Thread: Where can I get Seat Belts fitted

Seat belts were initially only required in the front seats, so this is not surprising. And yes, I recommend fitting them to all seating positions!

But legally they may not be required in some cases, although this will depend on the exact date of the vehicle and what state the vehicle is in.

As far as I am aware, there has never been retrospective legislation on seat belts. In fact, retrospective legislation on vehicle equipment of any kind is extremely rare - the only blanket one I can recall is the requirement for rear reflectors in the mid fifties. Complicating the matter is that until the adoption of Australian Design rules by the states and territories (gradually from about 1973-1980!), vehicle equipment was on a state by state basis.

For example, when I moved my 2a from NT to NSW registration in 1967, I had to fit a second windscreen wiper, as this was required in NSW for 1961, but not in NT.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As far as I am aware, there has never been retrospective legislation on seat belts. In fact, retrospective legislation on vehicle equipment of any kind is extremely rare -

Not quite 'seat belts' but child restraints are fully retrospective. Until they are old enough (or weigh enough) to be out of a child restraint they cannot be in a vehicle without a proper child restraint which requires suitable mounting points.


Colin

Hi Colin

Would you be able to tell me the size of the bolts the mounts on your Dormobile use.

Cheers

Steve

Originally Posted by gromit

Not quite 'seat belts' but child restraints are fully retrospective. Until they are old enough (or weigh enough) to be out of a child restraint they cannot be in a vehicle without a proper child restraint which requires suitable mounting points.


Colin

Yes! Good point. But it does not apply to all vehicles. I do seem to remember as well that one state (WA) does not allow even older children to travel in vehicles without seat belts.

But both of these apply to the carriage of children, not specifically to the vehicle. They say that if you carry children you must have restraints, not that you can't register a car without these.

So this is not exactly a retrospective requirement.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

... In fact, retrospective legislation on vehicle equipment of any kind is extremely rare - the only blanket one I can recall is the requirement for rear reflectors in the mid fifties. ...

Very true!

One that might apply in all States, is the requirement to have a reflectorised number plate,

Cheers Charlie

PS This is a wild guess on my part.

Originally Posted by chazza

Very true!

One that might apply in all States, is the requirement to have a reflectorised number plate,

Cheers Charlie

PS This is a wild guess on my part.

I don't think that it is a requirement as such - all states now, I think, issue all number plates as reflectorised ones, but I don't think there is any requirement to replace non-reflectorised ones, although there would be very few of these about today. (For newcomers to Australia, all number plates are issued by the state or territory authority)