Rider Equipment and Protective Gear
What the exam tests
Rider equipment questions cover legal minimums and the protection that actually reduces injury. The exam expects you to know what is compulsory in Norway and what is strongly recommended.
Legal and practical requirements
- A motorcycle helmet is compulsory for rider and pillion passenger. It must be approved (look for ECE 22.05 or 22.06) and fastened correctly.
- Eye protection is required if the helmet has no visor; a scratched or tinted visor must still let you see in the dark.
- Protective clothing is not legally mandatory in Norway, but gloves, an armoured jacket and trousers, boots and a back protector sharply reduce abrasion and impact injuries.
- High-visibility or reflective elements help in low light; Norwegian daylight and weather make visibility a safety item, not a fashion choice.
- Earplugs reduce wind noise and fatigue; they must not block sirens or traffic sounds completely.
Fit matters
A helmet should sit firmly with the chin strap snug under the jaw; it must not roll forward over the eyes or lift off the back. Armour should stay in place in a fall, not slide around. Gloves need feel for the controls but coverage over the wrist.
Worked example
A rider buys a used helmet with no known history and a loose strap. Correct decision: do not use it. An unknown impact can leave hidden structural damage, and a loose strap lets the helmet come off in a crash. Replace it with a correctly fitted approved helmet.
Traps
Believing an expensive helmet is safe after a drop; wearing a tinted visor at night; choosing gloves without wrist coverage; treating a back protector as optional for short trips.