Seat belts fitted in minibuses, buses and coaches - MOT testing

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MOT Testing-Seat Belts fitted in Minibuses, Buses and Coaches

MOT leaflet

This leaflet contains important information for anyone who owns or has responsibility for a minibus, bus or coach with more than 8 passenger seats and with seat belts fitted to forward-facing passenger seats.

As from 1 August 1998 almost all such vehicles will be required to undergo a special once-only test as their next MOT to check that passenger seat belts in the vehicle have been safely installed.

Coaches, buses and minibuses will not need the special test if all their seat belts:

  • were fitted by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and which have been formally type approved when installed (which in practice covers most seat-belts fitted at the time of manufacture);
  • are fitted in the front passenger seats in minibuses (specified passenger seats*); or
  • are fitted to exposed forward facing seats* on coaches first used on or after 1/10/88; or
  • are disabled persons belts*.

(* as defined in regulation 47 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended)

If you need to confirm that a special test is necessary, please contact your local Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) testing station.

The defects in installation which will cause seat belt installations to fail the test are indicated below.

Testing Arrangements

The special MOT test applies to all affected vehicles in MOT test Classes IV, V and VI and may only be carried out at the following specially authorised testing stations:

  • Class V MOT testing stations;
  • VOSA testing stations;
  • VOSA PSV designated premises.

There will be a higher fee for the special MOT test and vehicles will temporarily be reclassified into the following MOT test classes:

  • Class IV becomes Class IVA;
  • Class V becomes Class VA; and
  • Class VI becomes Class VIA.

Vehicles will revert to their original MOT test Class for subsequent MOT tests unless additional seat belts are fitted. In these circumstances, the vehicle will have to be submitted for a further Class IVA, VA or VIA MOT test and be liable to the higher fee.

The special MOT test and any subsequent MOT tests for affected Class IV, V and VI vehicles will check the condition of all seat belts.

Roadside enforcement

Both the quality of seat belt installations and their condition will be subject to roadside and other checks by the VOSA and police from 1 August 1998.

Items which will cause the vehicle to fail the mot seat belt installation check

Floor Mounted Seat Belts

  • Incorrect size or grade of bolt used in anchorage.
  • Missing or incorrect size of reinforcement plates.
  • Lower anchorages less than 320 mm apart.

Seat Mounted Seat Belts

  • Incorrect size or grade of bolt used in anchorage.
  • Missing or incorrect size of reinforcement plates or load spreading washers.
  • Upper anchorage point less than 475 mm above an uncompressed seat cushion.
  • Upper anchorage less than 110 mm from centre line of seat.
  • Lower anchorages less than 320 mm apart.
  • Looped belts with more than 25 mm of free movement.
  • Pulling the belts causes the cushion to lift or be significantly compressed.

Seat Structure

  • Holes drilled in tubular seat frames to attach seat belts unless traceable, with documentation, to a type approval test.
  • Loose clamps.
  • Legs with angled claw fittings not secured with additional mounting bolts.
  • Cracked or broken seat legs.
  • "H" pattern legs on seats with integral seat belts, not reinforced with buttresses and diagonal braces.
  • Belts mounted to wooden seat frames that are not reinforced.

Coach Rear Seat Assembly

  • Seat belts not attached to a load bearing member.
  • Member not connected to the structural chassis of the vehicle.
  • Incorrect size or grade of bolt used in anchorage.

Wooden Floors

  • Belts mounted directly to wooden floors without suitable reinforcement.
  • Incorrect size or grade of bolt used in anchorage.
  • Missing or incorrect size of reinforcement plates.
  • Seats, with seat belts attached, that are attached to an unreinforced wooden floor.

General

  • Seat belts repaired (e.g. webbing knotted or sealed by burning).
  • Hand rails on tops of bus type seats not suitably padded.
  • Lap section of belt must lie across the wearers pelvis and not the stomach.
  • Seat belt must not contact sharp edges that could cut or fray the webbing.
  • Insecure tracking or tracking not attached as per manufacturers instructions.
  • Retractors that protrude dangerously into the passenger gangway.

Further information

The following further information is available:

General Guidance on best practice

  • Advice to Users and Operators of Minibuses and Coaches Carrying Children (ref VSE 1/96)
  • Advice on Retro-fitting Seat Belts to Minibuses and Coaches (ref VSE 2/96)

Both are DETR publications available free of charge from:

Vehicle Standards and Engineering Division 6,
Zone 2/06, Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
http://www.dft.gov.uk/

Other information sources

  • MOT Matters Sitting Safely (Video showing common installation problem areas)
  • MOT Seat Belt Installation Check (Information booklet containing detail of MOT test standards)

Both are available at a charge from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) (either Training Services on 01179 543291 or Welcombe House on 01792 458888) and VOSA Testing Stations.

The information booklet will also be made available on http://www.dft.gov.uk/ and on http://www.vosa.gov.uk/

  • Details of the MOT test standards will also be contained for MOT testers in amendments to the publications Public Service Vehicle Inspection Manual and MOT Inspection Manual Private Bus Testing (available at a charge from the Stationery Office see telephone directory for nearest office)

If you are in any doubt as to whether your vehicle will pass the MOT test you are encouraged to ask your seat belt installer for confirmation. VOSA and specially authorised MOT testing stations can also offer advice on a commercial basis (see telephone directory for local contacts). Your nearest VOSA testing station is listed in the directory under Transport, Department of.