Helmets play a critical role in ensuring your safety when racing. To guarantee protection, it’s essential to understand the range of helmet standards so you know what to look for when deciding to buy or upgrade your helmet.
In this blog, we dive into the intricacies of FIA and Snell helmet standards, providing details about the different standards, where they can be found, what they are suitable for and the individual helmet expiry dates. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of what you need to know to keep your head safe while racing.
In the world of helmet safety, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Snell Memorial Foundation, are the main 2 organisations which set the bar for safety by creating rigorous helmet standards, going through multiple tests to test how well the helmets perform in the event of an accident.
All information is correct as of October 2023.
How To Check Helmet Standard
Firstly, the standard of approval can be found inside the helmet, around the crown of the lining, often just tucked underneath the padding/lining. Some helmets may carry 2 standards. These are dual standard which will be both an FIA & Snell standard. In this instance the FIA standard is the overruling standard and carries more weight in International/national motorsport.
The FIA homologation 8859-2015 is the current ‘Premium Helmet’ approval, which is the less strict of the FIA approvals. It certifies helmets for use in motorsport with HANS/FHR use. This approval is one of the most used standards in UK and Europe as HANS/FHR use is mandatory, and at the time of writing this, has no expiry date*
Further to the FIA’s 8859-2015 standard, there are higher levels of approval that fall within the ‘Advanced Helmets’ standards. They are FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018ABP (Advanced Ballistic Protection). They are the most stringent helmet standards in the world, in terms of impact energy absorption, sharp objects penetration and HANS/FHR testing.
The full face helmets that are FIA 8860-2018ABP approved have a noticeably smaller eye port to increase the strength of the helmet. Currently the 8860-2018ABP standard is only required in Formula 1, F2, F3 and Formula E, due to open cockpit nature of competition, the ABP standard will feed into other FIA championships year on year.
Championships like WRC and WEC do not require the ABP standard, but 8860-2018 does have to be used. It is worth noting that despite the fact the 8860-2010 standard expires at the end of 2028, it cannot be used in certain disciplines, including WRC and WEC.
Current Helmet Standards and Validity
To simplify, below is a list compiled from the FIA’s technical list No.25 that recognises all the current helmet standards in the market today, along with their validity in international motorsport.
Circuit Racing Helmet Standards
| Standard Used | Validity | To be used with FHR | To be used without FHR |
| FIA 8860-2018 | No Expiry | Yes | Yes |
| FIA 8860-2018 ABP | No Expiry | Yes | Yes |
| FIA 8860-2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2028 | Yes | Yes |
| FIA 8860-2010 & Snell SA2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2028 | Yes | Yes |
| FIA 8859-2015 | No Expiry | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SA2020 & FIA 8859-2015 | No Expiry | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SA2015 & FIA 8859-2015 | No Expiry | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SA2010 & FIA 8858-2002 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SA2010 & FIA 8858-2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SAH2010 & FIA 8858-2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | Yes | Yes |
| Snell SA2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | No | Yes |
| Snell SAH 2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | No | Yes |
| Snell SA2015 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 | No | Yes |
| FIA 8860-2004 | Not Valid After 31.12.2020 | Yes | Yes |
Further to the above list of current helmets, Snell SA2005 standards or older have now expired and are no longer suitable for any International/National Motorsport that require a suitable safety standard. Likewise, SFI and British standard approvals have also expired many years ago and are not suitable for competition use.
Please also be aware that the governing body for National motorsport in the UK (Motorsport UK) maybe more lenient on expiry dates of certain helmet standards, so if you’re unsure please review the competitor’s safety section in the current Motorsport UK blue book for clarification.
Karting Helmet Standards
For Karting, all standards above can be used (so long as they haven’t expired!), plus the following karting specific standards:
| Standard Used | Validity |
| Snell-FIA CMR2016 | No Expiry |
| Snell-FIA K2015 | No Expiry |
| Snell K2020 | No Expiry |
| Snell-FIA CMS2016 | No Expiry |
| Snell-FIA CMR2007 | No Expiry |
| Snell-K2010 | Not Valid After 31.12.2023 |
We stock all models from Bell, Arai, Stilo, Sparco and OMP, giving you an endless choice, covering all budgets and approvals!
FAQ’s
Which helmet do I need?
With so many regulations and standards it can be tricky to know which you need. The first thing to do is consider the type of events your doing, this will narrow down on which helmet to choose. Secondly, check with your event organiser on the standard of helmet required as they can differ. Any helmet with the FIA 8859-2015 standard inside will be suitable for the majority of national motorsport, unless the higher FIA 8860 standard is stipulated as a requirement. These are only generally required for FIA sanctioned series’ which are at the highest level of motorsport.
What happens if my new helmet from Demon Tweeks doesn’t fit?
If you are getting into motorsport for the first time or have always had helmets which don’t fit perfectly well, you will know the discomfort. This can hamper the protection it offers and your race as you aren’t totally comfortable in the car or kart. There are a few steps to get a helmet which is the perfect fit, but don’t worry if you pick the wrong size as we can arrange a collection and exchange it.
Will my helmet last longer if it is Snell SA2020 rather than Snell SA2015 if both helmets also have the FIA 8859-2015 approval?
No. The Snell SA2015 or SA2020 standard only really has relevance in the USA. The FIA 8859-2015 approval overrules the Snell approval for national and the large majority of international motorsport today. In fact, several manufacturers today produce their helmets with just the one FIA 8859-2015 safety standard.
Can I fit HANS/FHR posts myself to my current, but in date helmet?
You can, providing the helmet has not expired and has pre-threaded inserts to fit the posts. The FHR posts and tethers on your HANS device have the same homologation of FIA 8858-2010. DO NOT drill an older helmet to fit HANS posts, this can be very dangerous.
Can I use an ECE approved helmet for motorsport?
No, these helmets are not approved for motorsport use. They are okay to use on track days or arrive and drive rental karting.
Information in this blog was correct at the time of publishing – October 2023
If you are still unsure about anything to do with race and kart helmets, feel free to give our experienced sales team a call, who will be happy to assist.
Enjoyed this? Read more of our latest news:
- Your Guide to Choosing a Racing Helmet
- Helmet Fitting Guide
- Step By Step Guide To Get A Motorsport Licence
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