Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Driver's Handbook - Transport

3SeatbeltsIt is important for truck and bus drivers to wear a seatbelt. Any driver orpassenger must wear a seatbelt properly adjusted and securely fastenedwherever there is one available. If there is an empty seat with a seatbelt,a passenger must move to that seat. The driver will not be penalised ifthere is no seatbelt and the vehicle has been manufactured before therequirement for seatbelts commenced.Compulsory seatbelt laws have been in place for heavy vehicle driverssince 1999.Vehicles that have been modified by the installation of non-original seats(eg driver’s suspension seat) must have suitable seatbelts in order forthose vehicles to comply with mandatory equipment requirements andprovide the driver with a suitable level of comfort.It is an offence to remove a fitted seatbelt from a vehicle.If you remove it you may be breached for not wearing itas well as for removing it.The driver is responsibleDrivers are responsible for all passengers, particularly children, beingproperly restrained in a seatbelt or approved child restraint where seat beltsare fitted. There are fines and demerit points for a driver who is not wearinga seatbelt and who fails to ensure that passengers use seatbelts.Passengers aged 16 years and over who do not use an available seatbeltwill also be individually fined.Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Handbook 35