Is It Illegal to Remove the Rear Seats of a Van?

[HeidiLee]

Removing the rear seats of a van is illegal. Dismantling the seats violates Article 16, Clause 1 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, which states that no unit or individual may assemble a motor vehicle or alter its registered structure, construction, or characteristics without authorization. Removing the seats constitutes altering the registered structure and construction. The hazards of such modifications to a van are as follows: Increased risk of traffic accidents: Illegal modifications by removing seats change the vehicle's original safety technical parameters, shifting its center of gravity. This leads to various traffic violations such as overloading, significantly increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents. Higher risk of rollover during turns: After modifying a van for cargo transport, its on-road speed decreases, braking distance extends, and the risk of rollover during turns rises. This not only disrupts the normal flow of other vehicles but also reduces road traffic efficiency. There have been numerous cases in China where accidents were caused by vans modified to carry more cargo or passengers by removing seats.

[Clarisse]

I once removed the rear seats of a minivan and felt the space became much larger, making it more convenient for hauling goods. However, this is not allowed. Traffic police can easily spot during inspections that the vehicle structure does not match the registration certificate, constituting illegal modification. According to traffic laws, removing seats to change the vehicle's purpose, such as converting from a passenger vehicle to a cargo vehicle, requires prior filing and application with the vehicle management office. If done privately, getting caught usually results in a fine ranging from 200 to 500 yuan, and the vehicle may also be impounded. More dangerously, removing seats can easily lead to overloading, and during sudden braking or collisions, goods may fly around, causing injury to oneself or others. Consider also that the vehicle may fail the annual inspection and insurance could be affected. I suggest not cutting corners—safety first. If you need to use a minivan for transporting goods, choose a legal cargo version model or go through the proper modification procedures.

[MarcusAnn]

Experienced drivers will tell you that removing the rear seats of a van is generally illegal. The number of seats at the time of vehicle design and registration must be maintained. After removal, the space increases, and you might carry more goods or people, but the risk of overloading rises, and the chance of rollover increases. During roadside checks, if traffic police see the seats are missing, they will penalize you for illegal modification, with fines starting from a hundred yuan or more. Moreover, the annual inspection won't pass, and you'll have to reinstall the seats, which is troublesome. I've seen some van owners remove seats to transport furniture and end up complaining about the hefty fines. The legal approach is: first, inquire at the vehicle management office about reporting changes and understand the process. Otherwise, why take the risk when cargo vans already have fewer seats? Remember, driving within the law ensures a safe journey home.

[MilesMarie]

Removing the rear seats of a minivan? Forget it, it's usually not compliant. With over a decade of driving experience, I know such modifications are easily spotted during inspections. Once the seats are removed, the vehicle's structure changes, and it won't match the details on the registration certificate—traffic police will notice immediately during checks. The law requires maintaining the original factory design to prevent safety hazards. Without seats, overloading with passengers or cargo increases the risk of rollovers. Penalties typically include a fine of around 200 yuan, and repeated violations may lead to point deductions. In practice, many cities strictly enforce checks on illegal minivan modifications, with frequent crackdowns. Annual inspections will also be problematic, and restoring the vehicle to its original condition will cost even more. If you really need more space, it's better to buy a cargo version of the minivan—it’s less hassle than creating problems for yourself.

[EdwardAnn]

As an ordinary car owner, I advise against removing the rear seats of a van due to high legal risks. The vehicle's factory settings are fixed, and removing seats alters its load-bearing capacity, violating traffic safety laws. After unauthorized modifications, overloading often occurs, increasing the risk of losing control during sharp turns. Traffic police frequently inspect at locations like highway entrances, imposing fines of 200-300 yuan if discovered. Failing the annual inspection would require costly and time-consuming repairs. Related risks include insurance claim denials for accidents and potential fire hazards from improper modifications. The legal approach is to apply to the vehicle management office for a change of purpose and remove seats only after approval. For daily van use, select the appropriate model for your needs: choose a cargo-designed van with fewer seats if hauling goods, eliminating the need for removal. Staying within the law is the best strategy—don't cross legal boundaries.