Webbing clamp requirement:
Questions and answers

If my safety belt fails a Warrant or Certificate of Fitness inspection, where can it be replaced?

Legally, anyone can replace a safety belt if their vehicle doesn't need structural modification. The organisation that inspects your vehicle may be able to supply and fit webbing clamp safety belts. Alternatively, they can be supplied by major automotive part suppliers, or safety belt suppliers.

I don't have to fit webbing clamp belts if my car needs to be modified to fit them. How do I know if my car needs to be modified?

The manufacturer will be able to tell you.

When does the requirement come into force?

The requirement comes into force on 1 April 2003 and applies to vehicles whose front safety belts fail their Warrant of Fitness (WoF) or Certificate of Fitness (CoF).

If my car isn't on the list, can I still have webbing clamps fitted?

Ask the manufacturer of your vehicle.

If your vehicle requires any kind of alteration to the structure to have webbing clamps fitted, a professional will have to do the modification and your vehicle will need to be specially certified.

Do I have to wait for my car to fail its WoF or CoF before I have webbing clamps installed?

No, you can have webbing clamp belts fitted at any time.

Are webbing grabbers and webbing clamp safety belts the same thing?

Yes.

Do I have to replace all my safety belts?

No, you only need to replace the front safety belt(s) that have failed a WoF or CoF inspection.

Why does it only apply to front belts?

The front seat passenger and driver are more likely to be killed or seriously injured a crash by hitting something hard ie the dashboard or steering wheel.

Why does it only apply to MA class (general use) vehicles?

These are the most common vehicles on the road and the ones most likely to be carrying passengers.

Why will older safety belts have to be replaced with webbing clamps?

Webbing clamps are the safest option available for older vehicles. In a crash, webbing clamp safety belts hold you more firmly in place. This reduces your risk of serious injury. However, in an extremely severe crash with little or no chance of survival, a webbing clamp safety belt may not be able to save you.

What if webbing clamp safety belts aren't available?

If the webbing clamp replacement belt is not in stock or is not readily available (eg obtainable within 48 hours), a replacement belt of the same type that's already in the vehicle may be fitted.

What happens when I return for a WoF or CoF re-inspection?

You must have proof that you've had a webbing clamp safety belt fitted. This could be an invoice for the safety belt and its fitting, or a verification label attached to the webbing clamp safety belt.

If a webbing clamp safety belt isn't able to be fitted and another type of belt has to be installed, you must provide written documentation from the person who fitted it. This must state that a webbing clamp can't be fitted.

Why are there exceptions to this requirement? Can't all vehicles be fitted with webbing clamp safety belts?

In some vehicles safety belts are part of a safety system that interact with other safety devices in a car (eg airbags). These vehicles need to have their safety belts replaced with a safety belt of type already in the vehicle, to ensure the safety system still works.

In other cases, some vehicles will need modification so that webbing clamp safety belts can be fitted. This is costly and requires low volume vehicle certification.

How much does a webbing clamp safety belt cost?

Prices will vary between suppliers. Webbing grabber belts cost around $30 more than other safety belts — a small price to pay for something that could save your life or prevent you from getting serious injuries.

Can I use a reconditioned second-hand belt?

We strongly advise that you only do this if you know for sure that it hasn't been in a vehicle that's crashed. You may put other vehicle occupants at risk by fitting belts that have been in a vehicle that's crashed. If a safety belt has been involved in a crash, it's unlikely it will be able to hold you in place properly and prevent serious injury or death.

How do I know if a second-hand safety belt has come from a vehicle that's been in a crash?

There is no definite way of telling. If you don't know the history of the vehicle that the belt has come from, it's better to buy a new safety belt.

What's wrong with retractor belts — aren't they safe enough?

Safety belt technology has become increasingly more sophisticated over the years. Simple retractor belts are still much safer than no safety belt at all, but they are no longer the safest option. This is because in a crash, the retractor belts allow some movement of the safety belt webbing. This may result in the driver or passenger sustaining serious injuries from hitting the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle interior.

Webbing clamp safety belts stop the movement of the webbing by clamping or grabbing the belt as it leaves the retractor.

How many vehicles have retractor belts?

It is likely that, if a vehicle is between six and 16 years old, it will have a retractor belt. There are around 1,000,000 of these vehicles in New Zealand.

The safety belt brochure tells me that webbing clamp safety belts don't have to be fitted if they're not readily available in my area. What does readily available mean?

This is a situation where webbing clamp safety belts are not currently in stock at an automotive parts retailer that normally supplies webbing clamp safety belts, and are not available within 48 hours (two days) by courier from a parts supplier.

Last updated: 1 April 2003