What are the rules for using seatbelts in mini-buses, buses and coaches?
• Seat belt use is compulsory for adults and children in minibuses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight. If available, children of three years and above must use an appropriate child seat in these types of vehicles, but there is no obligation on anyone to provide them. • Seated passengers aged 14 years and above must use seat belts where they are fitted in all buses and coaches (that is, vehicles of over 2.54 tonnes weight when unladen). Regulations have yet to be made but they will require children under 14 years to use an appropriate child restraint if one is available. If there is no suitable child restraint, they must use the adult belt provided (although those under three years don’t have to use an adult belt and can travel unrestrained). The operator is not required to provide a suitable child restraint. • There is nothing in law to prevent child restraints being used in a bus or coach provided they can be fitted. However, these vehicles may only have lap belts and most child seats n
• Seat belt use is compulsory for adults and children in minibuses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight. If available, children of three years and above must use the correct child seat/booster for their weight in these types of vehicles, but there is no obligation on anyone to provide them. • Seated passengers aged 14 years and above must use seat belts where they are fitted in all other buses and coaches (ie those over 2.54 tonnes weight unladen). Regulations have yet to be made but they will require children under 14 years to use a seat belt or, where relevant an appropriate child restraint if one is available. Those under three years don’t have to use an adult belt and can travel unrestrained. The operator is not required to provide a suitable child restraint. • There is nothing in law to prevent child restraints being used in a bus or coach provided they can be fitted. However, these vehicles may only have lap belts and most child seats need lap and diagonal belts in order to be secure
