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  Helping Learner Drivers

Helping L Riders : The Correct Equipment

Before You Begin

It is important to ensure that your learner is kitted out correctly, with the right clothing and equipment.

Helmet

When riding on the road, your learner must wear a motorcycle helmet that fits properly and is correctly fastened. This will reduce the risk of receiving head or brain injuries in a crash.

Helmets must comply with either the British Standard BS 6658: 1985 and carry the BSI kitemark (or a European standard that offers an equivalent level of safety) or UN/ECE Regulation 22-05.

It is important that the helmet fits the rider snugly and does not move about on their head . It is well worth taking the time to find the right helmet.

A helmet that has been involved in an impact should be replaced, even if there is no visible damage, and do not buy a second hand helmet as you cannot be sure about its history.

Visors and Goggles
If the learner uses an open-faced helmet, a visor or goggles are vital to protect his or her eyes from wind, rain, insects and road dirt. If the rider normally wears glasses or contact lenses they must wear them when riding. Visor and goggles must be kept clean, and if they become heavily scratched, they should be replaced.

Visors and goggles must comply with one of the British Standard below and display a BSI kitemark or comply with a European standard that offers an equivalent level of safety. The British Standards are BS 4110 Grade X, BS 4110 Grade XA, BS 4110 Grade YA or BS 4110 Grade ZA

Riders should not wear tinted glasses, visors or goggles if riding in the dark or conditions of poor visibility.

Clothing

Good motorcycle clothing will protect the learner from the wet and cold and from some types of injury.

When choosing clothing look for abrasion resistant materials, such as Gortex, leather or kevlar and padding or body armour to protect from impact injuries. Fluorescent and reflective garments will make it much easier for drivers to see them. Waterproof and thermal clothing are very useful extras - riders who are warm and dry are much more alert.

For the fashion conscious rider, there are suppliers of 'trendy' protective clothing.

Good gloves or gauntlets are essential when riding a motorcycle. They protect the rider's hands from cold, wet weather, and from injury if they fall off, and allow the rider to operate the controls easily.

It is equally important to wear good boots or strong footwear which cover the ankle when riding.

All motorcycle clothing which claims to offer protection from injury must have a CE mark.

Detailed advice on helmets and protective clothing is available in good motorcycling books, such as DSA's "The Official Motorcycling Manual" which can be purchased online from the DSA website or from good bookshops.