What are the laws regarding the back seats in land rovers, for example are you allowed to sit in the back of a pick up 90 with a canvas top, if there are seats?

I am looking at putting seats in the back of my 110 van, from what I have read inward facing bench seats can just be bolted in without seatbelts as far as I kno..? Sure someone will put me right if not!

I couldn't find anything relevant on the MOT website, but it's best not to trust the Intarnets for an interpretation of law anyway. (Telling the police that some bloke online said it was OK doesn't tend to go down well...) I suggest calling VOSA: Contact Us

A number of sites with answers from a Google search - a little harder to separate fact from opinion!

From what I've read my summary is:

- Yes you can fit them
- Make sure load spreaders are used to bolt onto
- Seat belts are not required on side facing seats - strong indication that lap belts are more dangerous in a crash to no belts, and that mounting 3 point belts with strong enough mountings is a challenge!
- Legal issues re: carrying children in the rear - relates to legislation around using proper child seats. Conclusion: side facing child seats are a real challenge to secure with lap belts, so don't!
- Make sure you tell your insurers - both in terms of vehicle alterations and a potential increase to their liability (up to 7 people rolled in a ditch rather than 3!)
- Depending on whetehr your current V5 states the seating capacity (some Landys do, many don't), you may need to have the V5 amended
- Don't exceed 4 people in the rear (even if they're slim!!) - 8+ occupants strays into a different vehicle class

and finally.....

Some suggest a better solution - fixed frame rear facing bench seat bolted through the floor (with load spreaders) with the seat backs against the bulkhead behind the driver's seat. Apparently secured with just 4 bolts so easy to remove when more load space is needed.


Know there are loads of LZ members with far more knowledge than me - please correct anything I've misunderstood. Being married I know that could be a long list :confused2:

I believe that its not legal to use 3 point belts with side facing seats. Exmoor Trim supply a mounting kit for 3 point belts in the rear, but you can only have 2 of them (they are bolted to the top of the side panels in the back corner), and can only be used with forward facing seats.

Also I would guess the only thing that you would need to ensure with a rear facing seats is that the heads of the occupants is fully supported, otherwise I am guessing they will end up with nasty neck injury (or head-but the driver/passenger) in a head-on collision.

With regard to the Exmoor Trim seat-belts, you won't be able to fit them in a pickup since they attach to the sides/roof either side of the rear door.

If you don't plan to carry children, inward-facing seats can be used. You don't need to fit seatbelts, but if you do, use lap-belts.

changing van to a county conversion, having fitted inward facing rear seats, do I have to take it to be inspected?

I have some forward facing rear seats in my 110. They are made by Scott Seats, have integrated seat belts.

Scot Seat Direct Ltd Home Page

I have to say I'm not a fan of forward-facing seats in the back of a 90 or 110. They really don't seem to work all that well with the door being at the back as you have to squeeze between the seats or fold one up to get in and out. Rear-facing would be a better option for access but it is of course difficult to sell these in a new car. Personally I prefer the side-facing seats.

I converted my pickup to a soft top last summer. Two rear mounted middle facing seats with lap belts. All legal as far as I'm aware and a vast improvement on the pickup configuration for taking the family around too!

flyingpete said:

personally i prefer the side-facing seats.

Click to expand...

+1

I have forward facing rear seats in my 90 and they are generally in the way more often than they get used.

I keep meaning to take them out, but have never found the time.