Seatbelts in a taxi

[spainlads]

Does an adult passenger legally have to wear a seat belt in a taxi (black hackney cab)?

[kempie]

If seatbelts are fitted they must be worn by all occupants subject to the exemptions listed in the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 (as amended) such as that for drivers whilst operating (i.e. plying for hire or carrying passengers) within their licensed area.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1993/Uksi_19930176 _en_2.htm

[RATTER15]

Yes!!

[Sasha13]

Why don't taxi drivers have to wear seatbelts then? I've seen this and often wondered - when I asked they said it was because of the risk of being strangled by the passenger sitting behind them?? Surely this can't be right, can it?

[meglet]

Sasha, my understanding is that taxi drivers are exempt for this very reason.

[loonytunes]

That is not correct Sasha. Hackney drivers have to wear a seatbelt unless they are carrying a passenger, looking for a passenger or waiting for a passenger. Private hire drivers are only exempt while they are carrying a passenger. Why? No idea, but that's what the law says. Incidentally, the driver is not responsible for ensuring that his passengers wear their seatbelts in a blacik cab but he is, as is any driver, in a saloon car.

[fiesata]

Adriver is not responsible for passengers wearing a seatbelt unless they are under 14 years of age but anyone who doesn't wear one is an idiot and in my opinion their insurance should be void!

It's all here
http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/seatbelts.htm

[madman06]

taxi drivers dont have to wear a seat belt when they have a paying passanger like said before stragalation or a drunk in back giving abuse u can get out quick