questions about passengers and seatbelts

not sure how often this comes up but i plan on taking a few friends to the beach this weekend. i have the two seats up front with 3 point belts of course but i was wondering what the regulations were about having people in the back. i have two side facing bench seats built into the van. would these absolutley need seat belts to be legal. ive heard and read many different things. i made the two seats so i can make a bed out of them. i read quite a bit online about a "sleeper berth". i meet just about all the qualifications of making it a sleeper berth. but what does that mean? can passenger lay or sit there while in motion?

This is a pretty old post. Not sure you ever got am answer. I would say either way I would add seat belts just for the safety aspect, forget about what's legal. Anyway, we live near each other, if you still have your van look up Eastvale Classics on Facebook and Instagram.

Agreed, passenger safety would be a priority for me as well. I would feel horrible if I didn't have passenger seat belts and one or more of my friends were injured because I didn't provide them.

In California seat belts are required in cars '66 and later for all passengers, trucks I think are required for '70 and later. I'm not sure if our Vans are labeled as cars or trucks by DMV.
Campers have different requirements, I used to have a VW Bus and the title said under type "Housecar" It was a camper model.

Well my high backs are hard to find a long enough retractable belt! I almost slide out of my seat as I turn corners!! I must get to the seatbelts soon!