DMV says I need a bench seat to be a passenger van! Anyone got one?

Hey guys, I need to borrow or buy a rear bench seat for my van. The DMV says it a commercial vehicle without a way to haul passengers... Anyone up for loaning me a seat for a day or so? Maybe someone has a seat they need out of there yard? Lol

Ryan

I see minivan bench seats on craigslist for free quite often....

Didn't think of that. Lol I was just at pic a part since its a few blocks from the DMV. A rear bench seat is 17$ choices choices. At this point I don't want to own one, and if I did what one would I get? Saw some really cool ones that fold into beds but one sure they are too wide.

Well, if you get one, when you are done with it just put it on the porch with a kegerator next to it... livin the redneck dream!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yY1xe8wrlI

i just built a couch/bed combo similar to this with some scrap wood and $4 worth of screws...

chasgas

Vanner68 the ole lady would be pissed if I replaced the hideaway bead on the porch with an old car bench seat. Where would the dawgs sleep? Lol

Chasgas, that bed idea is cool! I have hundreds of free pallets, but this week I need a quick fix.

Does the seat need to have seat belts to make the DMV happy?

No, but she did say bolted down.

Lawn chairs and conduit clamps.

That's California for you, here in the Midwest they don't pester you with such nonsense,  they are just happy to take your money.

Lawn chairs crossed my mind. Lol

Ya, the people's republic of California wants to big brother you all the time.

set your couch or love seat in there

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/online/fee_calc/vehdef.htm
"A "commercial vehicle" is a vehicle which is used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property (for example, trucks and pickups). Vehicle Code Section 260."

VC Sec 260
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc260.htm

260.  (a) A "commercial vehicle" is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

(b) Passenger vehicles and house cars that are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit are not commercial vehicles. This subdivision shall not apply to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3.

(c) Any vanpool vehicle is not a commercial vehicle.

(d) The definition of a commercial vehicle in this section does not apply to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) of Division 6.

Amended Sec. 11, Ch. 861, Stats. 2000. Effective September 28, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 222, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.


If your van was originally a passenger van as noted by the ID number, they should not have an issue. If your van was a commercial van originally, you probably do need a seat to get it through.
If you live/drive in an urban area with lots of Yellow zones (like San Diego), you may want to consider a commercial plate. Check with your insurance first to make sure it will not affect that.
I figured the extra money for the plate was worth it for the extra usually open spaces to park and cheaper than a single ticket.

Rodstrace, I'm going the non commercial route. I've learned you can't fight the DMV because when they get confused the send you to hwy patrol. Out of the pan and into the fire!

One pedestal seat bolted down in the back should do. Then you could put it next to the hide-a-bed and use the cooler for an ottoman!

Love these ideas. But for now Scotty loaned me his seat to get past the DMV.

Thanks again Scotty

had the same thing happen to me... Man I hate the DMV. took me 4 months and 6 trips to the DMV (or the welfare office, i like to call it) to get my van registered! If you need a bench seat I still have mine that's not installed and you can borrow it. They actually said that I needed my van weighed and certified by the highway patrol. I actually got escorted out of the DMV by the security guard! Not a high point in my "be kind to others" part of my life!!

Ya, it doesn't pay to argue with the DMV. I've had to goto the CHP after arguing with the DMV before. So when the lady says I need a seat, ill go get a seat. Lol

As a car guy, there is nothing that anyone has posted on a forum anywhere that makes me wish I lived in Kalifornia.

Lol nice weather?

Put a mattress in the back and tell them it's a mobile pleasure van....

Never have I found a group of people who think like me more! Lol

Lazarusvan wrote:Put a mattress in the back and tell them it's a mobile pleasure van....

I like this idea. Just toss some cheap looking used lingerie all over the back, and DMV won't want to poke around back there to see if the mattress is indeed bolted down.

Or, if they persist, offer them a pair of rubber gloves and mention that the mattress "Sealant" you applied last night may not be dry yet.....

I bet they wound give in at that point.........

A-b class motor home. Just add portapotty

I have a hammock in mine.