Is It Illegal to Remove Seats from a Van?
3 Answers
It is illegal to remove seats from a van without authorization. According to Article 16, Paragraph (1) of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": "No unit or individual may assemble motor vehicles or alter the registered structure, construction, or characteristics of motor vehicles without authorization." In accordance with Article 57 of the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles," "those who alter the appearance of a motor vehicle or its registered technical data without authorization shall be ordered by the traffic management department of the public security authority to restore it to its original state and may be given a warning or fined up to 500 yuan." The following modifications are considered legal: 1. Installation of front and rear anti-collision devices on small and mini passenger vehicles. 2. Installation of windshields, water tanks, toolboxes, spare tire racks, etc., on freight motor vehicles. 3. Addition of interior decorations to motor vehicles.
I remember driving a van for decades, and some people would greedily remove seats for more cargo space, but that's illegal. Traffic regulations clearly state that vehicle seat structures cannot be altered without authorization. Removing seats destabilizes the vehicle's center of gravity, making it prone to rollovers during braking. The risk of accidents increases significantly, and without seats, the safety system is incomplete, leading to more severe injuries in rear-end collisions. In terms of fines, if caught, you could face penalties ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan, plus demerit points affecting insurance. I've seen many cases where restoring seats was both troublesome and costly. My advice is to stick to the original factory design—if cargo space is insufficient, rent a truck or make multiple trips. It's safer and more worry-free. Don’t risk big trouble for small gains; following the rules ensures long-term safety.
After buying a car, I was also curious about whether I could remove the seats and modify its purpose, but research showed it's illegal. Specifically, removing seats from a minivan constitutes illegal modification, as regulations require maintaining the factory configuration to avoid safety risks. After removal, the center of gravity shifts, making it prone to losing control on bumpy roads, and seat belts become ineffective. It won't pass the annual inspection, and if stopped by traffic police on the road, you'll be fined several hundred yuan on the spot, with vehicle impoundment being even worse. Now, I use my car very carefully, either buying a cargo version directly for legal use. Research revealed a nationwide crackdown on such violations, reminding everyone not to risk removing seats. Taking such risks for a little convenience isn't worth it; driving in compliance with the rules brings peace of mind.
