Preparing for the Road
9
Children under 12 years and under 150cm
(4’11”) in height must use a restraint, if a
suitable one is available anywhere in the
vehicle.
NOTE: Designated rear passenger seats are
fitted with seat belts and must be worn.
It is the legal responsibility of the driver to
ensure that passengers under the age of 14
years wear a seat belt. However, children are
not required to be restrained in preference to
adults.
Adults travelling in the rear must also wear
seat belts. It is the responsibility of the adult
passenger (not the driver) to ensure that they
are using the seat belt.
THREE POINT SEAT BELTS
This section refers to the seat belts located
in the habitation area of your motorhome.
Fastening the seat belt:
Insert tongue into buckle; a positive ‘click’
indicates correct assembly.
Releasing the seat belt:
Press the red release button, the tongue will
be ejected from the buckle.
- The belt is designed for use by one
person and must not be put around a
child seated on a person’s lap.
- The belt is suitable for restraining most
child seats and boosters.
- The belt should at all times be adjusted
and used in accordance with the
instructions. No excessive slackness
should be present.
- Once installed the diagonal should pass
across the centre of the shoulder and the
buckle should lie just on or below the hip.
- Avoid twisting the webbing during use.
Webbing must not be allowed to chafe
against sharp edges.
- Do not make alterations or additions to
the belt.
- Belts that have been cut, frayed,
damaged or stressed through impact
should be replaced. After impact the
motorhome anchorage points should also
be checked.
- To clean use warm soapy water only.
- Periodic inspection of the installation will
ensure reliability of the seat belt.
DRIVING LICENCE
Licences issued to drivers who passed their
car driving test before 1st January 1997
include categories B+E and C1+E which
gives them entitlement to drive motor
vehicles up to 7500kg MTPLM.
Drivers who passed their test on or after this
date have category B entitlement only, which
restricts the entitlement to motor vehicles
with up to 8 passenger seats and an MTPLM
of up to 3500kg with trailers up to 750kg
MTPLM (4250kg combined) or larger trailers
providing the combination of the trailer and
towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kg and
the MTPLM of the trailer does not exceed
the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
Drivers who passed their test on or after the
1st January 1997 will need to take an
additional test(s) to gain the B+E and C1+E
entitlement.
A number of Swift Group motorhomes have
an MTPLM greater than 3500kg, therefore
you must check you have the driving licence
entitlement for the vehicle you drive.
VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS
Motorhomes up to 3500kg MTPLM are
P/LGV (Private Light Goods Vehicles),
motorhomes with an MTPLM over 3500kg
and up to 7500kg are P/HGV (Private Heavy
Goods Vehicles). These are used in defining
MOT classifications and vehicle excise duty
(road tax) classifications.
ADVICE ON TOWING
The towing capability of each motorhome
differs depending on the specific chassis
and engine types, (see ‘Towing Capabilities
Table’ in your service handbook). This table
takes account of the maximum front and rear
axle loadings as well as the minimum front
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