the law?

[tomseries3tom]

land rover series 3 1973 truck cab whats the law with people sitting in the back if i put bench seats in can my mates sit in the back inn the wind etc or does it need to have a roof?
tom

 

[Land Raver]

I would definitely inform your insurance company. They may have is down as a pick up or similar. Technically with bench seats it could be a 7 seater and greater liability in an accident.

 

[crashbox]

My understanding is that side facing bench seats are illegal.

 

[crashbox]

If the bench seats are forward facing with fitted seat belts, no roof is required. Think about it, a soft top Landy only has the door and front windscreen frames as protection. I would fit a roll cage.

 

[Pikey]

nope sorry CB but ya wrong. Side facing bench seats are not illegal. It is now illegal in new vehicles but not in existing vehicles

 

[crashbox]

nope sorry CB but ya wrong. Side facing bench seats are not illegal. It is now illegal in new vehicles but not in existing vehicles

I will not argue as I am not sure. I know we had to get rid of our bench side facing seats in our plod wagons but I've been out of that game for more than 6 years now. It sounds right that if it was manufactured that way then its okay, just like the lack of seat belts in early vehicles etc.

 

[dominicbeesley]

I think you need to update your log book too. Not sure about belts. Mine has belts fitted (in which case they MUST be worn) but I've read in various places that they do more harm than good in a front on impact.

Thing is in a Landy you've got to think about more than a front-on impact, there's a likelyhood of roll-over and people just falling over the side.

 

[Pikey]

I think you need to update your log book too. Not sure about belts. Mine has belts fitted (in which case they MUST be worn) but I've read in various places that they do more harm than good in a front on impact.

nope seatbelts don't have to be worn on side facing seats, They aren't testable in an MOT and you are NOT allowed to use them to restrain a child as they are not approved for use with child restraints.

 

[Pikey]

Good discussion here makes it pretty clear as well.

seat belt law

 

[Crazylurcher]

We all know the aptitude of insurance companies of uncovering loopholes that avoid them having to pay out