Specialist tests for coaches and buses

Seat belt installation tests

Manufacturers of some buses, coaches and minibuses must make sure their seat belts meet certain safety rules.

If your vehicle has additional seat belts fitted beyond those required by law, it must be tested if:

it’s a private passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats and was first used on or after 1 October 2001
it’s a public service vehicle

Private passenger vehicles registered before 1 October 2001 are exempt.

Buses made to carry standing passengers are also exempt, but if they have seat belts these must be tested.

Public service vehicles that need a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) have their seat belts checked as part of this process.

You can get your passenger vehicle’s seat belt installation tested at one of the following centres:

Manufacturers can test their own seat belts as long as they have the right equipment and staff.

Testing seat belts is usually part of obtaining a COIF on new vehicles.

You can get more advice about testing your passenger vehicle’s seat belts from DVSA.