Correct as at 17th April 2024. It may be superseded at any time.
Extract taken: from Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > In-service certification (WoF and CoF) > Heavy vehicles > Vehicle interior > Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages
7-5 Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment (Note 2)
1. Refer to general vehicle pages.
2. A class NB or NC vehicle is not fitted with seatbelts as specified in Table 7-5-7, and the requirements for specific vehicles in Table 7-5-4 (general vehicle pages) are not met.
3. A motorhome is not fitted with seatbelts as specified in Table 7-5-7.
4. A three-point seatbelt imported and distributed by BVL (Business Ventures Limited) and manufactured by Changzhou BWD, China or Jiang Su Jiu Jiu Traffic Facilities Co. Ltd. is installed (See Figure 7-5-1 for samples to help identify the seatbelts).
5. A re-webbed seatbelt is fitted without evidence of exemption from requirements by Waka Kotahi.
Condition
6. Refer to general vehicle pages.
Performance
7. Refer to general vehicle pages.
Modification and repair
8. A modification or repair since 1 April 2002 affects a seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage and:
a) is not excluded from the requirements for HVS certification (Table 7-5-8), or
b) the modification is not for the purpose of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services, or
c) is missing proof of HVS certification, ie the vehicle has been modified or repaired, and:
i. no LANDATA record has been entered, or
ii. no valid LT400 form from an HVS certifier of category HVEC or HMCD has been presented.
9. The seatbelt assembly has been removed after it was rejected for one or more reasons for rejection due to Condition or Performance (above), whether or not the seatbelt is required to be fitted.
Note 1
On NZ Army Pinzgauer vehicles, the belts/harnesses fitted in the rear are attached to load anchorage points certified to NZS 5444. They are not considered to be seatbelts for the purpose of CoF inspections.
Note 2
Except as provided by Table 7-5-8, item 5, any seatbelt fitted to a seating position of a vehicle—either having been entry certified (as originally manufactured or modified) or subsequently specialist certified—must remain and be restored when damaged. It cannot be removed on the grounds that Table 7-5-7 doesn’t require a seatbelt.
Table 7-5-7. Seatbelt requirements for heavy vehicles (first registered in New Zealand from 1 April 2002) and all heavy motorhomes (first registered anytime)
Vehicle class | Seating position | Manufactured3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
before 1 October 2003 | from 1 October 2003 | ||
NB, NC | Front outer and driver’s | – | R22 |
Front middle | – | L | |
Rear outer1 | – | – | |
Rear middle1 | – | – | |
| Motorhome | Front outer and driver's | – | R2 |
| Front middle | – | L | |
| Rear outer1, 4 | – | R1 or R2 or L | |
| Rear middle4 | – | L or S or R1 or R2 | |
| Rear sideways-facing1, 4 | - | L | |
1 A sideways-facing seating position in a vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 October 2002 may be fitted with a seatbelt of any type, and in a vehicle first registered from 1 October 2002 may be fitted with a seat belt that is a lapbelt only.
2 Front type R1 seatbelts may remain fitted if they were fitted as OE and have a declaration issued by a certifier, or a plate affixed to the vehicle in a position approved by Waka Kotahi.
3 For a motorhome, manufactured means motor vehicles converted to motorhomes as well as manufactured as motorhomes.
4 Rear seating positions: at least as many lap (type L) or lap-and-diagonal (type R1 or R2) seatbelts as there are sleeping berths minus the number of front seating positions.
Table 7-5-8. Certification requirements for seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages
HVS certification is required | HVS certification is not required |
|---|---|
1. Retrofitting of seatbelt anchorages, including seats with integrated seatbelts (for Pinzgauers see (Note 1)). 2. Fitting of an alternative type of seatbelt. | 1. Fitting of or modification to seatbelts, when: a) the modification is approved by the seatbelt or vehicle manufacturer, or b) the modification is temporary for the accommodation of a child restraint, and does not: i. affect the performance of the child restraint, or ii. cause injury to a vehicle occupant, or iii. cause damage to the seatbelt. 2. Top-tether anchorage for a child seat or harness, when the installation has been carried out in accordance with the instructions of the seat or harness manufacturer. 3. Fitting of unmodified seatbelts. 4. Retrofitting type-tested rear seatbelt anchorages. 5. Removal of seatbelts (full or partial) where the seating position has been removed (Note 2). 6. Any repair or modification not listed in the left-hand column unless the vehicle inspector considers that certification is required because the modification or repair has affected the vehicle’s safety performance (a second opinion from an expert may be needed, eg the manufacturer’s representative, or a reputable workshop). |
Figure 7-5-1. Identifying seatbelts by BVL (Business Ventures Limited) and manufactured by Changzhou BWD, China or Jiang Su Jiu Jiu Traffic Facilities Co. Ltd.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. Refer to general vehicle pages.
2. A class NB or NC vehicle must be fitted with seatbelts as specified in Table 7-5-7.
3. A motorhome manufactured on or after 1 October 2003 or a motor vehicle converted into a motorhome on or after 1 October 2003 must be fitted with seatbelts as specified in Table 7-5-7.
Permitted equipment
4. Refer to general vehicle pages.
Condition
5. Refer to general vehicle pages.
Performance
6. Refer to general vehicle pages.
Modification
7. Refer to general vehicle pages.
8. The fitting of an alternative type of seatbelt, or a modification on or after 1 April 2002 that affects a seatbelt anchorage in a heavy vehicle, must be inspected and certified by an HVS certifier of category HVEC or HMCD unless the vehicle is:
a) excluded from the requirement for HVS certification (Table 7-5-8), and
b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.
Page amended 1 April 2023 (see amendment details)