The Hells Angels is one of the most well-known biker clubs in the world, and it all started with a group of motorcyclists in Fontana, California. Founded in 1948, the Hells Angels now has hundreds of international charters.
But if you want to be a part of the Hells Angels, you have to follow some rules. And the rules are no joke!
You have to be voted into the group and that could take a while.
On their website, the Hells Angels clearly state that if you have to ask how to get into a club then you “probably won’t understand the answer.” Becoming a member is a long process that can take years. And once you join, you join for life.
Before you are ‘In’, you are simply considered a ‘prospect’.
When you are being considered as a Hells Angel, you are part of a ‘Hang Around’ crowd. The ‘Hand Around’ crowd are sometimes invited to Hells Angels gatherings, so people can get a feel for one another.
They have a dress code.
One member told Inside The Angels that he could only wear black jeans, shirts, and vests when he joined.
Some groups won’t even allow shorts! While some charters sport all black wear, some allow blue jeans and camouflage patterns. The color and design codes can help distinguish which charter you belong to and further establish that you’re a part of the group.
There is an order that they ride in.
The Hells Angels are a large organization, so when they ride, they ride with a lot of people! The order in which members ride goes by rank. Older and senior members to the front, while members and prospects in the back.
They can’t work for a prison.
Given the long history between law enforcement and the Hells Angels, members are not allowed to work for prisons. Police officers are also not allowed to become members — due to the conflict of interest — of course.
There is no sharing information about fellow members.
Speaking to law enforcement about a fellow member aka ‘ratting’ is a big no-no. If a member is found to be a rat, you are kicked out of the group. However, something tells us that there is more to that rule.
Once a Hells Angel, always a Hells Angel.
Once you become a Hells Angel, you are in for life. There is no ‘retiring’ and the only exit is getting kicked out. When a member passes away, all the members of the Hells Angels get together to honor and celebrate their fallen brother.
No talking to the media.
The Hells Angels are very secretive, so it would make sense that one of their biggest rules is; No talking to the media.
Long running relationship with Harley-Davidson.
You can’t try to become a Hells Angel and ride a Honda motorcycle, you must ride a Harley.
One part of being the right kind of biker is owning a Harley Davidson. Riding Harley’s is a Hells Angels tradition that runs along the same lines as the sacred vest. It holds value because its a part of what makes them who they are.
The Hells Angels ride over 12,000 miles per year together (typically). All members hold a very deep passion for riding Harley’s and that’s a big part of the brotherhood.
You should show up to events.
If you are a member and you don’t show up for Hells Angels’ events, then you are clearly missing the point of the club. The club has a very strict attendance code and if you break it, you more than likely won’t make it past the ‘Hang Around’ phase of the membership process.
Members treat others like family.
The Hells Angels are a way of life and a true belief system. Everyone in the club is family and they all show love and respect for one another. If one member wrongs another, then you may not want to show your face around the clubhouse.
Never join another motorcycle club.
The website warns, “Never combine your support to Hells Angels with other clubs, street gangs, or others if you are unaware of the relationship between those others and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.” In other words, anything members choose to support has to fit in with the group as a whole.
Not just anyone can start their own charter.
The Hells Angels website explains, “Motorcycle Clubs consist of people who have ridden together for years, live in the same area, are known by the community, have runs and parties, and are a brotherhood.”
It takes years, even decades, to become that established. Only then would you consider morphing your group into a Hells Angels charter. That’s why the website states that when you’re ready to start a charter, you won’t have to ask how.
You don’t want to break the rules.
Since the motor club is secretive and full of loyal participants, there’s no telling what will be done to someone who betrays the brotherhood.
Investigator Julian Sher claims that the group has burned off the tattoos of past members who broke the rules. The worst form of punishment is being kicked out of the club, resulting in complete banishment from other members.
You can not link to the clubs website without permission.
As the rule is written on their website, it reads, “You may not establish and/ or operate links to this website without the prior written consent of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. Such consent may be withdrawn at any time at the Hells Angels MCs own discretion.”