Carrying passengers in horsebox living

[Barlow]

I have a 6.5t horsebox with small living that is currently being upgraded. I’m considering putting a three point properly fixed seatbelt in my living so I can carry an extra passenger rear facing.

I have sourced a seatbelt that is up to U.K. standards and I have a professional happy to fit it for me.

I have spoken to my insurance company and they are happy with the proposed approach so long as it is fitted to DVLA standards. They have said I do not need to get the seatbelt inspected or approved by DVLA (I wonder if they mean DVSA)

A couple of questions:

1. My plating doesn’t list the number of passengers I can carry - would adding an extra seat capable of taking a passenger be a “notifiable alteration” that I would need to notify DVSA about?

2. What else might I need to do / consider to make sure that this is all legit and I’m not going to get fined if pulled over?

 

[Birker2020]

Carrying passengers in horseboxes

www.gov.uk

Whilst there is no specific legal limit to the number of passengers carried, the manufacturer will probably specify the maximum number that the vehicle is designed for and if that is exceeded, Regulation 100 of the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 or Section 40a of The Road Traffic Act 1991 may again apply. It is also important that you confirm the number of passengers and the manner in which they will be carried with your insurance company.

 

[Rowreach]

In the days when we fitted out boxes, I'm pretty sure the only thing we did (apart from using kite marked seatbelts, was fit them to forward or rear facing seats. In a cut through they were usually behind the driver or the passenger either side of the gap. Quite a lot of people asked for them.

 

[Beausmate]

Give the DVSA a call. I've generally found them pretty helpful.

 

[Barlow]

Carrying passengers in horseboxes

www.gov.uk

Whilst there is no specific legal limit to the number of passengers carried, the manufacturer will probably specify the maximum number that the vehicle is designed for and if that is exceeded, Regulation 100 of the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 or Section 40a of The Road Traffic Act 1991 may again apply. It is also important that you confirm the number of passengers and the manner in which they will be carried with your insurance company.

Thanks, I had already seen this hence checking my plating and speaking to my insurance company.