Vehicle interior
7-1 Seats and seat anchorages
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. The vehicle is not fitted with a driver’s seat.
2. A seat is not attached to the vehicle structure by seat anchorages.
Condition and performance
3. A seat frame or seat structure has been weakened, eg due to damage, corrosion or excessive wear.
4. The adjustment mechanism of a driver’s seat:
a) does not operate, or
b) is worn, causing excessive movement of the seat.
5. The attachment of the seat to the seat anchorage is loose or weakened by damage.
6. The attachment of the seat anchorage to the vehicle structure is loose or weakened by damage.
7. There is corrosion damage (Note 1) within 150mm of a seat anchorage.
8. There is corrosion damage within 300mm of the anchorage of a seat with integrated seatbelt anchorages.
9. A driver’s seat is in such a condition that it does not allow the driver to have proper control of the vehicle.
Modification
10. A modification (Note 1) carried out after 1 March 1999 affects a seat or seat anchorage, and:
a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-1-1), and
b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:
i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or
ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card , or
iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.
Note 1 Definitions
Corrosion damage is where the metal has been eaten away, which is evident by pitting. The outward signs of such corrosion damage is typically displayed by the lifting or bubbling of paint. In extreme cases, the area affected by the corrosion damage will fall out and leave a hole.
Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.
Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.
Table 7-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is not required provided that: |
|---|---|
A replacement seat that is similar to the OE seat |
|
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is never required: |
|---|---|
Any modification for the purpose of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services |
|
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. A motor vehicle must be fitted with a driver’s seat.
2. A seat in a motor vehicle must be fitted to the vehicle structure by means of seat anchorages.
Condition and performance
3. Seats and seat anchorages must be safe, strong, in sound condition and compatible in strength with each other and with the vehicle structure.
4. The driver’s seat and its anchorages must be designed, constructed and maintained to enable the driver to have proper control of the vehicle.
5. Seats and seat anchorages must be securely attached to the vehicle structure.
Modification
6. A modification on or after 1 March 1999 to a seat or seat anchorage must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:
a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-1-1), and
b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.
Page amended 1 December 2016 (see amendment details).