Department of Transportation Certification

What is the importance of DOT certification?

With all of the new windshield manufacturers coming into the market today, it is important for you, the rider, to have some level of comfort knowing that these companies are using quality materials that comply with established safety standards set and revised within the USA for more than 80 years.  Just like helmets, the material used to manufacture motorcycle windshields is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) certification.  One of the first steps we took when starting our business was finding the correct plastic that met not only American National Standard institute’s requirements for Safety Glazing Materials but followed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requirements for Motorcycle manufacturers. Upon finding a supplier for the high quality material we researched, we then applied for a DOT number to validate our choices. This assures you, the motorcyclist, that we are using plastic that complies with the many tests conducted to measure the safety of the material.

Tests conducted include:

Light transmittance: the % of light that will be allowed through the material to determine clarity

Fracturing: used to verify that the fragments produced by fracture of the material to minimize the risk of injury

Impact: (variable Temperature Ball Drop) used to determine the behavior of the material when impacted by a small hard object at high and low temperatures

Simulated Weathering: used to determine whether the material will withstand exposure to simulated weathering conditions over an extended period of time

Abrasion resistance: used to determine whether the surface of the material mounted on the vehicle has a certain minimum resistance to abrasion

Flexibility: to determine whether the plastic has satisfactory flexibility

Chemical resistance: Stressed (formed) to determine whether a formed transparent plastic has a certain minimum resistance to chemicals which are likely to be used for cleaning purposes in motor vehicle service

Standard No. 205 – Glazing Materials – Passenger Cars, Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, Trucks, Buses, Motorcycles, Slide-In Campers, and Pickup Covers [designed to carry persons while in motion] (Effective 1-1-68)
This standard specifies requirements for glazing materials for use in motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment for the purpose of reducing injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces. The purpose of this standard is to ensure a necessary degree of transparency in motor vehicle windows for driver visibility, and to minimize the possibility of occupants being thrown through the vehicle windows in collisions.

Part 566 – Manufacturer Identification
(Effective 2-1-72)
This part requires manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment (except tires) to which a motor vehicle safety standard applies to submit identifying information and descriptions of the items they produce to the Department of Transportation. Revised information is also required when necessary to keep the entry current.

 

We have had many a supplier try to sell us cheaper, low quality material with the idea of helping our bottom line, but we will never compromise quality for price.  A DOT number not only assures you, the rider, that we only use the best material but is a statement from Clearview Shields, the manufacturer, that we will not compete on price to bring you substandard products.

Does your present screen have a DOT number stamped on it?

To check for listed DOT Manufacturers worldwide go to http://www.glassbytes.com/dot/

 

Craig Stenger

President

Clearview  Shields