ECE 22.06 vs DOT (FMVSS 218): test speeds, rotational testing, who certifies, and which helmets carry both

ECE 22.06 and DOT answer different questions. ECE 22.06 (UN Regulation No. 22, 06 series) is a type approval that tests impacts at up to 8.2 m/s and, since the 06 series, includes an oblique impact that limits rotational acceleration. DOT (FMVSS 218) is the US federal standard: a helmet is certified by its manufacturer against impacts at 5.0 to 6.2 m/s, a penetration test and a retention test, with no rotational test. Neither is simply stricter: the standards use different headforms, anvils and pass lines. In ALLR's catalog, 2,351 complete helmet pages state both labels, 4,761 state 22.06 without DOT and 1,816 state DOT with no ECE series (ALLR data, 2026-10-24, spare parts excluded). Below are the tests, the labels, and how to choose.

The two standards side by side

The pass lines illustrate why speed tables mislead. DOT permits a peak of 400 g but caps how long the helmet may exceed 200 g and 150 g; ECE sets 275 g together with a HIC limit. They are measured on different headforms against different anvils at different speeds, so "400 vs 275" is not a ranking. What the table does show is which risks each standard checks for: DOT checks that a helmet will not be penetrated and will stay on; ECE 22.06 checks, in addition, that a glancing blow does not put too much rotation through the head.

How DOT testing works

FMVSS 218 applies, in its words, to all helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. Impact attenuation uses four sites with two successive impacts at each, two on the flat anvil and two on the hemispherical one, with the helmet conditioned at ambient, cold (−15 to −5 °C), hot (45 to 55 °C) and after water immersion. The retention test applies a 50 lb preliminary load and then 250 lb for two minutes. The label states the maker's name, model and the words "FMVSS No. 218" and "CERTIFIED" under the DOT symbol on the outside of the shell, which is the manufacturer's certification (S5.6.2). Nothing in the text requires a rotational or oblique test.

How ECE 22.06 testing works

The 06 series adds to the 7.5 m/s test it inherited. A helmet must pass flat and kerbstone impacts at 7.5 m/s, a flat-anvil impact at 8.2 m/s, a 6.0 m/s low-energy impact, a chin-bar impact at 6.0 m/s (para 7.3.1.4), at least three extra points, and the oblique test. The approval is granted to a helmet type, and the sewn label carries the E-mark, an approval number starting 06 and a production serial number. For the label in detail see how to check a helmet is ECE 22.06 certified, and for the change from the older series see ECE 22.05 vs 22.06.

Which helmets carry which (ALLR data, 2026-10-24)

Dual-labelled pages are led by HJC (457), Bell (177), Fox (171), Shoei (118), ICON (112), LS2 (111) and Leatt (93). Examples are the Shoei RF-1400notifications_active, AGV K6 Snotifications_active, HJC C10notifications_active and Arai Quantum-Xnotifications_active. Helmets stated as 22.06 without DOT are mostly European brands: Nolan (619), Shark (456), HJC (455), LS2 (438) and Scorpion (213), such as the Nolan N60-6 Sportnotifications_active. DOT with no ECE series is led by HJC (487), Bell (140), Scorpion (128), GMAX (117), Shoei (104) and Arai (87), for example the Arai Contour-Xnotifications_active, the Biltwell Bonanzanotifications_active and the Bell Qualifier DLX Mipsnotifications_active. A model can ship with different labels by region, and retailers often describe one regional version for the whole listing, so read the label on the helmet you receive.

The medians show that a second label tracks a price tier, not a safety tier: dual-labelled pages (CA$489) cost more than 22.06-only pages (CA$393). Stated labels are what retailer pages say; they are not verified on the helmet.

One row moved sharply, and it is a coverage effect. On 2026-10-23 this guide counted 984 DOT-only pages with a median of CA$280, the cheapest group; a day later the count is 1,816 and the median CA$459. US helmet retailers were added to the catalogue on 23 and 24 October, and DOT is the label US stores print. Splitting the 1,816 by when each page was last updated: the 877 updated on or after 2026-10-23 have a median lowest landed price of CA$580, and the 939 not updated since have CA$274, close to the earlier CA$280. So the DOT-only figures describe which stores we track as much as the helmet market, and they may move again as stores are added.

How to choose

About these figures

Catalog figures are a dated snapshot (2026-10-24) of the public API, spare parts excluded; live numbers are on the helmets catalog and the method is on the methodology page. The comparison of ECE with Snell M2025 is in ECE 22.06 vs Snell M2025; the all-label overview is helmet certifications decoded. For the full buying sequence, start at the buyer's guide hub.