Number of seats

[kurenadvore]

Hello everyone,

I want to ask question not related to Saxo, but to VW Transporter. We are going to buy Transporter, which is basically normal panel van. Just three seats in the front.
The question is, can I add in future another three or just two seats? I know, that this kind of transporters can be bought, so can I convert classic van into "crew van"?
What will be needed, V5 modification, higher/lower insurance, higher/lower road tax?

Or should I just fit those seats in a not to tell anyone? There are no windows on the side panels, so no one can see it..

Thank you for any hints in advance...

[K17NEY]

Yes. When you say classic, What do you mean, A bay?

[kurenadvore]

Better show than describe..

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9895/ttrans.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/ttrans.jpg/)

And as the picture says..

[craig180]

You can add any number of seats up to 11 iirc but will need to inform DVLA and more than likely have a VOSA check to confirm it's safe, unless you use one of these pro installers that issue a certificate of worthyness with the mod

[kurenadvore]

I see...
Hm, and I presume, that DVLA wont causing troubles, but VOSA inspectors arent friendly folks at all...

So what do you sufggest? How should I continue, what are my options? I never see the V5 document in my life, is there clearly written about number of seats?
Need to gain as much info as I can. I am new to british laws, so I am looking forward to any help..

And another thing, how does it effect my road tax or insurance?

thanks again..

[craig180]

I see...
Hm, and I presume, that DVLA wont causing troubles, but VOSA inspectors arent friendly folks at all...

So what do you sufggest? How should I continue, what are my options? I never see the V5 document in my life, is there clearly written about number of seats?
Need to gain as much info as I can. I am new to british laws, so I am looking forward to any help..

And another thing, how does it effect my road tax or insurance?

thanks again..

Yeah, number of seats is on the V5

From what I understand, any front facing seats have to have belts that conform to EU regs but if you have side facing or rear facing seats the same rules don't apply and you can get away with no belts, or to keep the MOT station happy simple lap belts!

[LSOfreak]

i was asking about this once for adding extra seats into a bedford rascal lol

[Lionsden]

I did this only the opposite, I removed two seats, fitted storage space, hob, grill, sink etc, and re-registered my 4x4 as a motor-caravan, I sent loads of pictures of my work off with the V5 ammended. I was expecting to have to have it inspected, but they didn't need to. I suspect that they would definatley have it inspected if more seats were being added. There was a similar post on piston heads the other day, same van VW transporter, only the guy had had all the work done, and was just in the process of re-registering it as a dual purpose vehicle. Not sure on how insurance and tax will be affected in your case, with mine the tax stayed the same (I expected it to come down) but the insurance was half the price of what it was before conversion. You should be able to get a list of requirements from the DVLA, on how to do it, there was for converting to a motor-caravan.