Any change to the seating capacity of a vehicle must be carried out in accordance with VicRoads guidelines.
You should ensure that the vehicle is suitable before installing additional seats. There must be enough room in the vehicle for the additional seats and occupants and the load carrying capacity must be able to accommodate the weight of the new seats and occupants.
Additional seats must be securely anchored to the structure of the vehicle and seat belts must be firmly fixed according to the strength and location requirements of applicable Australian Design Rules.
Seats are divided into three seat categories:
These seats will generally change the category of vehicle from a goods carrying to a passenger vehicle, which are subject to higher safety standards. An engineer's report (VASS Approval Certificate) must be provided to show that the modified vehicle meets the higher safety standards.
Category 2 seats are restricted to use by children up to 12 years of age and weighing less than 39kg.
Category 3 seats are restricted to use by children up to 8 years of age and weighing less than 27kg.
Seats in these categories do not require an Approval Certificate but must be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. You should consult an engineer if instructions are not available. Category 2 and 3 seats do not change the seating description of the vehicle and therefore you do not need to advise VicRoads of the change.
The requirements for removing seats will vary depending on:
- the original number of seating positions
- the new number of seating positions
- which seats are removed
- when the vehicle was manufactured
An Approval Certificate is not required if:
- the number of original seating positions was less than 10
- 10 or more seating positions have been reduced to 2 - 3 seats in the front row only
- 10 or more seating positions have been reduced to 4 - 9 seats in a vehicle manufactured before 1970
- more than 12 seating positions have been reduced to 10-12 seats in a vehicle manufactured before 1986
- the number of seating positions does not reduce to below 13
If the modification is not listed above an Approval Certificate is required.
An Approval Certificate is not required for a replacement seat provided:
- the seat is offered by the manufacturer as an option and is replacing and existing seat
- the original seat mountings are used
- appropriate seat belts are fitted.
An Approval Certificate is required if:
- the replacement seat was not offered by the manufacturer as an option
- the vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1969.
If the modification has changed the seating description of the vehicle or an Approval Certificate is required then you must visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre with:
An appointment is not required.
For more information on vehicle modification guidelines:
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