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