seatbelts in the rear

1996 300tdi 90
Does anyone know the right answer to if seatbelts are needed in the rear bench seats or not .
I asked my insurance broker about insuring as a 7 seater , they came back to me with one company wanting an extra £80 and no changes needed ie no seatbelts need fitting.
the company im with was the same price as im paying as long as i fitted rear lap belts .

But what does the law say on rear passengers . I maybe ok with the insurance , but what about the police .

I have done searches some say one thing and others another , so more confused now than when i started checking

bongo1 said:

1996 300tdi 90
Does anyone know the right answer to if seatbelts are needed in the rear bench seats or not .
I asked my insurance broker about insuring as a 7 seater , they came back to me with one company wanting an extra £80 and no changes needed ie no seatbelts need fitting.
the company im with was the same price as im paying as long as i fitted rear lap belts .

But what does the law say on rear passengers . I maybe ok with the insurance , but what about the police .

I have done searches some say one thing and others another , so more confused now than when i started checking

Click to expand...

From what I have read is, side facing seats don’t require seatbelts.

Edit: see here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-passengers-in-the-rear#side-facing-seatbelts

Seat belts in side facing seats are not allowed to be fitted if children are being carried.

I have removed mine, after consulting with my insurers.

At last mot was told they don't need to be fitted as side facing.

mmmmm yet as i said one insurance company wanted them , the other did'nt . Wishing now i had paid the extra and not fitted them .

But legally i dont at least .