seat belt legislation

Post by **rob.hardy1** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:56 pm

Does anyone know what year seat belts had to be fitted to a vehicle from new.
Same question put a different way.
My traveller was made in '67. Would it have had belts fitted from new?

thanks
rob

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:03 pm

It became compulsory to fit them in 1965, and if they're fitted, it is (duh) compulsory to wear them
a

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:03 pm

Vehicles first used on or after 1st Jan 65 must have belts. So a 67 car would have had them from new.

I wasn't sure whether there's a grey area in the first use wording as I've got a late 64 built early 65 registered (might even be the 2nd!) car that had no belts when I bought it. I was happy to go without until I could afford/ find something half decent but the MOT man, he say "No". Luckily static belts out the back of some Japanese 4x4 monstrosity aren't a bad fit and even match the colour of my interior

Post by **MoggyTech** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:03 pm

A question regarding the early two door cars without seat belts. Do the front seats have a locking mechanism to prevent them from tilting forward? If not the words Human Missile spring to mind. Even if I had an early exempt car I would fit inertia reel belts front and back.

Post by **Axolotl** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:58 pm

It's the first used date that is important, not the build date.

From 1/1/65 onwards it was front seat belts only, until 1/4/82, when rear belt anchorage points became a requirement. Actual rear belts were not compulsory until 1/4/87.

Prior to 1/4/81, the front belts could be two point (diagonal only) fittings, with no lap belt.

Where two seats are fitted in the rear (a seat is generally 400mm of seat space i.e the EEC "bum" width) a three point inertia reel belt is needed in one of the seats, doesn't matter which. If it hasn't got that then each seat must be fitted with either a lap belt, child restraint belt, disabled persons belt or three point static belt.

Where three seats are fitted in the rear a three point inertia reel belt is needed in one of the outboard seats and one of the remaining seats with a lap belt, child restraint belt, disabled persons belt or a three point static or inertia reel belt.

Alternatively a three point static belt can be fitted to any of the seats and one of the remaining fitted with a child restraint or disabled persons belt.

If none of the above are met then every seat in the rear must be fitted with either a lap belt, child restraint belt, disabled persons belt or a three point static or inertia reel belt. These belts can be fitted in any combination.

As a general rule therefore, from 1st April 1987, rear seats need one belt if two seats are fitted and two belts if three seats are fitted. Remember these are the minimum legal belts that must be fitted but all belts fitted at the time of test must comply with the requirements.

Vehicles first used before 1st April 1987 do not need seat belts in the rear but if they're fitted they get tested. Vehicles first used before 1st January 1965 don't need any seat belts but if fitted they get tested.

Got that

?

Post by **dave1949** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:36 pm

I own a C plate convertible,{ which i believe is an original not chopped top?}, have a current V5C and it is Sworn.
However it was imported from The Isle of Man and date of first reg is shown on V5 as 28 02 80.
Where do i stand and can i find out the true 1st reg date.I do not really want to have seat belts in the rear.

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:47 pm

Axolotl wrote:It's the first used date that is important, not the build date.

Ah yes, but how do you know when it was first used?

A 64 built car might have been "used" before it was first registered in 65. Unlikely, but possible.

It's a very pedantic point to make I know

Post by **Axolotl** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:23 pm

Packedup, I think in this context, "first used" means date of registration. i.e. when it first appears on the official radar. Clearly, all sorts of things could have happened to the vehicle before it was registered, and nearly all cars are "used" when they are driven off the assembly line onto the car park / field for storage / transporter / to dealer prior to registration.

I've just checked and the DVLA equates "date of first use" with "date of registration", because it means "date the vehicle was first licenced for use on public roads".

Dave1949, I don't see a problem, unless I've misunderstood something. (Quite likely

). Rear belts weren't required until "first use after" April 1987, so even if your V5 shows first use as 1980, then it doesn't need rear belts (or anchorage points (April 1981). It would need front belts, as its a post '65 car (C reg is April 1965 - Mar 1966, I think).

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:13 pm

Minors had front seat belt mounts long before Jan 1965 - and a lot were fitted with seat belts before 65. Some people didn't like the idea and took them out!
I've seen a 69 Minor with the belts removed and the owner thought this was legal

I had a polite word in his ear that not only would he be in trouble but also his MOT man could get suspended.

As for rear belts in a Minor - wanting them or not probably depends if you carry children, but there is no legal requirement to have them on a Minor. AFAIK if there are (legally) no rear belts then the child seat rules do not apply.