No seat belts and the law (and children)

[Jonathan C]

My 1957 Morris 1000 has no seatbelts fitted at all. My 3 children (6, 9 and 11 1/2 years old) love it and want to come with me everywhere. I have looked at a variety of websites (including an official government one)and I can't seem to get a clear answer as to which of them can travel with me in the car and which (if any) can travel in the front seat. There seems to be plenty of confusion about being 12 or 14 years and 135 cm or taller. Can anyone clear it up in a sentence or two so that I do not end up on the wrong side of the law?

Thanks

[Dean]

In all honesty, I think you should just fit seat belts. Safer for you and your passengers.

[ASL642]

It didn't become law until 1965 for cars in Europe (UK) to have to be fitted with seat belts.

Fit front and back belts for your own peace of mind (and your childrens's safety).

[robberred1993]

In all honesty, I think you should just fit seat belts. Safer for you and your passengers.

I can agree, I fitted seatbelts in mine for security of me and my passengers

[Neil MG]

The law is quite clear, children can travel in the car. Children over 135cm or over 12 years can sit in the front. Children over three years can sit in the back. So assuming your 11 year old is over 135cm then he/she can sit in the front and the others can sit in the back.

It is up to you whether or not you fit seatbelts, but they are not required by law for your children to travel in the car.

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/Road_Traff ... Seat_Belts

I have two of my classic cars including my Minor without belts and have no intention to fit them so long as I am legally entitled not to!

[rayofleamington]

perfectly legal, but as per most of the others - I wouldn't take the risk.

Fitting rear belts is quick and easy as long as you have a drill and get some re-enforcing plates. If you're not DIY competent then get someone else to do it.
Fitting front belts in a 57 can be much more involed - it's likely the car has no mounting points and these need to be welded in place on the sill inner step panel. The upper mounts need some thought. positioning the upper mount in a reasonable position on a 4dr needs some thought and some extra steel and can block access to the trafficator (if you have them). The upper mount in a later 2dr is on the rail below the rear window and to replicate on an early car should be re-enforced in a similar way.

[faversham999]

If your vehicle has no seat belts:

You can't carry any children under three years old in vehicles without seatbelts, like classic cars.
If you're travelling with children over three years old, they must only sit in the back seats.

I stored my front seat belts in the bin .