Motorhome Seatbelt Law: Everything You Need to Know

Being behind the wheel of a car and travelling without seatbelts is a complete legal no-go in the UK. Perhaps surprisingly, wearing seatbelts has only been compulsory here since 1983 for driver and front passengers in cars (and since 1991 for passengers in the rear).

But what about motorhomes? Does the same legal requirement apply?

Whether you’re a new motorhome owner or are thinking about becoming one, deciphering the nuances of the laws around motorhome driving – including seatbelts – might not be on your radar. Even more seasoned motorhome drivers might not be especially well-versed.

In this edition of our blog we delve into what motorhomers need to know regarding seat belts, including child seatbelt guidelines.

Critical safety

Since 2007, motorhome manufacturers have been legally obliged to install seatbelts for passengers outside of the driving cab. Since then, all seats must be equipped with seat belts, and wearing them is mandatory during travel (though there are a few exceptions).

Motorhome seatbelt regulations in the UK

Specific UK regulations hinge on your motorhome’s year of manufacture, with distinctions made for periods post-2006, post-1988, and pre-1988.

Post-2006:

• Identify designated travel seats (forward-facing and rearward facing).
• Ensure all seats have seat belts.
• Passengers must wear them during transit.
• Three-point belts for driver and specified passengers.
• At least two-point belts for others.

Post-1988:

• Older motorhomes require three-point seat belts for front seats.
• Other seats can have two or three-point belts.
• Wearing them is mandatory during transit.

Pre-1988:

• Mandatory seat belt use for driver and passenger in the front.
• Rear-seat passengers not legally required to wear seat belts.
• Speeding may lead to penalties.

Other seatbelt regulations and responsibilities

The Road Traffic Act 1988 governs passenger safety in vehicles, with specific regulations under Road Vehicles Regulations. You can refer to the UK government Department Of Transport website for more comprehensive motorhome laws and information, and to check whether there have been any alterations or additions to the current seatbelt legislation in the UK. But a couple of important facts are as follows:

Legally, it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts during transit. Failure to ensure they do so may result in fines. Side-facing passenger seats in the rear of a motorhome are not illegal – but the government advises against using them due to an increased risk of injury in the event of a frontal crash. Passengers with medical reasons for not wearing a seatbelt must provide a GP-issued exemption certificate.

Seatbelt exemptions

There are other exemptions, too – i.e. certain scenarios when the seat belt requirement does not apply. These are:

• Emergency vehicle drivers
• Reversing

Children and seatbelts

Protecting children in vehicles is of paramount importance, and therefore there are specific regulations which must be complied with, including age and height requirements.

Children under 12 years old or below 135cm (approx. 4-and-a-half feet tall) must use a child car seat or a booster seat with a three-point seatbelt. The seat must be compliant with European safety standards ECE R44/04 or R129. You should always check the motorhome’s compliance with seatbelt and child restraint requirements. In addition:

• Child restraints are not allowed on side-facing seats.
• Front passenger seat use requires deactivation of that seat’s airbag.
• Some child seats may need additional support like top straps.

The importance of seatbelts in ensuring personal safety is now pretty much universally acknowledged, whatever the vehicle being driven. Whether you’re in a car or a motorhome, the consequences of not wearing seatbelts can be truly dreadful in the event of a crash. The rules are not just there to make life difficult – they are there for protection. Be smart and always comply with the legal requirements when you are out and about in your motorhome.