TL;DR: Motorcycle CE ratings and UKCA marks are gradings for garments and armour. For garments, look for EN 17092 classes (AAA, AA, or A) to assess their abrasion resistance. For armor, look for EN 1621 (Level 1 or 2) to understand the level of  impact protection.

Too many riders unknowingly invest in gear that offers little to no real-world protection, often because they don’t understand the rigorous testing standards behind genuinely safe equipment. Aesthetics and brand reputation are one thing, but when it comes to safeguarding your skin and bones, you need more than just style.

With countless brands, styles, and price points, how can you be sure that sleek leather jacket will actually protect you when it matters most? And what’s the difference between CE and UKCA marks? Real world protection can be hard to spot.

To get the gear that actually performs when it matters most, you need to look past the marketing and decode the technical labels. In this guide, we strip away the jargon so you know:

• The difference between CE and UKCA marks.
• Why AAA-rated gear is the gold standard for road riders.
• How to spot the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 impact armor.
• Why your choice of gear could determine whether you’re allowed to take your DVSA motorcycle test.

What are Motorcycle CE Ratings and UKCA Marks?

At their heart, CE ratings create an easy way for you to identify if an item meets specific European health, safety, and environmental protection standards. ‘CE’ stands for ‘Conformité Européenne’, which literally translates to ‘European Conformity’.

Since Brexit, we’re phasing out CE ratings and replacing them with UKCA marks. It essentially denotes the same level of protection, and a lot of manufacturers use both side by side so they can satisfy European and British markets.

These safety standards for motorcycle gear are globally recognised as the benchmark for genuine protective equipment. Whether it’s the CE mark or the UKCA rating you see (or both) the gear has been through the exact same standard of independent testing. It complies with UK and EU directives for protective qualities. That’s why they’re so important for riders. You should check them before you buy, just like you check your bike before you ride.

Decoding the EN 17092 standard: AAA vs AA rated motorcycle gear

If you’re looking for a simple ‘CE Approved’ stamp, you won’t find it. Motorcycle CE ratings are just the beginning. Different levels within the rating system show how garments perform in a slide. Look for the EN 17092 standard followed by a letter grade.

You’re not alone if you think an ‘A’ rating is the highest grade—like a school report. But the opposite is true when it comes to motorcycle CE ratings. The more letters, the higher the abrasion resistance.

Which class of motorcycle gear do you need?

• Class AAA: The top standard for protection. These garments are designed for the highest speeds (think track days and fast motorway riding). You’ll get the longest slide times.
• Class AA: The all-rounder choice. Most high-quality touring gear and daily-commute jackets fall here. AA class balances high abrasion resistance with the flexibility needed for long days in the saddle.
• Class A: The urban baseline. If you’re a London courier only doing low-speed urban riding, this is good enough. Class A provides essential defense, but has less material burst strength than AA or AAA.
• Class B & C: These are just specialty items. Class B provides abrasion resistance only making it great for layering. Class C garments are designed only for holding armour in place; they don’t offer slide protection.

Don’t assume leather is safer than textiles either. High-end leathers are usually AAA class. Modern technical textile jackets with a AAA or AA rating offer significantly better protection than cheap, non-rated fashion leather jackets.

Ratings indicate how the material performs under specific lab conditions (like the Darmstadt test and government regulated safety testing), but they don’t give you a guaranteed slide-speed. That said, higher ratings mean the seams are less likely to burst and the fabric will take longer to wear through to your skin.

Impact protection: Level 2 vs Level 1 armour 

AAA, AA and A ratings linked to EN 17092 measure a garment’s ability to withstand a slide. It’s the EN 1621 standard that measures how well the pads inside protect you from impact.

A Class AAA jacket doesn’t automatically have the best armour. High-end AAA racing jackets can sometimes come with thinner Level 1 pads for better movement, whereas an AA touring jacket might be fitted with thicker Level 2 protection.

The difference in impact absorption

The main difference between Level 2 armour vs Level 1 is the amount of force it absorbs or distributes away from your body  during a crash. To pass the test, armour is hit with a 5kg weight, and the energy that passes through the pad is measured in kilonewtons (kN).

• Level 1: This is the standard baseline. It allows a maximum of 35kN of force to reach your body. It’s typically thinner, lighter, and more flexible—great for casual riding or hot weather.
• Level 2: This offers significantly higher protection. It only allows a maximum of 20kN of force to reach you. It is usually thicker and denser. It absorbs nearly twice as much energy as Level 1. Level 2 is the top standard for protecting against spinal injuries, which is vital. If the worst does happen, knowing what to do could save a life and someone’s mobility; check our guide on what to do in an accident. 

Specific armour standards: EN 1621-1 and EN 1621-2

When checking the labels on your pads, you will see two main variations:

• EN 1621-1 (Limb Protectors): This covers your shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
• EN 1621-2 (Back Protectors): Because your spine is so critical, these tests are more stringent. Like limb armour, these come in Level 1 and Level 2, with Level 2 being the best for reducing the risk of spinal injury.

Coverage area: type A vs. type B

You might also see a ‘Type’ letter (A or B) on the label. This has nothing to do with the protection level, it indicates the physical size of the pad:

• Type A: Smaller coverage, often found in “Junior” or small-sized gear.
• Type B: Standard larger coverage area, found in most adult motorcycle garments.

Buying Advice: Where possible, we recommend upgrading to Level 2 armour, especially for your back protector. It might feel slightly bulkier but the difference in energy absorption during an impact is substantial.

Gloves, boots and helmets

Your hands, feet, and head are the most vulnerable in a spill. These items have their own specific testing standards to ensure they can handle the unique stresses of a motorcycle accident.

Glove Protection (EN 13594)

Motorcycle gloves are vital for protecting the complex bones in your hands and wrists. Under the EN 13594 standard, you’ll see two levels:

• Level 1: Offers a solid baseline of protection for general riding.
• Level 2: Provides a higher level of impact and abrasion protection, typically found in race-spec or high-performance touring gloves.
• Look for “KP”: This stands for Knuckle Protection. If you see this on the label, it means the glove has passed additional impact tests for knuckles.

Boot Protection (EN 13634)

Motorcycle boots are designed to prevent crush injuries and severe twists. They adhere to the EN 13634 standard. Like gloves, they are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. Level 2 boots offer enhanced transversal rigidity. That’s just a fancy way of saying they are much harder to crush side-to-side if the bike lands on your foot.

The Helmet Standard: ECE 22.06 vs. DOT

Helmets are a special category. Unlike other gear, wearing a certified helmet is a legal requirement in the UK. DOT-approved helmets aren’t legal in the UK.

DOT is a US-based standard that relies on self-certification by manufacturers. To ride legally on UK roads, helmets must meet the ECE 22.05 or the newer ECE 22.06 standard (look for the “E” mark on the strap).

• ECE 22.06: This is the latest, most rigorous version of the standard. It includes tests for rotational brain injury and impact testing at more points on the helmet shell than previous versions.
• SHARP Ratings: In the UK, we also have the SHARP rating system. This is a government-backed test that gives helmets a star rating (1 to 5) to help you compare the safety of different ECE-approved helmets. Understanding SHARP motorcycle helmet ratings will help you get the best protection at the best price.

Before you buy

Check for these labels and additional info before purchasing gloves, boots or helmets in the UK

• The “E” label: On helmets, look for a circle containing the letter ‘E’ followed by a number (e.g., E11 for the UK).
• The Booklet: Every piece of CE or UKCA gear must come with an information booklet explaining exactly what it was tested for. If it’s missing, be wary.

Gear for training and the DVSA licence test

Many riders think their CE-rated gear is fine for training and tests. In some cases, it is. But be wary of the DVSA’s specific requirements for what constitutes suitable clothing for a test.

You can’t wear just any old CE rated clothing for your motorcycle tests. Your gear must be appropriate for the environment. For example, wearing “Class C” mesh armour without an abrasion layer or flimsy armoured hoodies could see you turned away from an exam.

DVSA examiners have the right to cancel your test if they feel your clothing doesn’t provide enough protection—and you’ll lose your fee. That’s one of the reasons we provide all of the kit you need for training and taking your licence test. You just need to make sure you wear sturdy boots for training and on test day.

Why standards matter for your licence

During your CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), you’re learning the fundamentals at lower speeds. As you progress to DAS (Direct Access Scheme) or Advanced Training, the speeds increase. At Phoenix, we insist you wear:

• Boots: Sturdy footwear that provides ankle protection (no trainers or canvas shoes).
• Trousers: Heavy-duty motorcycle trousers (Class AA) are preferred. Shorts, skirts and light trousers or tracksuits aren’t acceptable.
• Jackets: We provide proper protective jackets with at least Level 1 armour in the elbows and shoulders.

If you are aiming for your full licence, investing in AA or AAA gear ensures you’re protected for the higher-speed road riding you’ll be doing as a qualified rider. Students who train with us get access to motorcycle gear discount codes to make purchasing the best gear more affordable.

Skills to match your kit

The best helmet and the highest-rated AAA leathers are your second line of defence. Your first line is your riding ability and roadcraft. High-quality gear should be matched with high-quality training to keep you safe on the road.Ready to take the next step? Find out how long it takes to get a motorcycle licence.

FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Motorcycle Gear Safety Questions

Ready for road riding?

Now that you’re clear on your motorcycle CE ratings, it’s time to put your knowledge and gear to use. Whether you are a total beginner looking for the best motorcycle training in London or an experienced rider wanting to boost your skills with advanced motorcycle training our expert instructors are standing by to help you on your way. Book your motorcycle training with us today!