Modified and non-standard vehicles

Adding or removing seats

Find out what guidelines you need to follow if you want to add, remove or replace seats in your vehicle.

Any change to the seating capacity of a vehicle must be carried out in accordance with Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) guidelines.

Adding 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).
 


Removing seats

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
  • when the vehicle was manufactured

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


Replacing seats

Whether or not you need a VASS approval certificate when replacing seats depends on the type of work done.
 


How to advise DTP

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:

You don't need to make an appointment.