Rear, seats anyone know what's the legislation?

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raywin

Well-Known Member
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Location
North Yorkshire
I have a 2001 Defender 90 (panel sides) and I have two rear sideways facing seats. I don't know if I can carry anyone in them when on the road, is it the case that the law which was current at the time of original registration applies ?
Or do I have to put in some forward facing seats if I need to take anyone on the road?
 
Interesting question.

I would hazard a guess, and it is a guess, But surely grandfather rights would come into place. You can not be expected to modify a vehicle if the laws change, as long as the vehicle was supplied like that from the factory and was road legal at that time.

Also raises the question about seat belts , kids in the back etc.

Does your V5 not state how many seats it is? I know mine does not.

Will be interesting to see what you find.

Cheers
 
There is a lot of info in some very long threads that a lot of research went into so it worth doing a search and having a read up but basically....

Yes you can carry passengers so long as it was legal at the time of manufacture....Ish.

The legislation generally concerning child seats applies no matter the age of the vehicle with exceptions for 'unusual' circumstances in which case the children have to be in the safest possible seat in ascending order of age ie the sprog gets the front passenger seat while the Doris and MIL bounce around in the back.
 
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Interesting question.

I would hazard a guess, and it is a guess, But surely grandfather rights would come into place. You can not be expected to modify a vehicle if the laws change, as long as the vehicle was supplied like that from the factory and was road legal at that time.

Also raises the question about seat belts , kids in the back etc.

Does your V5 not state how many seats it is? I know mine does not.

Will be interesting to see what you find.

Cheers
Found out my V5 says :
23-11-2001
2 Axle Rigid Body
2500 KG Gross
Light Goods Vehicle
Heavy oil
2495 cc
but number of seats including driver is blank? strange that leaves it in a bit of an unknown state
 
Found out my V5 says :
23-11-2001
2 Axle Rigid Body
2500 KG Gross
Light Goods Vehicle
Heavy oil
2495 cc
but number of seats including driver is blank? strange that leaves it in a bit of an unknown state

Just write police, fire or rescue services on the side and nobody needs to wear seatbelts. :D:D
 
I was multi tasking.....Thinking and typing at the same time :p

Multi tasking should be left to wimmins. They are reputed to be good at, it whilst men can only do one job at a time. Although it has to be said i find it better to do one job at a time well, rather than the female version of several at the same time badly. :D:D
 
Found out my V5 says :
23-11-2001
2 Axle Rigid Body
2500 KG Gross
Light Goods Vehicle
Heavy oil
2495 cc
but number of seats including driver is blank? strange that leaves it in a bit of an unknown state

Kinda normal situation for a Fender.

There's quite a good summary of the law in a table here... http://www.saferroads.org/advice/drivers/seatbelts/

Note the difference in wording. Legislation for younger children says 'correct restraint must be used' older children and adults that can use just a normal seatbelt without booster etc it says 'where a belt is available'
 
Kinda normal situation for a Fender.

There's quite a good summary of the law in a table here... http://www.saferroads.org/advice/drivers/seatbelts/

Note the difference in wording. Legislation for younger children says 'correct restraint must be used' older children and adults that can use just a normal seatbelt without booster etc it says 'where a belt is available'
Read most of it, it's a bit sobering to see:
"Every year, over 10,000 children are killed or injured while travelling in cars,"
One of my main intentions was to get a front facing seat so that I could take my grandchild in the back, need to look for a good seat and take out my sideways ones.
 
Read most of it, it's a bit sobering to see:
"Every year, over 10,000 children are killed or injured while travelling in cars,"
One of my main intentions was to get a front facing seat so that I could take my grandchild in the back, need to look for a good seat and take out my sideways ones.

It's the best solution by far. I've got a seat with integral retracting belt that came out of a van. It would need the legs cutting on one side to go over the wheel arch and a bracket welded to suit a spreader plate but you're welcome to it...It's a bit of a trek though
 
Thanks that's a kind offer.
Just at the moment I have a Land Rover one on watch on local E bay, If I get it I will take my old ones out and sell them on to anyone who needs them and hopefully the net cost wont be too high.
 
If the Kid is going in the back, are you not going to give them a window to look out of?

Cheers
Yes you are thinking ahead, you guessed my next project, hope to get in some camping trips.
I would have loved to go camping in a land rover when I was a kid.
 
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