Adding Seats To A Van - Legalities

[redgriff500]

Hi guys,

I've always run vans as well as cars as to move my toys about (kayaks, bikes etc)

I now have 4 kids as well so bought a VW Transporter and added side windows and rear seats.

I used Unwin tracking and quick release seats out of an ex NHS minibus.

I have sent my V5 off to the DVLA to be changed to an 8 passenger seats plus driver.

I asked my MOT station and they said they would just MOT it as normal.

So is there any other legalities involved ?

A google suggests SVA might be and that weirdly Minibus / coach seats DON'T meet car seat regs.

[Cyberprog]

IIRC you need to be able to prove to the insurance co that they have been fitted safely - all the people offering this sort of conversion on eBlag state they give a certificate with the work to confirm it's been done safely.

[redgriff500]

I have a blanket insurance policy so that won't be a problem (until I sell it)

Annoyingly I've bolted the rails down with M6 bolts (that was the countersunk size in the rails) and it seems if I used M8 (which would have meant re-drilling the rails - 136 holes) they would pass M1 spec.

So IVA doesn't get involved anywhere ?

[Cyberprog]

Your insurance company may require the modification declared and/or an engineers report to suit.

[redgriff500]

Cyberprog said:

Your insurance company may require the modification declared and/or an engineers report to suit.

No they don't care, I have an agreement with them as all my cars are modified.

I just tell them make, model and value.

[TooLateForAName]

Tell them anyway - big difference between putting an engine mod in and increasing the number of passengers.

I didn't ever get a straight answer when I tried to find out if there was any structural bracing differences between the van and caravel models. Some people told me that there was extra bracing for the seatbelt mount points.

[redgriff500]

TooLateForAName said:

Tell them anyway - big difference between putting an engine mod in and increasing the number of passengers.

I didn't ever get a straight answer when I tried to find out if there was any structural bracing differences between the van and caravel models. Some people told me that there was extra bracing for the seatbelt mount points.

V5 is with the DVLA to be updated so its obvious.

I used Unwin tracking and minibus seats with built in belts so seatbelt points are irrelevant.

I suspect insurance is cheaper for a Caravelle than a Transporter too.

[redgriff500]

I also found out that M1 car spec are for 3 TONNES PER SEAT !

According to a crash test website I found that would need a 30mph impact into a tree with ZERO crumple zone to get close to that (2.4 tonnes assuming a 75kg passenger).

If you have even a 2 foot crumple zone then it reduces to 0.75 tonnes.

Presumably coaches are either expected to crumple more or travel at slower speeds hence have lower limits.