I have been told that while Snell does random testing as Abhimanyu pointed out, DOT doesn't do that. Someone please comment on this.

It is not so easy. First of all, as a standard procedure DOT, SNELL and ECE (for that matter even ISI and other testing bodies) all carry out independent testing periodically by picking up samples of helmets from the market to check them for compliance (not asking the helmet manufacture to provide them or giving any intimation to them about the testing). Any helmets that fails are immediately brought to the manufacturers notice and are listed as helmets that have failed testing on their respective website. Also all these testing bodies come out with a annual report on which helmets fared how well. It make for some very interesting reading.

And yes many helmets have over the years failed these independent test after having achieved certification.

Secondly, the question of how do you know if a helmet is genuinely certified by any of these standards body? All you need to do is go to the respective standards body's website and the list of helmets that have passed the tests and approved is provided there. It just a matter of some homework to be done before you select your helmet (which unfortunately many don't do).

Also would like to point out that its individual helmets that are certified and not the manufacturer as a whole by these standards bodies.

The bottom line is legislation or no legislation, if you value safety, then be prepared to do some homework on the equipment you need to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

Just one clarification on this: While IS:4151 is a sticker on the helmet, DOT is written beneath the outer lamination and thus, cannot be tampered.

+1
And stop assuming that the popular jazzy looking helmets like the cross, Ls2 etc have valid DOT certificates.

don't mock our country's ISI standards, its better to have something rather than nothing.

only thing is these need to be revised timely.

Just one clarification on this: While IS:4151 is a sticker on the helmet, DOT is written beneath the outer lamination and thus, cannot be tampered.

DOT/ECE standards are printed in the Liner or as a sticker on the inner shell too.


I have been told that while Snell does random testing as Abhimanyu pointed out, DOT doesn't do that. Someone please comment on this.
Yes,SNELL randomly picks helmets of the stores shelf to test.SNELL testing costs A LOT more too,hence only High-End helmets are tested for SNELL standards.A mid/Low end helmet from a reputed brand which is only ECE/DOT certified can also usually pass a SNELL test.

I have a LS2 dream. Not a vega branded. So no ISI logo. In fact, no logo of any sorts :/. Something like LS2 Dream Helmets

I paid a 110 INR fine last week.. Helmet : Daijya g-fit awake.. it was exciting.. I told the cop that this thing cost's more than every1's helmet (the 10-15 ppl that were paying the fine with me for wearing cricket helmet's i.e. ) moral - no more stopping @ nakabandi for cop paper check.. I'm not paying 2$'s again n again lol ~_~

I paid a 110 INR fine last week.. Helmet : Daijya g-fit awake.. it was exciting.. I told the cop that this thing cost's more than every1's helmet (the 10-15 ppl that were paying the fine with me for wearing cricket helmet's i.e. ) moral - no more stopping @ nakabandi for cop paper check.. I'm not paying 2$'s again n again lol ~_~

Where did you get fined? Under the JJ flyover or are they checking at other places too?

Under the JJ flyover there are no checks, no signals, no nothing (.... in fact, haven't seen checking there for quite some time now). Now a days there isn't even a cop on the flyover to stop bikes.. just his bike parked behind the barricade.