Van Legislation - Seat Belts

Time to Belt Up

Of course all new vans such as the from the smallest Vauxhall Corsavan to the largest Iveco Daily now come with seat belts for driver and passengers.

However, many van drivers still believe in an "urban myth" they are exempt from having to wear them! This is not the case, even multi-drop drivers operating up a busy high street may need to belt up. A change in the law came into force on the 1st March 2005 ago stating that people making deliveries and who travel for more than 50 metres between stops now have to wear seat belts. This applies to all drivers and passengers on public roads.

There are additional rules for minibuses.

Seat Belts in Minibuses

• All minibuses and coaches registered on or after 1 October 2001, (whether they carry child or adult passengers) must have forward-facing or rearward-facing seat belts
• Minibuses and coaches registered before 1 October 2001, when the main purpose of the trip is to transport three or more children, must have a forward-facing seat for each child, fitted with either a three-point seat belt or a lap belt.

Minibuses - Front Seats

Passengers sitting in the front seats, and any exposed seat, MUST use the seat belts that are provided. If children are sitting in these seats, it is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children:

• Under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint
• Aged between 3 and 11 years, and under 1.5 metres tall use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt
• Aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.5 metres or taller) use the seat belt
• Aged 14 years or more travelling in the front seats, or any exposed seat, MUST wear a seat belt and are personally responsible for doing so

Rear Seats in Small Minibuses

Passengers sitting in the rear of minibuses that have an unladen weight of 2,540 kg or less must wear the seat belts that are provided. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children:

• Less than 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint if available
• Aged between 3 and 11 years, less than 1.5 metres tall, use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt, if available
• Aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.5 metres or taller) use the seat belt, if available
• Aged 14 years in smaller minibuses are legally responsible for wearing a seat belt themselves

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