Thread: Seat belt rules for old cars?

i test drove a 1971 SIIa LWB from a dealer today and he reckon that because it wasn't fitted with seat belts when it came out it doesn't require them for road worthy.
i would check with QLD Transport through.

ADR's are not retrospective, If youre vehicle wasnt fitted with seatbelts or only had one style of seatbelts then you only haveto use them.However IF you update something that is covered by ADR's then you are required to comply with the Relative current ADR.

As indicated by the others. Seat belts are not required for any 2a Landrovers, but if fitted should not be removed, must be in good condition, and must be used if fitted. There is no requirement to update them to retractable however. The status of non-approved mounts, which were very common on these vehicles, is probably a bit grey, but since rules are not retrospective, if they are a period fitting, they should be OK.

Despite the above it would be wise to fit seat belts to any 2a (or S1) as these are probably the most effective safety item on any vehicle since the introduction of tread on tyres. Fixed (not retractable) three point belts, if correctly adjusted, are just as safe as retractable, and if you have the bent handbrake they are no problem driving, and have the advantage they keep you in place better on rough roads!

John

As others have said it doesn't need them, but if fitted they must be in good condition and you must wear them. They should also check how they have been installed.

I've attached the seatbelt rules for Victoria because I looked into this when getting a roadworthy on my Series 1 but I guess it will vary State to State.

The latest child restraint laws are retrospective. If you drive a car that doesn't need seatbelts and you have a child that needs to be in a capsule or booster seat then they cannot be legally be carried.



Colin

I thought that in NSW some time ago seatbelts were backdated to 1965.

Regards
Max P

Apparently, in Qld at least, recent amendments to the seat belt saga require that if a vehicle was not originally fitted then they still do not require them, ..... BUT if a child under the age of seven years (I think) is to be carried in the vehicle, then seat belts/ restraints must be fitted, at least to the passenger seats.
This has come up recently at the MJCQ meetings and has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons amongst the Jeep fraternity as suddenly, to carry children (and all little boys want to ride in old cars don't they?) legally the authenticity of a restored vehicle is in jeopardy, as seatbelts are not simply a case of bolt on anywhere, but require an engineer's certification.
Although not in your case, it is feared amongst the dedicated collectors that this enforced break with authenticity could quite possibly be the forerunner to other "enforced modifications" which could impact on "Special Interest" rego legislation as far as restorations are concerned.

Sidetracking slightly from the Land Rover scene: When the goody two shoes push was on 10 or so years ago, to fit seat belts to school buses to protect our little treasures, these seatbelts were obediently fitted, in many cases, simply screwed into a plywood floor, or bolted to seat frames that were screwed into a plywood floor! As newer buses came onto the scene the legislation changed requiring that all new buses were fitted from manufacture with strengthening plates etc., but many operators around Australia haven't bought a new bus yet and possibly when they do in another ten years or so it may well be second hand, so it could well be quite a while before our "treasures" are protected..
This doesn't have much to do with your query, I just thought I'd throw it in for kicks. I could go on for days about seating regulations and the futility of some knee-jerk regulatory legislations.
Just check out the carrying kids situation.... remember your nephew's reaction when I couldn't take him for a run in Onslow.
Regards
Glen

Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

Apparently, in Qld at least, recent amendments to the seat belt saga require that if a vehicle was not originally fitted then they still do not require them, ..... BUT if a child under the age of seven years (I think) is to be carried in the vehicle, then seat belts/ restraints must be fitted, at least to the passenger seats.
This has come up recently at the MJCQ meetings and has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons amongst the Jeep fraternity as suddenly, to carry children (and all little boys want to ride in old cars don't they?) legally the authenticity of a restored vehicle is in jeopardy, as seatbelts are not simply a case of bolt on anywhere, but require an engineer's certification.
Although not in your case, it is feared amongst the dedicated collectors that this enforced break with authenticity could quite possibly be the forerunner to other "enforced modifications" which could impact on "Special Interest" rego legislation as far as restorations are concerned.

Sidetracking slightly from the Land Rover scene: When the goody two shoes push was on 10 or so years ago, to fit seat belts to school buses to protect our little treasures, these seatbelts were obediently fitted, in many cases, simply screwed into a plywood floor, or bolted to seat frames that were screwed into a plywood floor! As newer buses came onto the scene the legislation changed requiring that all new buses were fitted from manufacture with strengthening plates etc., but many operators around Australia haven't bought a new bus yet and possibly when they do in another ten years or so it may well be second hand, so it could well be quite a while before our "treasures" are protected..
This doesn't have much to do with your query, I just thought I'd throw it in for kicks. I could go on for days about seating regulations and the futility of some knee-jerk regulatory legislations.
Just check out the carrying kids situation.... remember your nephew's reaction when I couldn't take him for a run in Onslow.
Regards
Glen

I spoke with both VicRoads & The RACV recently about the child restraint situation with cars that do not require seatbelts in Victoria. Both confirmed that there is no exception to new child restraint laws.
My 8 year old can ride in my Series 1 but my 6 year old cannot.
You can get by with a lap/sash above the age of 4 if they are in a booster seat, below that age you need a point behind the seat to attach the child restraint to.
I am concerned about my kids safety but would like to be able to occasionally take them out in the Series 1.

As an aside, I've recently researched 7-seater cars in Australia because I'm about to replace my Ford Territory.
It turns out that virtually all 7 seaters (not people carriers) do not have child restraint points in the 3rd row ! The seats are too small for adults but you cannot legally carry children under the age of 4. Our 6 year old has a booster seat that needs a restraint point so he cannot go into the 3rd row unless we change to the foam type booster.

3rd row restraints :-
Prado No
Sorrento No
Pathfinder No (not sure about the latest release)
Kluger No
Landcruiser No
Dodge Journey No (plus made in Mexico)
Hyundai Santa Fe No
Challenger No
Captiva didn't check because too small
Territory YES the only one

Some can have a bar fitted across the back for the restraint points but you lose the little luggage space there is. The Challenger was hopeless, centre mid row belt was above the third row, no 3rd row restraints and from memory the mid row 60/40 split was the wrong way round!

Problem is the Terri is too thirsty but hopefully the diesel (TDV6.... fingers crossed) will be out in Jan/Feb.

Colin

the seatbelt mounts from a series III bolt straight up to a II, the hardest ones to sort are the ones at shoulder height but an appropriate bolt anchored to at least a 50x50x3mm plate with radius ground corners and .5mm 45 degree chamfers on the inner edge is sufficient for ADR requirements. Looks ugly but it works.