World first: Hells Angels bikie gang rule book exposed

Snitches, junkies and cops need not apply and "behaviour unbecoming" of a bikie will get you immediately expelled from the notorious gang. Read the full rulebook. 

Riding a high powered Harley Davidson is a non-negotiable but hard drugs and “undesirables” like “snitches, junkies, cops or ex-cops” are forbidden if you want to join the Hells Angels.

Its built a reputation as one of the world’s most notorious criminal organisations based on a history of violence, intimidation and disdain for the law.

But according to their own global rule book, they do “not condone any unlawful or illegal activity” despite countless members finding trouble with the law.

For the first time in the club’s 75 year history, News Corp can reveal the sacred rules governing the inner-workings of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in its own words.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE RULE BOOK

The Hells Angels live by a strict set of global rules governing the club’s every move. Picture: Jono Searle

Released by a South Australian court, the Hells Angels “world rules”, updated every five years and distributed to each of the bikie gang’s chapters across the world, reveal the strict rules each member must adopt and adhere to or risk facing fines or being expelled from the club.

The global guidelines outline the gang’s rules on every aspect of bikie life from internal voting and membership processes, to fighting, and the strict use of the club’s iconic death head insignia.

“These rules are to make our club life easier,” an anonymous Hells Angels member is quoted as saying on the inside cover of the rule book.

“If they don’t work, the rules are wrong, or the people are wrong.”

THE HELLS ANGELS RULES

According to the rules, members must adhere to a strict set of “prohibitive rules” on top of the “standard rules” that apply.

Under the club’s “constitutional rules”, all members and prospects must ride a Harley Davidson no less than 750cc and can only own one set of Hells Angels patches at any given time.

They also state that “no undesirables” can join the club, including “snitches, junkies, cops or ex-cops”.

“Membership shall be limited to men who are not and who have never chosen to belong to, or worked with any law enforcement agency or authority which has the power of arrest or incarceration,” they state.

They also state: “Behaviour unbecoming of a Hells Angel shall be cause for immediate expulsion from the Club. Examples include; lying, stealing or misuse of a member’s or prospect’s property or woman.”

Members are banned from using weapons during any internal physical disputes and “shall be fair” or face expulsion.

HOW DO BIKIES JOIN THE HELLS ANGELS?

To join, prospective members must have a fully traceable history. Those wanting to join the Hells Angels first become a “hangaround” and must achieve 75 per cent of member votes before becoming a club “prospect”.

Prospective Hells Angels bikies can only become fully-fledged members after proving themselves as a “hangaround” then a “prospect”.

After a year serving as a “prospect”, a position subservient to fully patched members, a 100 per cent vote is required for membership to be confirmed.

Only full gang members can wear club colours, known as a “patch” – gang insignia including the Hells Angel “death head” and the words Hells Angels on “rockers” that are attached to gang vests according to strict measurement guides.

Non-members caught wearing membership gear can be seriously assaulted.

Members who leave the club on “good standing” will have an “out date” inked under their club tattoo, while those who leave on a “bad standing” must get a large “X” through the tattoo or have it completely blacked out.

THE HISTORY OF THE HELLS ANGELS

The Hells Angels began in California in 1948 and spread across the US before expanding internationally to New Zealand in 1961, then into Europe and Australia in the 1970s.

Estimates on the number of club members around the world sit at about 6000, with more than 470 chapters across 62 countries.

The Hells Angels were founded in California in 1948.

The Hells Angels World Rules are distributed to every one of the club’s chapters across the globe. Pictures: Supplied

In Adelaide, there are three chapters known as the North Crew, Dead End Crew and Adelaide chapter.

For a chapter to exist, the rules state “there must be a minimum of six members on the street”.

THE HELLS ANGELS DRUGS RULES

Under the rules, Hells Angels bikies must not use needles to inject illicit drugs, with the use of heroin strictly forbidden.

“If any member is found to be using a needle to inject narcotics into his body or causes narcotics to be injected into his body, the moment that this fact is known that member is immediately out of the club, regardless of the fact that he is dead or alive (except for medical or non-recreational purposes),” the rules state.

The rules also state members of the club, which is described as “non-political”, are banned from “freebasing” cocaine, crack, methamphetamines and other “addictive chemical compounds”.

CAN THE HELLS ANGELS POST PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

According to the guidelines, the “World Rules and the rules within the book must not be reprinted, copied or digitally reproduced in part, in full or translated into any other languages”.

Another Hells Angels club document states there are to be no “burns or lashings” against any members or friends outside the club.

The strict code also addresses website use and states the information allowed “is to be restricted to non-sensitive” information which “does not endanger the safety of HAMC members”.

According to the Hells Angels’ world rules, members must ride a motorcycle no smaller than 750cc. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

“Do not put party photos or pictures of Brothers on internet sites without those Brothers permission,” the rules state.

Members are also banned from posting images from the club’s World Run – a large annual event where all chapters from across the globe come together to discuss and meet regarding club business. Penalties for either breach is “to be decided at a World Meeting”.

No statements are to be made to the media about club business without the consent of all chapters.

Members are also banned from making any statements to police that may incriminate the club or a member, except circumstances which require “common sense”, including insurance claims and traffic infringements.

LATEST ALLEGED BIKIE ARRESTS

The world first insight into the gang’s inner-workings comes as 13 alleged Hells Angels members, prospects or associates were last week arrested and charged with association offences after allegedly riding in a large group earlier this month.

South Australian law prohibits three or more participants of a declared criminal organisation to be present in a public place, with a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment.

All 13 men were bailed to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in April.

Originally published as World first: Hells Angels bikie gang rule book exposed