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Transport Canada
Disclaimer: These documents are not the official versions (more).

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT

Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Standard 208



Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (Standard 208)

Seat Belt Installation Requirements

208. (1) Subject to subsections (2.1) and (8) to (10), every vehicle shall be equipped at each front outboard designated seating position with a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly that

(a) has a non-detachable upper torso restraint; and

(b) is capable of adjustment by means of an emergency-locking retractor.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), every passenger car and three-wheeled vehicle and every truck, bus or multipurpose passenger vehicle with a GVWR of 4 536 kg or less, other than a school bus or motor home, shall be equipped at each forward-facing rear outboard designated seating position with a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly that

(a) has a non-detachable upper torso restraint; and

(b) is capable of adjustment by means of an emergency-locking retractor.

(2.1) Every enclosed motorcycle shall be equipped at each designated seating position with a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly that

(a) has a non-detachable upper torso restraint; and

(b) is capable of adjustment by means of an emergency-locking retractor.

(3) A vehicle that has a rear outboard designated seating position that has a seat that can be adjusted to face forward and to face in any other direction may be equipped with a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly that

(a) when the seat is placed in any direction in which it can be occupied while the vehicle is in motion, has a pelvic restraint that can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor; and

(b) when the seat is placed in the forward-facing direction, has a Type 2A manual seat belt assembly that can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor.

(4) A vehicle that has a rear outboard designated seating position that has a seat designed by the manufacturer to be removable shall meet the requirements of subsection (2) or, where the seat can be adjusted to face forward and to face in any other direction, the requirements of subsection (3).

(5) A seat belt assembly required pursuant to subsection (4) may be detachable at either its upper or lower anchorage point, but not at both anchorage points.

(6) Subject to subsection (9), every vehicle, other than a bus that has a GVWR greater than 4 536 kg or a school bus, shall be equipped with a Type 1 or Type 2 manual seat belt assembly at each designated seating position, other than a front outboard designated seating position or a rear outboard designated seating position.

(7) The seat belt assembly referred to in subsection (6) shall

(a) in the case of a Type 1 or Type 2 manual seat belt assembly, have a pelvic restraint that can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor, an automatic-locking retractor or a manual adjusting device; and

(b) in the case of a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly, have an upper torso restraint that can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor or a manual adjusting device.

(8) A walk-in van that has a GVWR of 4 536 kg or less may be equipped at the driver's designated seating position with a Type 1 manual seat belt assembly that can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor or an automatic-locking retractor.

(9) A truck or multipurpose passenger vehicle that has a GVWR greater than 4 536 kg

(a) may be equipped at each front outboard designated seating position with a Type 1 manual seat belt assembly; and

(b) shall be equipped at each forward-facing rear outboard designated seating position with a Type 1 or Type 2 manual seat belt assembly.

(10) A bus that has a GVWR greater than 4 536 kg shall be equipped at the driver's designated seating position with a Type 1 manual seat belt assembly, or a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly the upper torso restraint of which can be adjusted by means of an emergency-locking retractor.

(10.1) In the case of a motor home, the number of designated seating positions with seat belts shall not be less than the number of sleeping positions.

(11) Where a Type 1 manual seat belt assembly or the pelvic restraint portion of a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly is installed at a front outboard designated seating position of a truck, bus or multipurpose passenger vehicle that has a GVWR greater than 4 536 kg, the seat belt assembly shall be capable of adjustment by means of an emergency-locking retractor or an automatic-locking retractor.

(12) An automatic-locking retractor referred to in paragraph (7)(a) and subsections (8) and (11) shall

(a) engage the next locking position when a length of seat belt webbing between 19 mm and 77 mm has moved into the retractor, as measured from an initial position determined by extending the seat belt webbing to 75 per cent of its total length from the retractor; and

(b) if used on a vehicle seat that has a suspension system, be attached to the suspended portion of the vehicle seat.

Seat Belt Fit Requirements

(13) A Type 2 manual seat belt assembly shall be constructed such that, when a 50th percentile adult male occupant is secured in place by the seat belt assembly, the intersection of the upper torso restraint and the pelvic restraint shall be at least 150 mm from the front vertical centreline of the occupant, measured along the centreline of the pelvic restraint, with

(a) any upper torso restraint manual adjusting device adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

(b) the seat adjusted to its rearmost and lowest position; and

(c) the seat back adjusted to the manufacturer's nominal design riding position.

(14) When the seat is placed in any position, the seat back is placed in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position and any adjustable seat belt anchorage is placed in the manufacturer's nominal design position for a 50th percentile adult male occupant, every pelvic restraint shall

(a) at the driver's designated seating position, be adjustable to fit any occupant whose dimensions range from those of a 5th percentile adult female to those of a 95th percentile adult male; and

(b) at all of the other designated seating positions, be adjustable to fit any occupant whose dimensions range from those of a 50th percentile six-year-old child to those of a 95th percentile adult male.

(15) When the seat is placed in any position, the seat back is placed in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position and any adjustable seat belt anchorage is placed in the manufacturer's nominal design position for a 50th percentile adult male occupant, every upper torso restraint shall be adjustable to fit any occupant whose dimensions range from those of a 5th percentile adult female to those of a 95th percentile adult male.

Warning Systems

(16) A vehicle that has a GVWR of 4 536 kg or less, other than a school bus, shall be equipped with

(a) a tell-tale that emits a continuous or flashing warning light that is visible to the driver seated in the normal driving position, and a warning system that simultaneously emits a continuous or intermittent audible warning signal, for a period of 4 to 8 seconds; or

(b) a tell-tale that emits, for not less than 60 seconds, a continuous or flashing warning light that is visible to the driver seated in the normal driving position, and a warning system that emits a continuous or intermittent audible warning signal for a period of 4 to 8 seconds.

(17) The tell-tale referred to in subsection (16) shall be activated when

(a) the ignition switch of the vehicle is moved to the "on" or "start" position; or

(b) the ignition switch of the vehicle is moved to the "on" or "start" position and

(i) the seat belt latch mechanism of the pelvic restraint located at the driver's designated seating position is not fastened, or

(ii) the pelvic restraint located at the driver's designated seating position is extended less than 100 mm from the normal stowed position.

(18) The warning system referred to in subsection (16) shall be activated when the ignition switch of the vehicle is moved to the "on" or "start" position and

(a) the seat belt latch mechanism of the pelvic restraint located at the driver's designated seating position is not fastened; or

(b) the pelvic restraint located at the driver's designated seating position is extended less than 100 mm from the normal stowed position.

(19) The tell-tale referred to in subsection (16) shall display the identification symbol for the seat belt set out in Table II to section 101.

Release Mechanisms

(20) The release mechanism of a seat belt assembly shall be accessible in both the stowed and operational positions to the occupant of the seat and shall, by a single push-button action,

(a) release the seat belt assembly at a single point; and

(b) release both the pelvic restraint and the upper torso restraint simultaneously.

Crash Protection Requirements

(21) Every passenger car and every truck, bus or multipurpose passenger vehicle that has a GVWR of 3 856 kg or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2 495 kg or less, other than a vehicle manufactured for operation by persons with disabilities, shall comply with the crash protection requirements set out in subsection (22).

(21.1) Every three-wheeled vehicle shall, at the option of the manufacturer, either comply with the crash test requirements set out in subsection (22) or display on one or more labels, permanently affixed in view of the front seat occupants, in letters of not less than six points in height, the following statement: "This vehicle does not comply with the requirements of the dynamic crash test set out in CMVSS 208/Ce véhicule n'est pas conforme aux exigences de l'essai de collision dynamique prévu par la NSVAC 208".

(21.2) If the label referred to in subsection (21.1) is displayed in a vehicle, the English and French versions of the owner's manual shall include the statement on the label.

(22) Where a vehicle is tested in accordance with subsection (23), during the test

(a) each anthropomorphic test device shall be completely contained within the outer surface of the vehicle passenger compartment;

(b) the resultant acceleration at the centre of gravity of the head of each anthropomorphic test device

(i) shall not exceed 80 g when acting from in front of the test device's coronal plane, except where it is established that the maximum resultant acceleration above 80 g is caused by another part of the anthropomorphic test device striking its head, or

(ii) if an air bag is installed at the designated seating position, may be such that the value of the expression



does not exceed 700, where 

a is the resultant acceleration at the centre of gravity of the head expressed as a multiple of g,

g is the acceleration due to gravity, and

t1 and t2 are any two points in time during the impact, expressed in seconds, that are separated by an interval of not more than 15 ms;

(c) compression deflection of the sternum relative to the spine of the upper thorax of each anthropomorphic test device

(i) shall not exceed 50 mm, or

(ii) in the case of a vehicle with a GVWR greater than 2 722 kg, shall not exceed 60 mm; and

(d) the axially transmitted force through each upper leg of each anthropomorphic test device shall not exceed 10 kN.

(23) Subject to subsection (23.1), when a vehicle is tested, it shall be tested

(a) in accordance with the conditions set out in Test Method 208-Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996);

(b) by impacting a fixed collision barrier that is at 90° ± 5° to the line of travel of the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 48 km/h; and

(c) with an anthropomorphic test device that complies with the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States, title 49, part 572, subpart E (October 1994) placed at each front outboard designated seating position and secured by the seat belt assembly at that position.

(23.1) For the purposes of paragraph (23)(a), when a three-wheeled vehicle is tested, it shall be loaded in accordance with paragraph S2.2.1 of Test Method 208 — Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996).

Air Bags

(24) An air bag shall have a monitoring system that

(a) monitors and indicates its own readiness and the readiness of every air bag that has not been deactivated; and

(b) is equipped with a tell-tale visible to the driver seated in the normal driving position.

(25) Passenger cars, three-wheeled vehicles, trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles may be equipped with a manual air bag cut-off switch to deactivate an air bag installed at the right front outboard designated seating position if

(a) the vehicle has no forward-facing designated seating position to the rear of the front designated seating positions; or

(b) the distance between the rearward surface of the front seat back and forward surface of the rear seat back is less than 720 mm, as measured in accordance with Test Method 208-Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996).

(26) Where a vehicle is equipped at a designated seating position with an air bag, the vehicle shall, if scheduled maintenance or replacement of the air bag is required, have a label permanently affixed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, in letters of not less than 6 points in height stating, in both official languages, the manufacturer's recommended maintenance or replacement schedule by

(a) month and year;

(b) vehicle distance travelled; or

(c) specified time intervals measured from the month and year stated on the compliance label or information label applied to the vehicle in accordance with these Regulations.

(27) Where a vehicle is equipped at a designated seating position with an air bag, the vehicle shall have a label or labels permanently affixed to the sun visor at that position or in a readily visible area adjacent to the sun visor, in letters of not less than 6 points in height stating, in both official languages, the following warnings:

(a) if that position is a right front outboard designated seating position,

(i) in the case of such a designated seating position with an air bag that may be deactivated by means of a manual cut-off switch, not to install a rearward-facing child restraint system or infant restraint system in that designated seating position unless the air bag is deactivated, and

(ii) in any other case, not to install a rearward-facing child restraint system or infant restraint system in that designated seating position; and

(b) not to sit unnecessarily close to the air bag.

(28) Where a vehicle is equipped at a designated seating position with an air bag, the English and French versions of the owner's manual shall include

(a) if scheduled maintenance or replacement of the air bag is required, instructions concerning the maintenance or replacement;

(b) a description of the air bag;

(c) the warnings set out in subsection (27);

(d) the warning not to place any objects over the air bag or between the air bag and the occupant; and

(e) if the vehicle is equipped with a manual air bag cut-off switch,

(i) instructions concerning the operation of the cut-off switch,

(ii) a statement that the cut-off switch is installed only for use when a rearward-facing child restraint system or infant restraint system is installed in the right front outboard designated seating position, and

(iii) a warning about the safety consequences of using the cut-off switch in circumstances other than those referred to in subparagraph (ii).

Tension-relieving Devices

(29) Where a vehicle that has a GVWR of 4 536 kg or less is equipped at a designated seating position with a Type 2 manual seat belt assembly that has a tension-relieving device that permits the introduction of slack in the webbing of the upper torso restraint, the vehicle shall be equipped with a means that automatically cancels any slack in that webbing when

(a) the latch plate is released; or

(b) one of the following doors is opened, namely,

(i) the vehicle door closest to that position, where the assembly is at a front outboard designated seating position or a rear outboard designated seating position, and

(ii) either vehicle door that normally enables an occupant of the seating position to exit the vehicle, where the assembly is at any other designated seating position.

(30) The English and French versions of the owner's manual for a vehicle referred to in subsection (29) shall

(a) explain the functioning of the tension-relieving device;

(b) state the maximum amount of slack, in millimetres, that is recommended by the manufacturer to be introduced into the upper torso restraint under normal conditions of use; and

(c) warn that the introduction of slack beyond the recommended amount could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt assembly in the event of an impact.

(31) Notwithstanding subsection (29), in the case of an open-body type vehicle with no doors, a tension-relieving device may be deactivated manually.

(32) Where a vehicle is tested in accordance with subsection (23) and the vehicle is equipped at a front outboard designated seating position with a seat belt assembly that has a tension-relieving device that permits the introduction of slack in the webbing of the upper torso restraint, that webbing shall be adjusted to introduce the maximum amount of slack that is recommended in the owner's manual under normal conditions of use or, where the owner's manual does not contain such a recommendation, to the maximum amount of slack possible.

Accessibility of Seat Belts

(33) Any seat belt assembly latch plate that is located outboard of a front outboard designated seating position of a vehicle shall be located within the outboard reach envelope, as obtained in accordance with Test Method 208-Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996), of either the outboard arm or inboard arm when the latch plate is in its normal stowed position.

(34) There shall be sufficient clearance between a front outboard designated seating position seat and the side of the vehicle interior to allow a clearance test block that conforms to the dimensions set out in Figure 2 of Test Method 208-Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996) unhindered transit to the latch plate or buckle of any seat belt assembly that is located outboard of that front outboard designated seating position.

(35) The webbing of an upper torso restraint and pelvic restraint installed in a vehicle at a front outboard designated seating position, where tested in accordance with this section and under the conditions set out in section 5 of Test Method 208-Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact (December 1996), shall automatically retract to a stowed position

(a) in the case of a vehicle with no doors,

(i) where the seat belt assembly has no tension-relieving device, when the latch plate is released, and

(ii) where the seat belt assembly has a tension-relieving device, when the tension-relieving device is deactivated; and

(b) in any other case, when the latch plate is released and the adjacent vehicle door is in the open or closed position.

(36) The stowed position of a seat belt assembly shall, in the case of a vehicle with doors, prevent any part of the seat belt assembly from being pinched when the adjacent vehicle door is closed.

(37) Where a seat belt assembly has seat belt webbing that passes through the seat cushion or between the seat cushion and the seat back,

(a) one of the following parts, namely, the latch plate, the buckle or the webbing, shall be maintained on top of or above the seat cushion under normal conditions; and

(b) the remaining two seat belt assembly parts shall be maintained in an accessible position under normal conditions.

(38) Subsection (37) does not apply where

(a) the seat cushions are movable and movement of both the seat cushions and the seat back enables the seat back to be used for a function other than seating;

(b) the seats are removable; or

(c) the seats are movable and enable the space normally occupied by the seat to be used for a function other than seating.

(39) The buckle and latch plate referred to in subsection (37) shall not pass through any seat belt webbing guides or conduits that are provided and shall not fall behind the seat where the seat belt is completely retracted or, if the belt is non-retractable, where the belt buckle is unlatched and, in either case,

(a) the seat is moved to any position to which it is designed to be adjusted; and

(b) if the seat back is foldable, the seat back is, starting from the manufacturer's nominal design riding position, folded forward as far as possible and then moved backward into the initial position.

(40) The inboard receptacle end of a seat belt assembly installed at a front outboard designated seating position shall be accessible without having to move the centre armrest where that armrest is in any position.

Transitional Provisions

(41) Trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles that have a GVWR of 3 856 kg or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2 495 kg or less and that are manufactured before September 1, 1998 need not comply with the requirement of subsection (21).

(42) Passenger cars manufactured before September 1, 1998 need not comply with paragraph (22)(b).

(43) Passenger cars manufactured before September 1, 1999, and trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles that have a GVWR of 3 856 kg or less and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2 495 kg or less, manufactured on or after September 1, 1998 but before September 1, 2000, need not comply with paragraph (22)(c) if, during the test referred to in subsection (23), a compression deflection of the sternum relative to the upper thorax portion of the spine of each anthropomorphic test device does not exceed 65 mm.

 

Established by the CONSOLIDATED REGULATIONS OF CANADA, 1978.

amended by

SOR/78-80 24 January, 1978 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, effective September 1, 1979

Section 208 of Schedule D.

SOR/80-782 2 October, 1980 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Section 208 of Schedule IV.

SOR/87-578 24 September, 1987 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Subsection 208(16) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT IS NOW CHAPTER M-10 OF THE REVISED STATUTES OF CANADA, 1985.

SOR/90-387 28 June, 1990 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety, Act, effective September 1, 1991

Subsection 208(3), paragraphs 208(6)(a) and (8)(a) by substituting the expression "walk-in van-type truck" for the expression "walk-in van type truck".

SOR/93-5 21 December, 1992 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Revoked and replaced.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT IS NOW CHAPTER 16 OF THE STATUTES OF CANADA, 1993.

SOR/97-201 15 April, 1997 pursuant to section 5 and paragraph 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, in force September 1, 1997

The expression "walk-in van-type truck" in subsection 208(13) of Schedule IV is replaced with "walk-in van".

SOR/97-447 17 September, 1997 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, effective January 1, 1998

Revoked and replaced.

SOR/98-125 19 February, 1998 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, into force April 1, 1999

Subsection (10.1) is added after subsection (10) in section 208 of Schedule IV.

SOR/2002-55 31 January 2002 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, comes into force February 13, 2003.

Subsection 208(26)(c) of Schedule IV is replaced.

SOR/2003-272 24 July, 2003 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, comes into force 24 July, 2003.

The portion of subsection 208(1) of Schedule IV before paragraph (a) is replaced; The portion of subsection 208(2) of Schedule IV before paragraph (a) is replaced; Section 208 of Schedule IV is amended by adding subsection (2.1) after subsection (2); Section 208 of Schedule IV is amended by adding subsection (21.1) after subsection (21); The portion of subsection 208(23) of Schedule IV before paragraph (a) is replaced;  Section 208 of Schedule IV is amended by adding subsection (23.1) after subsection (23); The portion of subsection 208(25) of Schedule IV before paragraph (a) is replaced.


Last updated: 2005-03-02 Top of Page Important Notices