DVLA and reclassifying a converted campervan
- Thread starter Mavis628
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I’m out at the moment but will post a pic of my V5 when I get back
The reason was that my V5 said panel van 3 seats but I had bought a six seater vehicle with windows.
John.
Best to have it “squared off” in case of an insurance claim!
I sent my V5 off after Christmas and in early February I received a letter asking me to complete a couple of forms which didn't seem relevant to my application. I duly completed the stupid forms and also sent a load of pictures.
All I wanted to do is inform the dvla that my vehicle was a 2 seat panel van and it now has 5 seats and windows because the v5 says that's what I should do!
I couldn't give a Sh!7 what my V5 says, so long as my ride remains perfect and I am complying with the rules by updating the dvla with any amendments. It is most odd that the staff at the dvla are so difficult, jobsworth and generally difficult to deal with when you consider that it them that require the amendments!
Does anyone know why this is such a bore to get sorted?
All I wanted to do is inform the dvla that my vehicle was a 2 seat panel van and it now has 5 seats and windows because the v5 says that's what I should do!
I couldn't give a Sh!7 what my V5 says, so long as my ride remains perfect and I am complying with the rules by updating the dvla with any amendments. It is most odd that the staff at the dvla are so difficult, jobsworth and generally difficult to deal with when you consider that it them that require the amendments!
Does anyone know why this is such a bore to get sorted?
The only reason to care what the V5 says is to remove any wriggle risk room for your insurance company! The rest of it is just what is recorded and one can argue the reality in court!
Why they are such idiots is historical….stems back to why that function was transferred to Swansea!!! The place is riddled with staffing and union issues!
The DVLA have been unfit for purpose for years. They are continually in one dispute or another. They seem particularly efficient at selling our details to private parking companies though.
Need a high top and caravan "style" windows
Eurotunnel now specifically ask you the question..."is your van a campervan?" when booking, whereas before they just relied on the DVLA database. Don't know whether this is just for VW transporters or other makes.
For most things, insurance, UK ferries, it does not seem to matter. It was mostly the speed limit issue I was worried about. However this webpage says the DVLA classification does not decide that. The definition in the legislation matters more. Appeal any speeding ticket!! Reclassifying Your Panel Van or Van with Windows to a Motorcaravan – the Conundrum!
There’s a very long thread elsewhere on here if you use the search function.
But in short, almost impossible now unless done by a converter PRIOR to first registration, AND they have taken the time and expense to get registered to meet requirements, which most haven’t done.
Yes you can technically still do it, but you need to evidence a number of things, including high top roof (a pop top wouldn’t count) windows (not sure where the caravan style part has come from as it wasn’t on the list last time I checked last year), bed, kitchen, decals, awning rail etc, etc. Suffice to say that it’s a high bar and most will come back as “van with windows” even if you make the formal application, as I did. Their main issue is what it looks like from outside.
All seems a bit bizarre to me, as you could have a conversion which mirrors a Cali (and might look identical fom the outside) yet the Cali as it’s first registered by VW ready built would get registered as a motor caravan (simply because they are registered with DVLA) yet the same spec done as a conversion wouldn’t meet the DVLA criteria and would be classed as a van with windows.
Anyway, insurers don’t seem concerned now, which appeared to be an issue previously. Even the M1 vs N1 debate re speed limits doesn’t seem to matter as much now either, as DVLA take the view that as long as you are satisfied that the conversion meets a similar standard as a motor caravan, you can use it as such. So in theory, that extends to the same speed limits.
Yes you may have to evidence this if stopped or sent an FPN, but DVLA seem ok with it and even send a letter to this effect with the updated V5 when it comes back, so if it came to it, you’d just show this, or provide as evidence. I haven’t seen any discussion on here of it actually coming to that on speed limits though….. although this is the point where someone will probably come along and prove me wrong and say that they’ve had a fight over it!
Speeding “Class of vehicle” (Kombi 2040kg)
This may help someone else - My VW is a SWB T30 I got clocked going 62mph on the A39 in Cornwall. The ticket says EXCEEDED SPEED LIMIT CLASS OF VEHICLE! Here are the facts for those that do not know them. If your van meets certain criteria then it has the same speed limit as a normal Car. Here...
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