and other tests. Snell regularly buys samples the Snell certified helmets and other products and brings them into their lab for the follow-up testing. In Snell standards, the peak value for the allowed pulse is 300 G’s. Snell standards test the helmet’s chin bar. Other tests include positional stability/roll-off test, dynamic retention rest, shell penetration test, face shield penetration test, and flame resistance test.

DOT Standards

DOT standards set the minimum standards for all bike helmets meant for use on the public streets in the U.S. DOT certification is done through the honor system whereby the manufacturer determines whether the helmet satisfy DOT standards and then claims qualification. In DOT standards, the peak value for the allowed pulse is 400 G’s. DOT standards do not test the helmet’s chin bar.

Other Certifications

There are other standards and certifications in other parts of the world. These include the Auto-Cycle Union or ACU Gold or Silver badges, AS/NZS 1698:2006 for New Zealand and Australia, British Standards Institute or BSI 6658, CSA CAN3-D230-M85, although motorcycle helmets no longer have to be certified in Canada, NBR 7471 in Brazil, IS 4151 in India, JIS T 8133:2000 in Japan, SNI in Indonesia, and ECE 22.05 in the European Union.