The United Kingdom Requires
Seat Belts for School Transport

February 1998

Great Britian now requires seat belts on minibuses and coaches used in all forms of youth transport, specifically including school transport. The government has also allowed existing minibuses and coaches to be retrofitted, with the vehicles subject to annual inspection by the Ministry of Transport begining Aug. 1, 1998. The legislation was implemented in stages and only applies if certain operational characteristics are met.

The United Kingdom does not have a separate class of vehicles for school transportation. Instead, operators use vehicles used in other applications such as tour buses. For purposes of the seat belt law, a distinction is made between minibuses and coaches. These two types of vehicles are commonly used in youth, i.e. school, transport.

A minibus is a vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but not more than 16 seated passengers, in addition to the driver. A coach is a type of large bus constructed or adapted to carry more than 16 seated passengers, in addition to the driver. It must weigh more than 7.5 metric tonnes and be capable of attaining a speed of 60 mph. The law does not cover buses commonly used in public transport.

The new requirements apply to minibuses and coaches, whether or not privately owned or used for hire and reward. For all minibuses, regardless of age, and coaches first used on or after Oct. 1, 1988, the seat belt legislation took effect on Feb. 10, 1997. Coaches first used before Oct. 1, 1988 were required to comply by Feb. 10, 1998.

The seat belt legislation applies to organized journeys of three or more children on a trip in a minibus or coach. School outings, trips by youth organizations and voluntary organizations that transport children are all subject to the law.

To be covered children must be between the ages of 3 to 15 years of age inclusive. British law does not cover infants and toddlers. For the purposes of the law a seat belt is a minimum of a lap belt, though 3-point lap/shoulder systems may be used. The law further requires forward facing seats with one seat belt per child.

Webmaster note:
Additional information about seat belt developments in Great Britain, including Q & A about the basic law, retrofitting [Yes, the Brits allow retrofitting!], anchorage strength, and testing can be found in STN's Table of Contents. Articles and Directives describing UK developments were downloaded from the website of the British Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.