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HelmetNetherlands

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Netherlands

170. Helmet

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries during a collision or fall. Different types of helmets are designed for motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and other activities and may be subject to specific safety standards.

Whether wearing a helmet is compulsory depends on the country, vehicle category, rider and sometimes age. A helmet should be suitable for its intended use, correctly fitted and securely worn so that it can provide the protection for which it was designed.

Helmet
Person wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Wikimedia.org • Stefania Anghelea • CC BY-SA
What is a helmet?

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injury if a rider falls or is involved in a collision.

Who should wear a helmet?

Helmet requirements depend on the vehicle and local traffic law. Motorcyclists and moped riders commonly have compulsory helmet requirements, while bicycle rules vary between countries.

Is a motorcycle helmet the same as a bicycle helmet?

No. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are designed and tested for different conditions and are subject to different safety standards. Use a helmet approved for the type of vehicle concerned.

Should a passenger also wear a helmet?

Yes, where required. Passengers on motorcycles, mopeds and certain other vehicles are generally exposed to the same head-injury risks as the rider and may be subject to the same helmet requirement.

How should a helmet fit?

A helmet should fit securely and comfortably without excessive movement. It should be worn and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Can you use a damaged helmet?

A helmet that has suffered a significant impact or has visible structural damage may no longer provide its intended protection and should normally be inspected or replaced.

Can any helmet be used on a motorcycle?

No. Where motorcycle helmets are regulated, the helmet must comply with the applicable approval or safety standard. A recreational or ordinary bicycle helmet is generally not an acceptable substitute.

Are bicycle helmets compulsory everywhere?

No. Some countries require helmets for all cyclists, others only for particular age groups or types of bicycle, and some recommend them without making them compulsory.

Do speed pedelecs require a special helmet?

They may. Because speed pedelecs can travel considerably faster than ordinary bicycles, some countries require an approved moped helmet or a bicycle helmet satisfying additional requirements.

Does wearing a helmet replace safe riding?

No. A helmet provides additional protection but does not replace safe speed, observation, correct road position, appropriate clothing or compliance with traffic rules.

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ... 101 Recreational vehicle 102 Scooter 103 Trikke 104 Personal mobility device 105 Skateboard 106 Segway 107 Kick scooter 108 Roller skates 109 Mailman 110 Hitchhiker 111 Toddler 112 Child 113 Disability 114 Livestock 115 Motorail 116 Street sweeper 117 Parking violation 118 km/h 119 mph 120 Speedometer 121 National speed 122 Speed cushion 123 Ride height 124 Dirt road 125 Driving 126 Start-stop system 127 Manual transmission 128 Automatic transmission 129 Throttle 130 Tachometer 131 Steering wheel 132 Power steering 133 Visual scanning 134 Mirror 135 Fuel 136 Fuel gauge 137 Petrol 138 Diesel 139 Diesel exhaust fluid 140 Car insurance 141 First aid kit 142 Fire extinguisher 143 High-visibility clothing 144 First aid 145 Concrete step barrier 146 Bollards 147 Barriers 148 Residents card 149 Vehicle lights 150 Street lights 151 Dipped beam 152 High beam 153 Fog lights 154 Front fog lights 155 Rear fog lights 156 Side lights 157 Turn signals 158 Hazard lights 159 Dashboard lights 160 Bicycle lighting 161 Bicycle bell 162 Headlight flashing 163 Seat belt 164 Child restraints 165 Head restraints 166 Airbag 167 ABS 168 Esp 169 Traction control system 170 Helmet 171 Bicycle helmet 172 Hands-free 173 Smartphone 174 GPS 175 Brake 176 Handbrake 177 Brake fluid 178 Tyres 179 Tyre code 180 Winter tyres 181 Tyre pressure 182 Snow chains 183 Bicycle tyre 184 Continuous track 185 Gross Vehicle Weight 186 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 187 Cargo 188 Car body 189 Trunk 190 Roof rack 191 Windscreen 192 Emergency hammer 193 Car battery 194 Traction battery 195 Suspension 196 Shock absorber 197 Spring 198 Exhaust 199 Exhaust gas 200 Soot 201 Catalytic converter 202 Engine 203 Petrol engine 204 Diesel engine 205 Electric motor 206 Timing belt 207 Glow plug 208 Cylinder 209 Engine oil 210 Coolant 211 Maintenance 212 Spare tyre 213 Flat tyre 214 Jack 215 Vehicle inspection 216 Key 217 Dashboard 218 Windscreen wiper 219 Doors 220 Glovebox 221 Visibility 222 Rain 223 Fog 224 Hail 225 Sunlight 226 Sunglasses 227 Salt 228 Air conditioning 229 Hydroplaning 230 Distraction 231 Emotions 232 Road rage 233 Health 234 Epilepsy 235 Night blindness 236 Visual impairment 237 Fatigue 238 Defects 239 Traffic violation 240 Alcohol 241 Alcohol control 242 Ignition interlock device 243 Breath test 244 Breath analysis 245 Blood alcohol content 246 Blood test 247 Saliva test 248 Drugs 249 Medication 250 Penalties 251 Speeding 252 Smoking 253 Traffic enforcement camera 254 Double curve 255 Accident 256 Injuries 257 Nosebleed 258 Damage 259 Breakdown 260 Warning triangle 261 Traffic rules 262 Driving school 263 Traffic signs