International Vintage Volkswagen Forums

Hi

Can anyone tell me what year it became law to have seat belts fitted? I've searched the internet but all I seem to find is pages and pages about child's seats.
I've got an MOT booked for Monday, and although I want to fit seat belts, I haven't been able to find any as yet, and I don't know if a 63 car needs them for an MOT?

Also, where's a good place for parts? In the past I've used VW Heritage, but I desperately need some wiper blades. I've ordered some but they are out of stock at VW Heritage, along with a couple of other things I really need.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, I think 1967 was the point seat belts in the front became mandatory, it became mandatory for belts in the back much later. So by law you do not have to have seat belts. However once they are fitted they need to be upto scratch and they will be tested (MOT). You can choose from two point lap belts, 3 point static or inertia 3 point, the latter being the safest. There are numerous sites explaining/showing how they can be fitted. I've been through the same loop myself on both my 58 bug and my 63 bus. I went for 3 inertia in the front of my bug with lap belts in the back, on my bus I went for lap belts alround. Depends what you are looking for: period/stock look or maximum safety. This is a job you can do yourself or its relatively cheap to get someone to do it for you (as long as they know what they are doing). Suggested places to get your bits (I use): CoolAir, StatusVW and Custom and Commercial. All of which are on the net and they should cover all your needs.

You have to have front seat belts in all cars 1964 onwards. They were fitted at the factory from then on. If they have been fitted in your pre 1964 car, they are part of the MOT test. :wink:

Don't fit them to your nice 1963 car :!:

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Thanks for this information.
I'd love to not fit belts. The thing is I have a little boy so I need one for him.
There's a thought I suppose, 'one for him'...... we'll see.
Cheers

Agreed. I have them in my 63 (were fitted when I bought it) as my daughter (9) enjoys travelling in this car : )
She cant travel anywhere in my 50 as I have not, and will not fit seatbelts in it.

As your car already has the mounts factory fitted so you have no drilling to do! and you have a child I would also fit them even though they have never been there also 😃

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January 1965, actually.

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I have the same problem with my 60 cabrio. It has no seatbelt mounts, my my two small children can't wait to go in it.

My solution is to fit small 3-point harnesses on the rear underseat body mounts, that way they can be removed without leaving any damage/welded mounts. (also means they can be removed prior to each MOT test).

The front seat passengers can go without! any how the seat back will fold forward in a collision, so i'm not sure that lapbelts would make that much difference anyway?

When did seat belts become mandatory equipment on United States motor vehicles?

The U.S. National Highway Safety Bureau first required automobile manufacturers to install lap belts for all seats and shoulder belts for front seats in 1968. However, most Americans did not regularly use safety belts until 1984, when the first state laws were passed mandating seat belt use.
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