Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

TonyBrooks · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 108 Location: Maidenhead

I have a 1971 car with just two front seats, it is presently fitted with rally full harness belts.
My son intends driving his new bride from the church to the reception in it and of course a full harness belt and a wedding dress do not really go together!
Ignoring the safety aspect for a moment, I believe I can remove the belts completely and as such it then becomes legal not to wear seat belts. My understanding is that it only became compulsory to wear belt in 1983.
Can any one confirm this as I am receiving conflicting advice and an examination of various official sites do not seem to really cover this point.

Thanks
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Dinalpin Berlinette (Alpine Renault A110)

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

The requirement to fit front seat belts applies to all new cars from 1968 so as your car was made in 1971, it must have had seat belts fitted from new and the law passed in 1983 requires you to wear them.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

Fatbloke · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:23 pm Post subject:

Yep. what he said. only if the car was built without seatbelts new, can you get away without wearing them.

AND if someone has fitted belts to pre 68 cars they have to be worn.
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Mike,

A Fatbloke in a Herald.

TonyBrooks · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 108 Location: Maidenhead

Tanks for that - I did overlook the fact that my car was originally built in Mexico (a Dinalpin) - do the rules still apply to non UK built cars?
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Dinalpin Berlinette (Alpine Renault A110)

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

I would imagine the rules would apply and belts would need to be fitted to conform with our laws. The DVLA would keep you right.
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The Clan Chieftain

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:16 pm Post subject:

mikeC · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:34 pm Post subject:

It certainly used to be 1965: I always avoided buying post-1964 cars for that very reason Laughing

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
In the UK, a requirement for front anchorage points was introduced in 1965, followed by the requirement in 1968 to fit three-point belts in the front outboard positions on all new cars and all existing cars back to 1965.
Interesting wording mentioning "outboard" but of course there were still bench seats available seating 3 in front at that time.
Compulsory fitment of Rear belts came in in 1987
Compulsory wearing of said belts came in (Front 1983, Rear 1991)
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

JohnDale · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:21 am Post subject:

mikeC · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 6:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks,JD. That confirms that cars registered before January 1st 1965 do not need seatbelts, but if fitted they must comply with the regulations (and must be worn at all times). All cars after that date must have seat belts fitted.
This must be one of the few regulations which apply retrospectively; I suppose twin rear lights is one off the few others.

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

Whisper it, but I often, if doing a short journey, just drape the harness over me and don't fasten it. Or don't wear it at all Cool

If it is a short journey it would be a very sad plod who booked the young lady in her wedding weeds.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:37 pm Post subject:

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

Or maybe just sad plods who hate picking peoples faces out of windscreens.......

JohnDale · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 10:21 am Post subject:

Living on an island where the roads were often alongside sea cliff, even after seat belts came in, no one wore them. In an accident(or a mistake with the road edge) it was more likely to need to escape from the vehicle to avoid drowning. Now it's as automatic as turning the ignition key to put on the belt.
Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.