Question about the number of passengers who can be transported with category rights B, occurs for many drivers - especially for those who are planning family trips, traveling with friends, or using the car for commercial purposes. It would seem that the answer lies on the surface: “as many as there are seats in the cabin.” But in practice everything is more complicated: there is legal nuancesrelated to vehicle weight, interior design, as well as exceptions for certain types of vehicles.

In this article we will analyze in detail current traffic rules and technical regulations of the Customs Union for 2026, we’ll explain why you can’t focus only on the number of seat belts, and we’ll tell you what fines you face for overloading with passengers. You will also learn how to transport children correctly, whether it is possible to put people in a trailer, and what to do if the vehicle title indicates one number of seats, but the cabin indicates another.

What the law says: category B and number of passenger seats

According to paragraph 1 of article 25 of the Federal Law "On Road Safety", driver's license category B allows you to manage:

  • 🚗 Passenger cars with permissible maximum weight up to 3.5 tons and the number of seats (except for the driver’s seat) no more than 8.
  • 🚐 By minibuses (for example, Ford Transit, Gazelle Next), if they meet the above parameters.
  • 🛻 Passenger cars with trailer, if the trailer weight does not exceed 750 kg (or more, but subject to the condition that the total weight of the road train does not exceed 3.5 tons).

Key point: the law uses the term "number of seats" rather than "actual number of passengers"This means that even if there are 8 passenger seats in the cabin, you you have no right carry 9 people (including yourself), since category B limits exactly design capacity car.

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If the PTS or STS indicates “7 seats” (including the driver), but there are physically 8 seats in the cabin, transport more people than indicated in the documents, prohibited. If stopped by an inspector, this is equivalent to re-equipment without permission.

It is important to understand that category B does not give the right manage:

  • 🚌 By bus (category D), even if their weight is less than 3.5 tons, but the number of passenger seats exceeds 8.
  • 🚛 Trucks weighing over 3.5 tons (category C).
  • 🚚 Road trains with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, if the total weight exceeds 3.5 tons (category required BE).

How to determine the number of passengers allowed: 3 key sources

In order not to be mistaken with the number of passengers, check three documents:

  1. PTS (Vehicle Passport) - in the column "Number of seats" the official capacity is indicated. For example, the entry "5+1" means 5 passenger seats + 1 driver seat.
  2. STS (Vehicle Registration Certificate) — duplicates data from the PTS, but should always be at hand during the trip.
  3. Label on the car's center pillar (usually next to the driver's door) - contains information about the maximum weight and number of passengers.

If the data in these sources differs (for example, the PTS indicates 7 places, and the sign shows 8), information from PTS. Carrying more than the number of passengers specified in this document is considered a violation.

📊 How many passenger seats are there in your car?
Up to 5
6-7
8
More than 8 (category D required)
Source of information Example entry What does it mean
PTS, column "Number of seats" 5+1 5 passengers + 1 driver (total 6 people)
Sign on the counter MAX OCCUPANTS: 7 Maximum 7 people (including driver)
STS, paragraph 14 Seats including driver: 8 8 people (7 passengers + driver)
Trailer registration documents Passenger seats: 0 Transport people in a trailer prohibited

Is it possible to transport more passengers than indicated in the PTS?

No, you can't. Even if additional seats are physically installed in the cabin (for example, in Gazelle or Mercedes Vito), transportation in excess of the norm is considered a violation under two articles:

  1. Part 1 of Article 12.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation — violation of the rules for transporting people. Penalty: 3,000 rubles (for the driver).
  2. Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation — driving a vehicle with malfunctions (if additional seats are installed without permission). Penalty: 500 rubles or warning.

Moreover, if the car not intended to transport such a number of people (for example, in Lada Granta a third row of seats is installed), the traffic police inspector can:

  • 📋 Draw up a protocol on illegal conversion (fine up to 5,000 rubles).
  • 🚔 Prohibit further movement until the violation is eliminated.
  • 📝 Direct the car towards technical expertise.
What happens if “extra” passengers are injured in an accident?

If people transported in excess of the norm are injured in an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay under compulsory motor liability insurance, citing a gross violation of the vehicle operating rules. In addition, the driver may be prosecuted under Article 264 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Violation of traffic rules resulting in harm to health”).

The exception is when the car certified for more places. For example, some modifications Volkswagen Transporter or Peugeot Boxer have versions with 9 seats (including driver), but they require a category to operate them D1 (if the weight does not exceed 3.5 tons) or D.

Transporting children: features and limitations

When transporting children, additional rules apply: do not increase the total number of passengers, but impose restrictions on their accommodation:

  • 👶 Children up to 7 years must be transported only in child restraint systems (CDUs) that correspond to the weight and height of the child.
  • 👧 Children from 7 to 11 years can ride in the back seat without a child restraint system, but only using seat belts.
  • 🚗 There is a child in the front seat 12 years old can go only in kindergartens, and the air cushion should be disabled.

Important: if the car has 7 passenger seats, but one of them is occupied by a child seat, then the total number of people transported does not change. That is, you can still carry 7 passengers + driver, but one of them must be a child in the seat.

Make sure that the number of child care facilities corresponds to the number of children under 7 years old|

Check that seat belts are in good working order on all seats|

Disable the airbag if the child is sitting in the front|

Make sure that the seats do not block access to emergency exits -->

⚠️ Attention: If the car is transported organized groups of children (for example, a school class), a special permit is required, and the driver must have at least experience 3 years and category D (even if the bus weighs less than 3.5 tons).

Is it possible to transport passengers in a trailer?

No, you can't. According to clause 22.8 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations, transporting people in a trailer prohibited, except:

  • 🚜 Trailers, specially designed for transporting people (for example, travel trailers with appropriate certification).
  • 🚛 Trailers used for official purposes (for example, for transporting work crews in trailers with seats and an awning, but only if this is permitted by the design).

In most cases, light trailers (for example, for Lada Largus or UAZ Patriot) are not certified for the carriage of passengers. Violation of this rule is punishable by a fine Part 2 of Article 12.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation — 1,000 rubles.

If you plan to use the trailer to transport people, make sure that:

  1. B Trailer title permission to carry passengers is indicated.
  2. The trailer is equipped seats with seat belts.
  3. The total weight of the road train does not exceed 3.5 tons (otherwise you will need a category BE).

Fines for overloading with passengers: what the driver faces

Violations of the rules for transporting passengers are punishable under two articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

Violation Article of the Administrative Code Fine Additional measures
Excess number of passengers (in excess of PTS) Part 1 art. 12.23 3,000 rub. Evacuation of vehicles to impound lot
Transporting people in an uncertified trailer Part 2 art. 12.23 1,000 rub. Prohibition of further movement
Unbelted passengers (including children without child restraints) Part 3 art. 12.23 3,000 rub. —
Re-equipment of a vehicle (installation of additional seats without permission) Part 1 art. 12.5 500 rub. Requirement to return the vehicle to its original condition

If the violation is recorded again, fines double. For example, you will have to pay for the repeated transportation of excess passengers 6,000 rubles.

⚠️ Attention: If, as a result of overloading with passengers, an accident occurs with injuries, the driver may be brought to justice criminal liability under Article 264 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Violation of traffic rules resulting in serious harm to health or death”).

Frequent mistakes and myths about transporting passengers

Let's look at common misconceptions that can lead to fines:

  • 🚫 Myth 1: “You can carry as many people as there are seat belts in a car.”
    Reality: The number of belts does not determine the permitted capacity. The main criterion is the data in PTS.
  • 🚫 Myth 2: “If all passengers agree to ride without seat belts, there will be no fine.”
    Reality: The responsibility lies with the driver, not the passengers. Fine 3,000 rubles will be written out anyway.
  • 🚫 Myth 3: “In a minibus up to 3.5 tons you can transport as many people as you like, if there is category B.”
    Reality: Category B allows you to transport no more than 8 passengers (plus driver). For 9+ seats a category is required D1 or D.

Another common mistake is ignoring maximum permissible weight. For example, if in Gazelle with permissible weight 3.5 tons seat 8 passengers 80 kg each + driver + luggage, the total weight may exceed the permissible limit. This equates to overload and is punishable by a fine Article 12.21.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (1,000–1,500 rubles).

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Category B allows you to transport up to 8 passengers + driver, but only if this is permitted by the design of the vehicle (indicated in the PTS). Exceeding the norm or transportation in an uncertified trailer is punishable by fines from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.

Is it possible to transport 9 people in a minibus with category B if the weight is less than 3.5 tons?

No. Category B allows transportation no more than 8 passengers (plus the driver), even if the vehicle weight is within the limit. Category required for 9+ seats D1 (if the weight is up to 3.5 tons) or D.

What should I do if the vehicle title indicates 5 seats, but I need to transport 7 people?

Necessary legalize refurbishment:

  1. Contact traffic police to make changes to the vehicle design.
  2. Get resolution for the installation of additional seats.
  3. Pass technical expertise and make changes to the PTS/STS.

Installing seats yourself without permission is considered a violation and is punishable by a fine.

Is it possible to put passengers in the trunk if there are seats?

No. Carrying people in the trunk prohibited, even if there are seats installed there. Exception - specially certified cars (for example, some models Mercedes-Benz Vito with an additional row in the luggage compartment).

What is the maximum number of children that can be transported in a car?

The number of children is not limited, but:

  • Every child up to 7 years must be in childcare.
  • The total number of passengers (including children) must not exceed the number of seats specified in PTS.
  • If there are many children, make sure that all seat belts and child restraint attachments are in good working order.
Do you need category D to drive a minibus with 8 passenger seats?

No, if the vehicle weight does not exceed 3.5 tons. Category B allows you to drive minibuses with up to 8 passenger seats (plus driver). For 9+ seats a category will be required D1 or D.