RAC helmet

A RAC helmet refers to a type of protective headgear originally approved and often associated with the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), a British motoring organisation. Historically, the RAC played a significant role in promoting road safety and setting standards for automotive equipment, including helmets for motorsport participants and, more broadly, motorcycle and vehicle users. While the RAC itself no longer directly certifies or manufactures helmets, the term "RAC helmet" often evokes a vintage style of helmet, typically an open-face design, popular in the mid-20th century. These helmets, while offering some protection, generally did not meet the safety standards of modern, full-face helmets. The term may also be used colloquially to refer to helmets that aesthetically resemble older designs reminiscent of those once endorsed or associated with the RAC's safety initiatives.