Centre seat belt

I know it's been asked a thousand times, but I can find a clear answer, does the centre seat legally need a belt?, as when it was made it did not have one, the direct gov website says
"If your vehicle doesn’t have seat belts, for example it’s a classic car, you aren’t allowed to carry any children under 3 years old in it.

Children over 3 are only allowed to sit in the back seats.

These rules only apply if your vehicle was originally made without seat belts."
So does that mean that if there is no seat belt originally fitted, so long as they are over 3 they don't need one? Or does it mean what I just said but they may only sit in the back ?
I understand its un safe to not have one.
Also if a belt were LEGALLY required, does it matter if its a lap belt or a proper shoulder belt?
I would only be doing journeys of 5 miles or so, and only occasional, so don't really want to spend a ton of money on a full 3 point harness etc
Thanks ben

Mines got one and its only a lap belt What year is yours? Mines a 1976

This thread has all the info. http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/middle-seat-legality-236511.html Basically a child must be given any seat with proper belts and a child seat (booster) if under 12 and 135cm.

People crash on short journeys as well Fit a belt

I'm going to fit a halfords lap belt one I think (it's £17) can I simply unbolt the mounting that are already there (for driver and passanger) and use the same bolt. E.g. Have the metal tab for the driver and the tab on the centre seat on the same bolt ?
Thanks ben

Also Sam mine is a 1984, so that's strange :s

Minimum is lap belts on most outward seats for series land rovers. ie, drivers seat an passenger seat. middle seat and bench seats do not legally need belts.

I've spoke to insurance, and they say so long as it is professionally fitted with a belt it won't cost me on my insurance premium, so I went to the local scrappy got the middle belt from the back of a 106 (I already have the seat) went to my local garage and they Said there no point in paying us, fit it let us look and we will say it's ok, rang back insurance to confirm, and now all is sorted
P.s. it's a lap belt that's been installed, I know it's not ideal, however it's legal, I'm looking into a proper 3point one, does anyone have any details on fitting a 3 point harness?
Thanks ben

You can fit a three point fixing seatbelt but because there is nowhere for the top mount you would have to adapt a centre rear seatbelt from another car which mounts on the rear of the seat (I used one from a Mk2 mondeo). It will mean making brackets/mounts to suit. It's not straight forward but it can be done.

I heard exmoor trim do them ? Will look into it

Brookwells (and others) sell Exmoor trim ones (EXT001-9) I fitted one of these and its quite good. It comes with a spreader plate and mounting bolt to fit it to the bulkhead or floor...

doughnut said:

You can fit a three point fixing seatbelt but because there is nowhere for the top mount you would have to adapt a centre rear seatbelt from another car which mounts on the rear of the seat (I used one from a Mk2 mondeo). It will mean making brackets/mounts to suit. It's not straight forward but it can be done.

Click to expand...

Na, my 88 had a 3 point belt for the middle seat in the front, it just wasn't an inertia reel job. You just mount it to the bulkhead with an appropriate brace and bolt. I'd say its about as simple as it gets!

Yeah sorry, I was thinking inertia reel.

with 4 or more wheels first used on or after 1 January 1965

Driver's and specified front passengers seat
A. vehicles first used before 1 April 1981: A belt which restrains the upper part of the body (but need not include a lap belt) for each seat
B. Vehicles first used after 31March 1981: A 3 point (lap/diagonal) belt

Centre front seat
No requirement

Forward facing rear seats
No requirement

the center front seat need a minimum of a lap belt from 31 March 1987 onwards