Thread: Removing rear seats 110 Roadworthy issue

I looked up the relevant regulation for Queensland VSI L 5.1 which states the following

Regards

XDrive

Vehicle Standards Instruction (Light Vehicle 5.1)
Permanent and Temporary Removal of Seats from Light Motor Vehicles Released July 2005
Updated May 2014
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) regularly receives questions from vehicle owners and modifiers about the requirements for permanent and temporary changes to the seating capacity of a vehicle. If a change is classed as permanent, it is a modification and must be certified by an Approved Person. However, if the seating is only changed for a short period, it may be classed as temporary and is not classed as a modification. But how do you know what is temporary and permanent?
The key question that needs to be answered when assessing the removal of seats is whether the vehicle is permanently modified (the seats are removed for an indefinite period or are not expected to be refitted) or has it just been reconfigured in accordance with the manufacturers various options.
? For vehicles fitted with quick release seating attachments as original equipment, temporary removal of the seats is acceptable. A Modification Plate does not need to be fitted. This is commonly the case for four wheel drives and people movers.
? For vehicles fitted with bolt in seating structures, no approval by an Approved Person is necessary for the temporary removal of seats, provided the category of the vehicle does not change as a result of the seating reduction.
? For vehicles with the seating structures permanently removed, the modification must be approved by an AP and a Modification Plate must be fitted for the reduction in seating capacity.
Note: If the modification is permanent, any change in vehicle category must also be taken into consideration prior to the fitting of the Modification Plate.
Certificate of Inspection or Safety Certification Inspection
At the time of a Safety Certificate inspection, the vehicle must be returned to the manufacturer's original seating configuration or have a Modification Plate fitted for the seating configuration as presented.
Further Information
Vehicle Operators seeking technical advice on vehicle modifications should contact an Approved Person for advice. For contact details of Approved Persons in your area, please contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80. Should an Approved Person require further assistance, they should contact Vehicle Standards and Modification Advice.

Does that mean that anyone with an 8 seat people mover cannot legally remove the two rear seats and make it into a camper unit?

Originally Posted by XDrive

I looked up the relevant regulation for Queensland VSI L 5.1 which states the following

Regards

XDrive

Vehicle Standards Instruction (Light Vehicle 5.1)
Permanent and Temporary Removal of Seats from Light Motor Vehicles Released July 2005
Updated May 2014

Thanks. That clarifies your earlier post. Your advice in that earlier post was for a specific set of circumstances. Not applicable to all.

How often are Safety Certificate Inspections required?

Thanks for the info X Drive.
Bugger, looks like I may have been able to save $200, but I was permanently removing the seats as I've no need of them, and it give me more storage space (also have my parrot in the back in his cage along side my dog when touring).
Oh well, at least I'm now fully covered.
Thats now the definitive info for QLD registered vehicles.
Good on you.
Ken

So, if one left the seatbelts in place but only removed the seats, would it be classed as temporary with no compliance plate required?

That's what I did with my P38A when I fitted the fridge. With the L322, I've just folded the seat up and left it in.

Originally Posted by p38arover

So, if one left the seatbelts in place but only removed the seats, would it be classed as temporary with no modification plate required?

That's what I did with my P38A when I fitted the fridge. With the L322, I've just folded the seat up and left it in.

That is the way I read it.

Ah... rulemakers and rulekeepers ....

I guess if I was ever asked where the back seat our of my 110 was (and I never have been even for an annual pink slip),

it would be at the upholsterers for recovering

I could have used excuses as well, but I did the legal thing due to the risk of not being insured if I was involved in a major accident. That's the only reason.
Ken