Horsebox passengers and seatbelts

Interpreting the word of the law is once again cloudy for drivers of horseboxes. Legislation written specifically for motorhomes is the most closely associated and applies as set out below:

Seats in the rear of a horsebox, did not, prior to October 2007, require seatbelts (whether forward, rearward or sideways facing) and it was not illegal to carry unrestrained passengers in them while travelling, providing the vehicle is not overloaded and that there is access from the cab to the living area.

An EU Directive (2005/40/EC) on the installation of seat belts required that from 20 October 2007 new vehicles have to have seat belts fitted on all seats except those seats intended solely for use when the vehicle is stationary. 

From May 2009, the seat belt wearing directive would prevent more passengers being carried than there are seat belts in the rear of vehicles.