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GENERAL INFORMATION - SAFETY BELTS

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Regulations require the compulsory fitment of anchorages and safety belts in the rear seats of cars first registered on or after 1st January, 1992.

The long standing requirement for such fitments in the front seats of small passenger vehicles and light goods vehicles has been extended to new minibuses with more than 8 seats and a design gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. first registered after 1st January, 1992.

"Light goods vehicle" is redefined to include a relevant vehicle with a design gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. Anchorages and seat belts must comply with prescribed standards.

In specified vehicles the Regulations require the wearing of front and rear safety belts where fitted irrespective of the date of first registration of the vehicle.

The Regulations provide for specified exemptions from the obligation to wear safety belts or child restraints (see below). Exemptions include a child under 4 years of age occupying a rear seat in a car but only if there is no unoccupied suitable child restraint, any driver while reversing a vehicle; a member of the Garda Siochana or the Defence Forces while on duty; a driver of a taxi or other small public service vehicle; a driving instructor or tester while conducting driving tuition or test; a person aged 12 years or more who is less than 150 centimetres in height; a person wearing a disabled person's belt and the holder of a medical certificate, in the prescribed form, stating that it is inadvisable for the holder to wear a safety belt (or child restraint) on medical grounds.