V5 Documentation - DVLA Rule Change for Motor Caravan Reregistration June 2019

[Sabre]

As far as I’m aware there is no such DVLA classification as ‘campervan’. They use the classification Motor Caravan.

You know what I meant.

I understand new Californias are registered as MPVs

there ya go. I read earlier in some thread that these pre-manufactured vans get the classification, but, it seems its only the big motorhomes.

 

[JOG]

How do they classify new California's these days then?

“Motor Caravan” - I have a California

 

[andys]

“Motor Caravan” - I have a California

A new one? I know early last year they were being registered as MPVs but I don't know if that's changed. They were certainly all Motorcaravans before Oct 19 like most campervans.

 

[JOG]

Here you go:

 

[JOG]

A new one? I know early last year they were being registered as MPVs but I don't know if that's changed. They were certainly all Motorcaravans before Oct 19 like most campervans.

Apologies....I misunderstood. Mine is 2018

 

[Finestre]

How do they classify new California's these days then?

MPV or something that’s higher tax than a motor caravan - hence the outcry from those that ordered a California before the tax changes

 

[JOG]

MPV or something that’s higher tax than a motor caravan - hence the outcry from those that ordered a California before the tax changes

Ouch!

 

[DXX]

Ouch!

The converted vehicle doesn’t get taxed as a Motor Caravan, the tax remains the same as when the vehicle was first registered.

 

[JOG]

The converted vehicle doesn’t get taxed as a Motor Caravan, the tax remains the same as when the vehicle was first registered.

True. But the California isn't a conversion - it's a factory made jobbie albeit a Transporter derivative!

 

[Alan Ginger]

Hi my friends - I do not understand the “storm” of this debate. I have tried looking on the internet - words on one syllable please for a man of a small brain- van with windows or motor caravan? Why does it make a difference?

 

[Finestre]

Hi my friends - I do not understand the “storm” of this debate. I have tried looking on the internet - words on one syllable please for a man of a small brain- van with windows or motor caravan? Why does it make a difference?

Motor caravan is prescribed in legislation - affects speed limits, tolls etc.
It is not a “goods vehicle“ therefore should not be subject to the regs and legislation for goods vehicles.

Van with windows is a DVLA descriptor - no basis in law.

Assuming your camper is under 3.05t then the DVLA descriptor of van with windows means ANPR systems will create overcharge for tolls, create prosecutions for speeding as it will “see” a goods vehicle when legally it is not a goods vehicle but a motor caravan (as defined)

Also some insurance companies will only insure as a van and debate over the cost of replacement for interior if a total loss. Yes there are specialist companies but that’s another debate.

 

[Alan Ginger]

Motor caravan is prescribed in legislation - affects speed limits, tolls etc.
It is not a “goods vehicle“ therefore should not be subject to the regs and legislation for goods vehicles.

Van with windows is a DVLA descriptor - no basis in law.

Assuming your camper is under 3.05t then the DVLA descriptor of van with windows means ANPR systems will create overcharge for tolls, create prosecutions for speeding as it will “see” a goods vehicle when legally it is not a goods vehicle but a motor caravan (as defined)

Also some insurance companies will only insure as a van and debate over the cost of replacement for interior if a total loss. Yes there are specialist companies but that’s another debate.

Many thanks for that, it is clear. I had never even considered the ANPR issues, as it van is under 3.05t

 

[JOG]

Hi my friends - I do not understand the “storm” of this debate. I have tried looking on the internet - words on one syllable please for a man of a small brain- van with windows or motor caravan? Why does it make a difference?

Speed limits! My California allows me to do 70mph (where allowed) without fear of a NIP as it is a “motor caravan.” A converted panel van could receive a NIP as it is limited to 60mph according to DVLA. The driver then has to demonstrate that it satisfies the classification of use to get the NIP scrubbed!

 

[CAB]

To add to @Finestre 's excellent summary, the DVLA used to register any vehicle with the required INTERNAL modifications as a motor caravan.

Since June 2019 (?), after presumably agency and police consultations, they only register them if they also have all EXTERNAL features, the most significant being a High Top.

Their rationale is that this descriptor is used by emergency services to identify vehicles. The use by speed cameras and the inadvertent capturing of converted vans when they should not be is just an unfortunate side effect.

 

[Alan Ginger]

Speed limits! My California allows me to do 70mph (where allowed) without fear of a NIP as it is a “motor caravan.” A converted panel van could receive a NIP as it is limited to 60mph according to DVLA. The driver then has to demonstrate that it satisfies the classification of use to get the NIP scrubbed!

Many thanks that is clear. As I said never even thought about that.

 

[Finestre]

E-Mail from a policy advisor at the Department for Transport

In a nutshell - carry on at car speed limits (assuming under 3.05 tonnes unladen weight of course).

However this doesn't solve the issue with being charged goods vehicle rates on toll roads etc. so the work continues, but I at least have a confirmation that I can send back with any NIP I receive.

Thank you for your email below to the Department for Transport about the speed limit for your vehicle, which has been converted into a motor caravan. I have been asked to respond as my team deals with this policy area.

Please note that I am unable to give legal advice, however I can point you to the relevant legislation and give you the Department’s view.

The national speed limits for different categories of road vehicle depend on how the vehicle is configured for use on the road. The legislation applicable is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Schedule 6 (see link below), which lists vehicle types which are restricted to speeds below the national speed limits.

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

The Department has produced guidance on the various speed limits on the gov.uk website (see link below), which includes advice on motor caravans:

Speed limits

As you will see, a motor caravan that exceeds 3.05 tonnes unladen weight is restricted to lower speeds than the national limits i.e. 70 mph on motorways; 60 mph on dual carriageways; 50 mph on single-carriageways, unless locally marked. If you draw a trailer (or trailers) of any type then lower limits apply.

If a motor caravan does not exceed 3.05 tonnes unladen weight, then it is not restricted to lower speeds than the national limits (i.e. it can travel at the same speed limit as a car).

Motor caravans which carry goods or burden not directly necessary for the purpose of living in the vehicle, would be classed as goods vehicles and subject to current goods vehicle requirements for speed limits.

I assume from the information in your email below that your vehicle has been converted into a motor caravan; so that it meets the definition of a motor caravan (see link below) and that DVLA have said they cannot change the body type on the vehicles V5C registration form to ‘motor caravan’ but to “van/side windows”.

Internal features for motor caravans

We have been informed by DVLA that the body type information held on the DVLA’s records must describe what a vehicle actually looks like. If the exterior of the vehicle does not look like a motor caravan, DVLA will be unable to change the body type. However, vehicle keepers are still able to use the vehicle as a motor caravan provided any alterations made do not compromise the vehicle’s safety.

In addition, if you, as the owner of the vehicle, are satisfied that the vehicle meets the definition of a motor caravan then you can operate it as such and adhere to the speed limit applicable to motor caravans.

I would like to clarify that the speed limit of a vehicle is not dependent on the information on the V5C registration document. It is determined by how the vehicle is configured for use on the road and the applicable legislation mentioned above.

Hope this helps !

 

[DXX]

As you will see, a motor caravan that exceeds 3.05 tonnes unladen weight is restricted to lower speeds than the national limits i.e. 70 mph on motorways; 60 mph on dual carriageways; 50 mph on single-carriageways, unless locally marked.

And then

I would like to clarify that the speed limit of a vehicle is not dependent on the information on the V5C registration document.

Does that mean the weights on the V5 are not valid and we should get the vans unladen weight checked after conversion?

 

[Finestre]

Does that mean the weights on the V5 are not valid and we should get the vans unladen weight checked after conversion?

Possibly but I believe the unladen weight is based on the original build.

The proper way to sort this would be for every conversion to go through an IVA and reclassified, which I’m surprised the DVLA haven’t pushed for.

 

[DXX]

Possibly but I believe the unladen weight is based on the original build.

The proper way to sort this would be for every conversion to go through an IVA and reclassified, which I’m surprised the DVLA haven’t pushed for.

My van was re-classified as a motor caravan under the old rules, there was never any mention of requiring a weigh-bridge certificate for the new weight.

 

[JOG]

My van was re-classified as a motor caravan under the old rules, there was never any mention of requiring a weigh-bridge certificate for the new weight.

I think the weight added by the conversion counts against the permissible payload ie leaving a reduced payload?