i want to put a set of four seats in the back of my van?

Question

if i put seats in the rear & add a window on either side,wwhere do i stand with the insurance class of the van?will i have to have it inspected?

Answer 1

Are you in the UK?
If so, adding seats and rear windows to your van may take it out of the Customs & Revenue's commercial-vehicle classification.
Therefore if VAT has never been paid on the van, it may become due when you add the windows (strangely, windows have more effect than seats in this case), unless if retains a payload capability of over 1 tonne.

Also you'll need to inform your insurance company simply becase the vehicle has been modified, and the seating capacity has been changed. Ask them now if there'll be a cost increase - they should be happy to quote for the change.

Also, you'll have to ensure the seats are securely fitted to the vehicle (may require reinforcement below the floor) and have the seatbelts as required by law at the time the van was built (i.e. if its a 1960s van it won't need them, if its a 1990s van it will).

Answer 2

Usually there has to be windows in the rear doors for it to be considered a passenger veh rather than commercial. As far as insurance goes if you make any modifications to the van and you want to change the registration class, it is best to notify the insurance company just to be sure that there are no problems if you are involved in a loss.

Answer 3

As you are changing the declared seating capacity of the vehical, this will certainly have to notified to the insurers, who may insist that the vehical is re-tested prior to accepting to insure it.

Answer 4

Not sure, think that you will also have to make sure that there are seat belts.