Ask an expert

I own a van and have recently found a couch that fits perfectly in the back. How legal is it to have this in the back of my van and does it require seat belts?

I have a back seat already and it doesn't need seatbelts (I pass my warrant without them).

How can I go about this?

Matt

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

As long a vehicle remains un-modified it can be used in its original configuration.

However, the fitting of a couch into the rear of your van would be considered to be a modification and therefore it would require a Low Volume certificate.

To be honest this would be a waste of time even trying to attain as the couch is not an approved seat.

If an approved seat was to be installed you would then require seat belts to be fitted.

Be careful Matt, you don't want your mates getting injured with an insecure and illegal seat in the van.

hi, if someone were just to put a couch in the back of a van, possibly bolt it down but not get it certified and without seatbelts, what sort of fine would they be looking at getting? fine for the passengers or the driver? and demerits if the fine is for the driver? i am just wondering as my friend is getting a van and thinking of putting a couch in the back.

Tell your friend to not even go there. The fine for each unrestrained passenger aged over 14 is $150 (they incur the fine), but the driver can also be fined $150 for each unrestrained passenger aged 14 and under. On top of that the driver may receive 35 demerits for careless use of a motor vehicle. But all of this pales into significance compared to the emotional and physical cost of death or injury to the passengers if they are unrestrained in the event of an accident. As per the earlier post, for safety reasons it is illegal to fit a couch in a van so just don't do it. If your friend wants to carry passengers, the best advice is to buy a van that has factory-fitted seats.