Pulled over for non DOT helmet
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,819
Likes: 38,670
From: Post Falls, ID
Sounds like your Fourth Amendment rights were violated after he discovered you had a legal helmet before pulling you over.
Ca cops long ago stopped making helmet stops. Cops in Ca cannot prove if it's a legal helmet or not without conducting an SAE engineering impact test on it.
Ca cops long ago stopped making helmet stops. Cops in Ca cannot prove if it's a legal helmet or not without conducting an SAE engineering impact test on it.
http://www.bikersrights.com/states/c...chp/chp71.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,858
Likes: 5,421
From: My own little slice of heaven
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 107,687
Likes: 20,116
From: Ft. Worth, TX
I can not find ANY requirement in DOT or FMVSS 218 that states that the DOT sticker must be under the gel coat. This stands for “Department of Transportation,” (not “doin’ our thang”) but the standard is FMVSS 218, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #218, Motorcycle Helmets, and it is applicable to helmets sold in the U.S. for on-road use.
S5.6 Labeling:
S5.6.1 Each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly, in a manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without removing padding or any other permanent part, with the following:
(a) Manufacturer's name or identification.
(b) Precise model designation.
(c) Size.
(d) Month and year of manufacture. This may be spelled out (for example, June 1988), or expressed in numerals (for example, 6/88).
(e) The symbol DOT, constituting the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This symbol shall appear on the outer surface, in a color that contrasts with the background, in letters at least 3/8 inch (1 cm) high, centered laterally with the horizontal centerline of the symbol located a minimum of 1 1/8 inches (2.9 cm) and a maximum of 1 3/8 inches (3.5 cm) from the bottom edge of the posterior portion of the helmet.
(f) Instructions to the purchaser as follows:
(1) 'Shell and liner constructed of (identify type(s) of materials).
(2) 'Helmet can be seriously damaged by some common substances without damage being visible to the user. Apply only the following: (Recommended cleaning agents, paints, adhesives, etc., as appropriate).
(3) 'Make no modifications. Fasten helmet securely. If helmet experiences a severe blow, return it to the manufacturer for inspection, or destory it and replace it.
(4) 'Any additional relevant safety information should be applied at the time of purchase by means of an attached tag, brochure, or other suitable means.
So if you get pulled over for a helmet inspection, the DOT sticker is only an indicator not a certification. The REAL sticker should be inside the helmet and should contain all the items of A through D. That's what the cop should be looking for.
S5.6 Labeling:
S5.6.1 Each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly, in a manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without removing padding or any other permanent part, with the following:
(a) Manufacturer's name or identification.
(b) Precise model designation.
(c) Size.
(d) Month and year of manufacture. This may be spelled out (for example, June 1988), or expressed in numerals (for example, 6/88).
(e) The symbol DOT, constituting the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This symbol shall appear on the outer surface, in a color that contrasts with the background, in letters at least 3/8 inch (1 cm) high, centered laterally with the horizontal centerline of the symbol located a minimum of 1 1/8 inches (2.9 cm) and a maximum of 1 3/8 inches (3.5 cm) from the bottom edge of the posterior portion of the helmet.
(f) Instructions to the purchaser as follows:
(1) 'Shell and liner constructed of (identify type(s) of materials).
(2) 'Helmet can be seriously damaged by some common substances without damage being visible to the user. Apply only the following: (Recommended cleaning agents, paints, adhesives, etc., as appropriate).
(3) 'Make no modifications. Fasten helmet securely. If helmet experiences a severe blow, return it to the manufacturer for inspection, or destory it and replace it.
(4) 'Any additional relevant safety information should be applied at the time of purchase by means of an attached tag, brochure, or other suitable means.
So if you get pulled over for a helmet inspection, the DOT sticker is only an indicator not a certification. The REAL sticker should be inside the helmet and should contain all the items of A through D. That's what the cop should be looking for.
Last edited by Juan L; Jun 9, 2014 at 07:02 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
I dunno, I get the feeling you're a bit paranoid. If a cop wanted to park in front of my house all day long I'd make the guy a sandwich. By the way I've had my driver's license since for 37 years, driven in 34 countries of the world, logged thousands upon thousands of miles in cars and bikes and I can say with TWO exceptions, I have never been screwed with. One was a speed trap in Waldo, FL (Google that one) and another was from a crooked sheriff in South Texas. Other than that, unless you make yourself a target why would the cops have any reason to stop you?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
Guess I'm damn lucky I didn't get hauled off in Oregon, California, and Nevada for my stickered helmet....
I call B.S. on the gel coat thing. Too many leather wrapped and flat finishes for that to work. It was proposed but I'm guessing never passed.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 107,687
Likes: 20,116
From: Ft. Worth, TX
So the DOT sticker that is on my brand new helmet is NOT DOT complaint ?? Odd...very odd.
Guess I'm damn lucky I didn't get hauled off in Oregon, California, and Nevada for my stickered helmet....
I call B.S. on the gel coat thing. Too many leather wrapped and flat finishes for that to work. It was proposed but I'm guessing never passed.
Guess I'm damn lucky I didn't get hauled off in Oregon, California, and Nevada for my stickered helmet....
I call B.S. on the gel coat thing. Too many leather wrapped and flat finishes for that to work. It was proposed but I'm guessing never passed.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
Yes you can get stickers that say DOT. Heck, you could do it pretty easily at home. I saw an old boy once riding with a helmet that was obviously a bicycle helmet, it had a DOT sticker on it....funny stuff!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID