Hi Guys

What are the legalities for bench seats in the back of a Defender 90 as there doesn't appear to be any seat belts?

good day derbysred,

I had a similar problem and it all comes down to the age of your landrover. Mines a 86 CSW therefor had four individual seats in the back w/o belts. When it had its MOT the guys in the garage said it is fine as it predates the changes in law. Sounded good to me ali

The vehicle in question is a B reg 1984 I think. It doesn't have bench seats in it at the moment but I was thinking of putting one bench in! Does the above still apply?

Forget all the ''when it was built'' crap, the law clearly states that you must where a seat belt regardless of wether your driving a ford pop or a ferrari. If you've got seating, you must belt up!!!

M

Why in that case do older veichles pass MOT without seatbelts? If your adding a bench then yes you have to add seat belts. if it was manufactured without seatbelts prior to said law been enforced do you have to then fit them? ali

manufactured without seatbelts prior to said law been enforced do you have to then fit them?

Click to expand...

No, but the seatbelt law was passed long before 1984. So if you fit seats to your 90 you will have to fit seat belts.

the law actually states that any vehicle manufactured after 1982 must have seat belts fitted

Before 82?

he he

Oooh yer a buggeroozer you.

and that includes the rear seats? this is all terribly confusing...

Ah right yes rear seats yes right rear seats,...................................... cant remember when the rear seatbelt law came in.

If its true you dont need seatbelts on older cars that wernt made with em, then whats the point of the safety law? I know if I get a tug, id rather have them than not.

It was introduced to bring modern cars up to a higher safty standard? Agreed I'd too rather have belts in the back, just havn't got round to puttin them in yet. All commercial/public/etc.. veichles need them fitted though.

Hi, I put in bench seats into my 110 last year without seat belts and it passed its MOT without any problems. Apparantly as they were inward facing they were fine.

Cool Whats your MOT center called i gotta take my cars there! my 90 CSW had seven seats but i've reduced it to four and on the V5 or V10 (?) it dosn't say how many seats it has so Wolla! mayby derbysred's van dosn't say either?

Found this on the web:

Exemptions from seat belt wearing

The legislation provides for a number of specific exemptions from the seat belt wearing requirements on medical and other grounds. Please consult your doctor if you think you should not wear a seat belt on medical grounds.
As for the others these include:-

"(b) the driver of or a passenger in a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for carrying goods, while on a journey which does not exceed 50 metres and which is undertaken for the purpose of delivering or collecting any thing;

(c) a person driving a vehicle while performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;
(d) a qualified driver (within the meaning given by regulation 9 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987) who is supervising the holder of a provisional licence (within the meaning of Part III of the Act) while that holder is performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;
(e) a person by whom, as provided in the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987, a test of competence to drive is being conducted and his wearing a seat belt would endanger himself or any other person;
(f) a person driving or riding in a vehicle while it is being used for fire brigade or police purposes or for carrying a person in lawful custody (a person who is being so carried being included in this exemption);
(g) the driver of—
(i) a licensed taxi while it is being used for seeking hire, or answering a call for hire, or carrying a passenger for hire, or
(ii) a private hire vehicle while it is being used to carry a passenger for hire;
(h) a person riding in a vehicle, being used under a trade licence, for the purpose of investigating or remedying a mechanical fault in the vehicle;
(j) a disabled person who is wearing a disabled person's belt; or
(k) a person riding in a vehicle while it is taking part in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown."

Fitting Seat Belts

All new cars must have:
Front and rear seatbelts fitted that must be worn

Older cars that do not have seatbelts:
Do not need to have them fitted and worn
However if seatbelts are fitted in older cars they must be worn

But when did they start fitting rear seatbelts to satisfy legislation.

1991 according to my neighbour who works for the veichle inspectorate. So i'm guessing if Derbysred fits them he has to add seat belts unless of course his veichle docs don't mention the number of seats. But that would be wrong...