Let’s be honest, if you and any passengers are driving around in a motorhome it is surely sensible that all of you wear seat belts no matter what the law may say as it is safer to do so. It is a well-known fact that if you don’t wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle and you are involved in a road traffic accident that you are statistically more likely to suffer an injury or be killed.

Having said the above, what does the law say about wearing seat belts in motorhomes?

Well, seat belt legislation depends upon when your motorhome was built. The significant years are before 1988, after 1988 and after 2006.

If your motorhome was manufactured before 1988 then both the driver and a passenger sitting in the front seat are legally required to wear seat belts. However those passengers sitting in any rear seats are not legally required to wear seat belts in a motorhome. As we have already said above but feel it is worth mentioning again it would still be prudent for those passengers sitting in the rear of the leisure vehicle to wear a seat belt.

If your motorhome was built after 1988 then all occupants must wear a seat belt by law. The driver and front seat passengers must have a three-point seat belt and the rear passengers must have at least a two-point seat belt to make use of.

If your motorhome was built after 2006 then those seats facing forwards and those facing rearwards have to have seat belts fitted and must be used by people sitting in those seats. The driver and specified passenger seats have to have a three point seat belt and other seats require at least a two point seat belt.

Children up to four foot four inches in height or up to 12 years of age must use child seats along with a three-point seat belt.

We do hope that the above proves of benefit to those of you either driving in their own motorhome or in one that you have hired for a few days. Remember, keep yourself and your passengers as safe as possible by wearing a seat belt. It really is not worth the risk of doing otherwise.