It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt in Tasmania. The Commissioner of Transport will only consider granting you an exemption from the requirement to wear a seatbelt when a Medical Practitioner completes the Medical Certificate portion of this application form.

All Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions and peak medical bodies have endorsed strict medical guidelines under which exemptions may be granted. Studies have indicated that if you do not wear a seatbelt your chances of being killed or severely injured in a motor vehicle crash are far higher than if you have been wearing a seatbelt.

Please consider your position carefully before you make an application for a seatbelt exemption.

What you need to know before continuing with the application.

• Why seatbelts are necessary 
• Alternative seatbelts 
• Assessment of applications 
• Medical guidelines for Medical Practitioners 
• Application form for Seatbelt Exemption, (PDF)

Why seatbelts are necessary

• It is a well proven fact that the chances of being injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes are significantly higher for unrestrained drivers and passengers. Studies have indicated that unrestrained occupants are over three times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident than those who wear seatbelts.
• Medical advice suggests there are very few medical conditions that prevent the wearing of a seatbelt (see section 4).
• All Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions and peak medical bodies have advised they only support the granting of exemptions to people who have certain medical conditions. (see section 4)
• In the interests of road safety the Commissioner of Transport is extremely reluctant to grant an exemption from the requirement to wear seatbelts, unless there is very clear and precise medical advice to support the exemption that indicates that the applicant is totally unable to wear a seatbelt (normal or modified), or other custom seatbelt as detailed in section 2.

Alternative seatbelts

Custom seatbelts, which are specifically designed to meet the requirements of people unable to wear standard seatbelts, should be carefully thought about when considering whether to apply for an exemption.

Custom seatbelts are manufactured to meet special requirements and provide individual fitting. Modified belts can remove pressure from sensitive areas and ensure a comfortable fit while maintaining a safety standard compatible with standard seatbelts.
Enquiries regarding modified seatbelts can be made direct to:

Assessment of Applications

Completed application forms should be returned to Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources where they will be assessed. Applicants should keep the Guidelines for reference purposes. The Commissioner of Transport may, under certain circumstances, request a review of the application by a medical specialist.

Applications will normally be processed within seven days. Once the assessment process is complete, the applicant will be notified in writing of the Registrar's decision.

Applicants who are granted an exemption will be provided with a certificate which must be carried at all times when riding in a motor vehicle.

Medical Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

Medical practitioners should refer to the "Assessing Fitness to Drive" guidelines, Second Edition, page 68, before assessing a person in relation to seatbelt exemption.

A) Situations where medical reasons could be considered valid for seatbelt exemption:

Musculoskeletal conditions and deformities

Severe abnormal skeletal conditions such as; rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosed major joints, deformity or fusion of the spine or major joints, other gross musculoskeletal deformities, or orthopaedic devices such as body casts may make it impossible to fasten a seatbelt properly. In such conditions an exemption may be considered.

People with a physical disability

People with a physical disability benefit from the use of seatbelts because of the stabilisation provided. The guidelines for musculoskeletal conditions and deformities also apply to persons with physical disabilities.

Special height and weight conditions

Persons less that 5 feet (or 153cm) and those extremely obese will require modification of the seatbelt system subject to meeting the Australian Design Rule Standards (ie. special restraints are available for children.) If this is not possible, consideration may be given to granting an exemption.

B) Situation where no valid medical reason exists for seatbelt exemptions:

Scars

Well healed scars on chest and abdomen are not harmed by properly fitted seatbelts. Recent tender or painful scars can be protected by a padding taped to the skin over which the seatbelt lies.

Pacemakers

Seatbelts do not cause discomfort to the pacemaker wearer or damage the pacemaker itself. After recent implantations the still tender surgical wound can be protected by a foam pad taped to the skin.

If the wearer of a pacemaker has received a direct compression force from the seatbelt, they should, as a precaution, have the pacemaker checked for any malfunction.

Ileostomies and colostomies

Abdominal stomata in persons of average size and build do not interfere with the use of a correctly fitted seatbelt. If involved in a motor vehicle crash when wearing a seatbelt there can occasionally be irritation to the exposed mucosa causing bleeding and even some mucosal tearing. However, such injuries are relatively minor when compared with the injuries that would have been sustained if a seatbelt had not been worn.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy, irrespective of stage, is not a valid reason for exempting seatbelt use. Studies of pregnant women wearing seatbelts involved in motor vehicle crashes have not shown any increase in injuries to the foetus, foetal loss or abortion as a result of proper use of a seatbelt.

It is important that pregnant women be instructed to position seatbelts properly - the lap part to lie comfortably below the anterior superior iliac spines and the diagonal (sash) part across the costal margin, the sternum and clavicle. In this way compression of the uterus by the restraint is avoided.

Psychological conditions

Persons with severe claustrophobic symptoms can be helped to accept seatbelts by an explanation of their benefits and by demonstration of the use of seatbelts as part of the operation of the motor vehicle.