Changing number of seats

praisejeebus

Hi all,
I was wondering if anybody can help me out, I'm not sure if this question or similar has been asked before. At the mo I have a 7 seater Toyota Estima and am wondering if I changed it to an 8 seater what the legality in Ireland is for doing this and how to change the number of seats on the log book for insurance reasons. I can't find any info online.

Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance
Paul

biko

Estimas come in either 7 or 8 seats versions. From a quick google it doesn't seem they are interchangeable though.

A "B" licence will allow for vehicles with seats for a maximum of 8 passengers but you should ask you insurance company about "modding" the car.
About the logbook, you probably need a form to update it and send it off to Shannon. You can ring them and ask but this is probably the form RF111 Change of Particulars
https://www.motortax.ie/OMT/pdf/RF111_en.pdf

praisejeebus

Thanks Biko for the reply,
I know that they came in 7 and 8 seat versions and the max passengers on my B licence. My insurance company never asked about the number of seats just fuel type and engine size but I would let them know either way if I do add the extra seat. I have used the RF111 form for an engine change a few years back on another car but I think you can only change the seating capacity on public vehicles and not private ones( I may be wrong on this)with this form.
If I have to change the car I will but with cash being tight I was hoping that adding the "extra seat" could work out cheaper as I have kept this car well maintained and know its service history, I wouldn't like to sell it and end up buying a pig in a poke. Plus the family would be without a car in the interim.

biko

I don't think there is any legal issue per se as the car already comes in two versions. It's just a matter of asking Shannon (for instance my VLC states 5 seats so it's mentioned in the VLC) and then look into how to change the seats over.

praisejeebus

Thanks biko, I'll give them a ring in the morning and see what they say and I'll post what they say.

biko

Cool, fwiw it's not likely someone even will notice tbh but it's best to to these things by the book. Don't give the insurance people any reason to *** you over.