Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2026

after the definition of “Japanese Article 12”, insert —“ “Japanese Article 22” means Article 22 of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles of Japan (as in force on 22 July 2016);“Japanese Article 22‑4” means Article 22‑4 of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles of Japan (as in force on 22 July 2016);“Japanese Article 43” means Article 43 of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles of Japan (as in force on 1 January 2004);”;

after the definition of “UN Regulation 13‑H”, insert —“ “UN Regulation 17” means Regulation No. 17 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with regard to the Seats, their Anchorages and any Head Restraints (incorporating all amendments made to the Regulation up to and including the 08 series of amendments) (Addendum 16 to the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these Prescriptions (Revision 2, including the amendments which entered into force on 16 October 1995));“UN Regulation 25” means Regulation No. 25 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Head Restraints (Headrests), whether or not incorporated in Vehicle Seats (incorporating all amendments made to the Regulation up to and including the 04 series of amendments) (Addendum 24 to the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these Prescriptions (Revision 2, including the amendments which entered into force on 16 October 1995));“UN Regulation 28” means Regulation No. 28 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Audible Warning Devices and of Motor Vehicles with regard to their Audible Signals (original version) (Addendum 27 to the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts (done at Geneva on 20 March 1958));”; and

after the definition of “UN Regulation 78”, insert —“ “UN Regulation 80” means Regulation No. 80 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Seats of Large Passenger Vehicles and of these Vehicles with regard to the Strength of the Seats and their Anchorages (original version) (Addendum 79 to the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts (done at Geneva on 20 March 1958));”.

This rule applies only to a motor vehicle registered on or after 1 July 2026 that is not —

a motor cycle (whether with or without an attached side‑car); or

a motor vehicle that is registered or re‑registered as —

a classic vehicle;

a normal vintage vehicle;

a restricted vintage vehicle; or

a revised use vintage vehicle.

Every seat in a motor vehicle to which this rule applies must be constructed and fitted in compliance with the requirements in —

UN Regulation 17;

UN Regulation 80;

Japanese Article 22; or

any other standard that the Registrar or an authorised officer may recognise as having an equivalent level of safety to, or a more stringent level of safety than, any of the standards mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a), (b) or (c).Head restraints18B.—

This rule applies only to a motor vehicle registered on or after 1 July 2026 that is not —

a motor cycle (whether with or without an attached side‑car);

a motor vehicle that complies with UN Regulation 80; or

a motor vehicle that is registered or re‑registered as —

a classic vehicle;

a normal vintage vehicle;

a restricted vintage vehicle; or

a revised use vintage vehicle.

Every head restraint in a motor vehicle to which this rule applies must be constructed and fitted in compliance with the requirements in —

UN Regulation 17;

UN Regulation 25;

Japanese Article 22‑4; or

any other standard that the Registrar or an authorised officer may recognise as having an equivalent level of safety to, or a more stringent level of safety than, any of the standards mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

In this rule —“back rest” includes any part of a vehicle which is available for passengers to lean against;“head restraint” means a device whose function is to limit the rearward displacement of an adult occupant’s head in relation to the occupant’s torso in order to reduce the danger of injury to the occupant’s cervical vertebrae in the event of an accident, whether or not the device is integrated as part of the back rest of the seat.”.

UN Regulation 28;

Japanese Article 43; or

any other standard that the Registrar or an authorised officer may recognise as having an equivalent level of safety to, or a more stringent level of safety than, any of the standards mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) or (b).

Paragraph (2A) does not apply to a motor vehicle registered or re‑registered as —

a classic vehicle;

a normal vintage vehicle;

a restricted vintage vehicle; or

a revised use vintage vehicle.”.