Removing, adding and replacing seats

There must be enough room in the vehicle for the additional seats and occupants. The vehicle must also have sufficient load carrying capacity to safely accommodate the weight of the new seats, and the additional occupants and their luggage.

Additional seats and corresponding seatbelts must be securely anchored to the structure or structural part of the vehicle capable of meeting the requirements of the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

Seats are divided into three categories

Category 1 - Seats for use by adults

These seats will generally change the category of vehicle from a goods carrying to a passenger vehicle, which is subject to higher safety standards.

When adding Category 1 seats a VASS Approval Certificate must be provided to show that the modified vehicle meets the standards for registration.

You will need to advise VicRoads of this change.

Category 2 and 3 - Seats for use by children

Category 2 seats can only be used by children up to 12 years of age and weighing less than 39kg.

Category 3 seats can only be used by children up to 8 years of age and weighing less than 27kg.

The installation of Category 2 and 3 seats does not require a VASS Approval Certificate but must be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. A VASS Signatory should be consulted if installation instructions are not available and/or to ensure compliance with the ADR requirements.

Vehicle Standards Bulletins for the manufacture and installation of additional seating VSB 5, 5A and 5B are available on the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts (DITRDCA) website.

The installation of Category 2 and 3 seats does not change the seating description of the vehicle. You are not required to present the vehicle to VicRoads for inspection.

Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes

A VASS Approval Certificate is required for any seating change for vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes.

The requirements for removing seats will vary depending on:

• the gross vehicle mass (GMV) of the vehicle
• the original vehicle category
• the new vehicle category
• which seats are removed
• when the vehicle was manufactured

Where a seat has been removed, the corresponding seatbelt must also be removed.

Modifications requiring a VASS Approval Certificate

A VASS Approval Certificate is required:

• for vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes
• for light vehicles with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less manufactured after 1969, the permanent removal of a Category 1 seat
• to accommodate wheelchair seated occupants where Category 1 seats require removal, or
• to convert a vehicle to a motorhome (refer to VSI 5 – Conversion of vehicles to motor homes on the Vehicle Standards Information page (External link)).

The removal of seats must be assessed by a VASS signatory when there is a vehicle ADR category change.

Some common examples of vehicle ADR category changes include:

• a bus with 13 seats or more reduced to 12 seats or less
• a bus with 10 seats or more reduced to 9 seats or less, or
• reducing the seating capacity of a passenger vehicle or bus which changes its ADR vehicle category from a passenger carrying vehicle to a goods carrying vehicle

A vehicle is considered a goods carrying vehicle if it can transport more weight in goods than it can seated passengers (including the driver) at the same time.

This is calculated by taking the number of Category 1 seating positions and multiplying each one by 68kg. If the total weight of the seated occupants is less than 50 percent of the difference between the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and unladen mass (tare) – it is considered a goods carrying vehicle.

Modifications not requiring a VASS Approval Certificate

A VASS Approval Certificate is not required for:

• light motor vehicles with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes and under, manufactured prior to 1969. The vehicle must continue to meet the requirements in the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021.
• temporary removal of seats. This includes quick release seats and removal of seats that do not change a vehicle’s ADR category

You will need to advise VicRoads when you permanently reduce the number of seats in a vehicle. Further information is available below. See 'Advising VicRoads'.

A VASS Approval Certificate is not required for a replacement seat provided:

• the replacement seat is offered by the manufacturer as an option for that make and model of vehicle to be used in that seating position; and
• the original seat mounting points, hardware and fasteners are used; and
• the seatbelts for the seating position are offered by the manufacturer for use with the replacement seat and the original seatbelt mounting points used
• the vehicle is manufactured before January 1, 1969

A VASS Approval Certificate is required if:

• The vehicle is over 4.5t or:
• The vehicle is 4.5t or less and manufactured on after 1 January 1969 and:
• the replacement seat was not offered by the manufacturer as an option for that vehicle; or
• the replacement seat is being installed in a position not provided by the manufacturer

If the modification has changed the number of seating positions in the vehicle, or a VASS Approval Certificate is required, then you must visit VicRoads Customer Service Centre with:

• evidence of identity
• the vehicle
• a VASS Approval Certificate, if required.

An appointment is not required.