Is it illegal to fold down the rear seats of a seven-seater car for loading items?
2 Answers
For non-commercial seven-seater vehicles, folding down the rear seats to load items is not considered a violation if it is only for transporting personal belongings and not for commercial purposes, and it does not affect driving. Article 62 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: When driving a motor vehicle, the following acts are prohibited: driving when the doors or compartments are not properly closed; hanging or placing items within the front or rear windows of the motor vehicle's cabin that obstruct the driver's view; making or receiving handheld phone calls, watching TV, or other acts that hinder safe driving; stalling or coasting in neutral on steep slopes; throwing items onto the road; driving a motorcycle with hands off the handlebars or hanging items on the handlebars; driving continuously for more than 4 hours without stopping to rest or stopping for less than 20 minutes; honking the horn in no-honking zones or sections. Article 64 stipulates: Those who violate the provisions of these regulations by engaging in road transport operations without obtaining a road transport operation permit shall be ordered to cease operations by the road transport management agencies at or above the county level; any illegal gains shall be confiscated, and a fine of 2 to 10 times the illegal gains shall be imposed; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued according to the law.
Folding down the rear seats of a seven-seater car to carry items is not necessarily illegal per se, but it depends on how it's done and the nature of the cargo. According to traffic regulations, such as China's Road Traffic Safety Law, folding down seats for cargo is permitted, but you must pay attention to several key points: the load must not exceed width or height limits—generally, the height should not extend too far above the roof, the width should not exceed the vehicle's body, and the weight must stay within the designed load capacity. More importantly, the cargo must not obstruct the driver's view, such as ensuring the rear windshield remains clearly visible. I've driven many seven-seaters and often do this when moving or traveling with luggage, but I always secure the cargo with ropes to prevent items from flying around during sudden braking, which could be dangerous. If police inspection finds the load unstable or a safety hazard, they may issue a ticket or deduct points. Safety first is the real principle—don’t overlook potential risks for convenience. Developing good habits can also extend your car's lifespan.
