I reckon it's crap. Probably something the poor buggers in Queensland have to deal with.
Apparently it de rates the carrying capacity of the vehicle, which seems like nonsense to me.
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I reckon it's crap. Probably something the poor buggers in Queensland have to deal with.
Apparently it de rates the carrying capacity of the vehicle, which seems like nonsense to me.
This may help:
Temporary seat removal - Updated
But I would suggest a quiet enquiry of relevant body before doing too much
Thanks fellas. My seats are removed and long gone , barrier fitted. Quick browse through vic roads site and some googling shows that deems the car unroadworthy. I'll have abother look when I'm more sober.
That doesn't make sense. The third row seats are supposed to be removable (it's a feature of most vehicles) to facilitate more load carrying space.
I'll be very keen to know what you find out because I reckon there'll be thousands driving around in Prados, Patrols, Pajeros, Landcruisers, even Ford Territory's who have no idea their car is unroadworthy because they have taken the rear seats out.
Drew I think the keywords in there are permanent and temporary.
If you fit a cargo barrier and a set of draws , fridge etc... Is that considers as permanent ??
" Vehicles with the permanent removal of seating structures must be approved by an Approved Person and a Modification Plate must be fitted for the reduction in seating capacity. In this circumstance, any change in vehicle category must also be taken into consideration prior to the fitting of the Modification Plate."
Worth ringing VIC roads Hodge on this one, think its a grey area.
I'm sure here in NSW if its plated as a 7 seater it must have 7 seats in it to legally pass the pick slip for rego, and they can knock back rego if the seat is not there.
But as you mentioned mate, it all seems to be qld related.
But if I have all the seats and belts and everything to put back in and I can take the cargo barrier out I would say its temporary.
I sort of understand the point that it no longer can seat seven (so no squashing 4 across the back seat and an extra in the front) but common sense ought to prevail.......you would think......"but officer, it's a seven seater" :-/
Reading the above link in Victoria I think we are fine...
"The following comment has been provided by Vic Roads.
This issue has been blown out of all proportion. There is no reason seats that are designed to be removable cannot be removed. Doing this DOES NOT alter the seating CAPACITY of the vehicle. Seating capacity is defined by the Australian Design Rules as the maximum number of seating positions for which the vehicle is DESIGNED - ie not the number of seats actually fitted at any point in time.
The Vehicle Standards Instruction L 5.0 has been provided by Queensland Transport and is reproduced in part:
For vehicles fitted with quick release seating attachments as original equipment, temporary removal of the seats is acceptable. A Modification Plate does not need to be fitted. This is commonly the case for four wheel drives and people movers.
For vehicles fitted with bolt in seating structures, no approval by an Approved Person is necessary for the temporary removal of seats, provided the category of the vehicle does not change as a result of the seating reduction.
Vehicles with the permanent removal of seating structures must be approved by an Approved Person and a Modification Plate must be fitted for the reduction in seating capacity. In this circumstance, any change in vehicle category must also be taken into consideration prior to the fitting of the Modification Plate. The vehicle operator's insurance company and Queensland Transport should be advised of relative changes to the vehicle."
Never really thought about this TBH. My rear seats are lonnnnng gone.