Bench seats and insurance

Defender90td5 · Dec 9, 2019

Hi all,

I currently have a 90 200tdi which is in a van format (no windows in the sides at the rear) and I’m wanting to add bench seats for my friends for journeys. Is this legal and is 1 bench seat classed as 1 seat on insurance forms or 3 as 3 people can sit on 1 bench seat. Any help would be appreciated.

dag019 · Dec 9, 2019

The bench counts as the number of people it can seat rather than the number of physical seats. Are you sure it is three people. Most aftermarket benches are only for two people. It is the age of the vehicle which determines the legality so with a 200tdi you should be fine. I would however if you are planning on using them for adult look into the individual folding seats found in later models. I upgraded my benches to them and they are far more a real seat and much more comfortable.

Defender90td5 · Dec 9, 2019

dag019 said:
The bench counts as the number of people it can seat rather than the number of physical seats. Are you sure it is three people. Most aftermarket benches are only for two people. It is the age of the vehicle which determines the legality so with a 200tdi you should be fine. I would however if you are planning on using them for adult look into the individual folding seats found in later models. I upgraded my benches to them and they are far more a real seat and much more comfortable.
View attachment 195895

Do the bench seats have seatbelts and if not are they a requirement? How would that work?

dag019 · Dec 10, 2019

Defender90td5 said:
Do the bench seats have seatbelts and if not are they a requirement? How would that work?

No, mine do not ('89 110). I believe (from memory) that side facing seats do not legally require seat belts to be fitted but if seat belts are fitted they are legally required to be worn. You would need to check the specific regulations, there are lots of previous threads about it which I read extensively when I fitted mine. I decided not to fit seat belts as they were not required and to fit the seat belts correctly is not straightforward as you need the mounting bars, and I believe brackets under the tub that attach to the chassis. It was more complicated than just bolting them to the tub so I did not bother as they were not required for my vehicle. There is also an argument that on a side facing seat they will not achieve much as they are only a lap belt and will not prevent you moving in the direction of travel (sideways) in the event of an accident.

Defender90td5 · Dec 10, 2019

dag019 said:
No, mine do not ('89 110). I believe (from memory) that side facing seats do not legally require seat belts to be fitted but if seat belts are fitted they are legally required to be worn. You would need to check the specific regulations, there are lots of previous threads about it which I read extensively when I fitted mine. I decided not to fit seat belts as they were not required and to fit the seat belts correctly is not straightforward as you need the mounting bars, and I believe brackets under the tub that attach to the chassis. It was more complicated than just bolting them to the tub so I did not bother as they were not required for my vehicle. There is also an argument that on a side facing seat they will not achieve much as they are only a lap belt and will not prevent you moving in the direction of travel (sideways) in the event of an accident.

Understood, don’t think I’ll go for seat belts then as it’s not worth it for the amount of times the bench seats will actually be used.

Bench seats and insurance

Defender90td5

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dag019

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Defender90td5

Active Member

dag019

Well-Known Member

Defender90td5

Active Member

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