What this check covers
Selected production light-vehicle seating and restraint pathways, within the categories and capacity shown in the assessment. Wheelchair conversions, buses and other specialised arrangements need separate assessment.
The result covers the selected requirements and evidence entered. It does not certify the vehicle or confirm its overall compliance.
What you need
- Category, manufacture date, GVM and original/fitted adult seating positions.
- Seat, belt and anchorage identities and applicable design or approval records.
- Manufacturer advice about affected airbags, pretensioners and occupancy sensors.
- Installation and inspection records, and an accurate modification plate where required.
Understand the requirements
Start with the actual seating configuration
Identify the vehicle category, manufacture date, GVM and original and fitted adult seating positions, including the driver. Count Category 1 adult positions for ADR capacity. Restricted Category 2/3 child-only seats and wheelchair positions have separate rules; using an ordinary child restraint on an adult seat does not exclude that adult position.
Seat removal and certificate inspections
Permanent or indefinite removal needs Approved Person certification and an accurate modification plate. Short-term removal using original quick-release or bolt-in structures may have a no-plate pathway when the original configuration can be restored and the vehicle category does not change. Retain evidence of the arrangement and expected refitting.
At a certificate of inspection or safety-certificate inspection, the vehicle must have the manufacturer’s original seating configuration or a modification plate accurately reflecting its changed configuration. A temporary road-use outcome does not establish acceptance at that inspection.
If a removed seat incorporates an SRS airbag, contact the manufacturer before temporary or permanent removal and retain its determination about adverse effects. Resolve effects on airbags, pretensioners and occupancy sensors, and seal unused floor holes.
Design, installation and category are separate checks
The assessment distinguishes LK1 installation/removal, LK2 seat and anchorage design, and LK6 tested or approved child-restraint anchorage systems. It refers non-option replacement front seats subject to ADR 69/73, unapproved child-anchor systems and ISOFIX alterations for specialist review. Retain the applicable design numbers, component specifications, mounting details and inspection records.
A same-model manufacturer seating option requires the complete unmodified package, unchanged capacity and retained safety features. Additional seating needs its applicable design basis as well as installation assessment. New replacement or additional seatbelts must meet the actual vehicle requirements; second-hand replacement assemblies are not accepted under the inspection criteria.
An adult-capacity change that changes ADR vehicle category also requires LO1 certification. Certified wheelchair conversions have a separate exception and LK1/LK3 plate requirements; they remain outside this calculator’s selected scope. Driver-licence seating capacity is a separate question.
Evidence and assessment limits
Keep vehicle and capacity records, manufacturer SRS advice, seat and belt identities, applicable ADR evidence, design/approval references, fitting and physical-inspection records, load/axle evidence and any accurate modification plate. The selected scope covers production MA/MB/MC/NA/NB1 light vehicles with up to nine adult positions. Roll-over structures, buses, restricted child-only seating, wheelchair/mobility conversions, ICVs and other specialised arrangements need separate assessment.
This check records declarations and selected pathways. Strength, crash performance, child-seat fitting, physical roadworthiness and whole-vehicle approval require the appropriate separate assessment.
Worked example
Temporary seat removal and an inspection are separate questions
An arrangement that meets the short-term road-use conditions does not by itself satisfy a safety-certificate or certificate-of-inspection seating check. At that inspection, retain the original seating configuration or the accurate modification plate for the changed configuration.
Read this example within the selected scope. The actual installation and supporting evidence determine the finding.
Official sources and review
- Queensland Road Vehicle Modification Handbook
- TMR approved vehicle modification codes
- NCOP Section LK — Seating and Occupant Protection
- Queensland Light Vehicle Inspection Manual
- TMR Change in seating positions
- TMR Permanent and temporary removal of seats
Sources reviewed 20 October 2026. This guide uses national seating standards, Queensland inspection criteria and the December 2025 seating instructions. Later changes to those instructions have not been confirmed. TMR or an appropriately accredited Approved Person must confirm the seating and certification requirements for your vehicle.