V5 Documentation - DVLA Rule Change for Motor Caravan Reregistration June 2019
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Ok, so let’s play it your way, from the top:-
“All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan”
That seems pretty unequivocal to me.
If that’s not the case, how does a Cali qualify to be a “motor caravan” when a converted van with pop top does not?
The document is pretty thorough on what the minimum interior requirements are, but strangely vague on what a “motor home” looks like externally, it simply states the the vehicle should “appear” to be a motor home. It even mixes the terminology, nowhere on the V5 refers to a “motor home” the official term is “motor caravan”
I’m sure that a test case will be along shortly & any half decent solicitor would have a field day with the guidance doc.
If you read further down the document, the DFT definition of a motor caravan makes no reference whatsoever to the outside appearance.
If it walks like a duck & quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.
Follow the money, as pointed out earlier by @oldiebut goodie himself you can save a chunk of cash on road tax, save money on congestion charge and dodge speeding tickets, therefore criminals like us who are costing the government money must be weeded out and made to drive vans with windows. More importantly made to pay more money so that this shambles can carry on running the country into the ground.
Sorry nearly forgot, the insurance companies won’t have a problem charging more for vans with windows either will they
Sorry nearly forgot, the insurance companies won’t have a problem charging more for vans with windows either will they
You forgot the important one - if it looks like a duck!
You have again seized upon the fact that suits you there - you have read the piece about campervans/ motor caravans/ motorhomes but haven't cottoned on to that it is just defining the various terms as "motor caravan", there is no dispute with that statement at all! Then the requirement for change of body type comes into play. I am not saying that it is a perfect piece of setting out of the requirements by any means but it is quite clear as to what is meant.
There is no point them quoting the now defunct DFT guidelines as they are archived and they are superseded by the previous list. They may as well not be there at all!
This is now covering the California aspect surely?
Personally I would never look at a van driving past me and say that it was a motor caravan because it has a pop top, more than likely I wouldn't even see the pop top whereas a high top would be very noticeable. I think that this is how the ordinary man-in-the-street would identify them also.
Follow the money, as pointed out earlier by @oldiebut goodie himself you can save a chunk of cash on road tax, save money on congestion charge and dodge speeding tickets, therefore criminals like us who are costing the government money must be weeded out and made to drive vans with windows. More importantly made to pay more money so that this shambles can carry on running the country into the ground.
Sorry nearly forgot, the insurance companies won’t have a problem charging more for vans with windows either will they
Insurance companies will insure you as a motor caravan without it being stated on the V5. Just find the right one. ( Yes, both my T3 and my Merc 508 were insured as camper vans and did not have motor home on either V5.)
Stop moaning about this, that and the other, this government/that government, money etc. and sort your life yourself, anger will not solve something that baulks you but thinking around the problem and tackling it differently may well solve your gripes.
@oldiebut goodi, using your worldy wisdom at understanding the rules...
If a full camper conversion was carried out in March 2019, before the new rules were brought out & applied in May 2019 and the DVLA were only asked to change the V5 today, would the old rules or new rules be applied?
The point is that they are not new rules, they are applying the same rules as previous it is just that they are no longer being so lenient as to accepting a non change of body type with the rest of the internal requirements to be the reason for changing the body type. They have just tightened up their procedures. Somehow it became lax and it had become the norm to let virtually anything go through. The conversion could have been carried out in 1940 but the rules that they are working under apply when a vehicle is first registered or change requested so date of conversion is not relevant.
People seem to think that I am in agreement with their procedures but I am not but they have defined what is required ( poorly).
People seem to think that I am in agreement with their procedures but I am not but they have defined what is required ( poorly).
I suspect yes, and a good test and that will be okay in most instances as the speed limit goes and you get a cheaper euro tunnel crossing.
Some specialists insurance policies that require you to have motor caravan on the V5 will no longer be available.
There is no new rule! Just firmer application of the rules already in place.
Wise words.
My van was purchased in May this year. It’s a full Camper King conversion, windows all round and an upturned bath tub pop top. Mine got through and I got my new V5 in June.
With the widespread use of low profile roofs and the need to create stealth type campers, I can understand the clampdown. Without my obvious pop top, my van could be confused with a taxi, private ambulance or a Caravelle! Along with this I have waste outlet and diesel heater exhaust on the drivers side along with water and power inlets.
Most converters know what photos to take in getting the V5 changed but I’m just glad mine got through when it did!
With the widespread use of low profile roofs and the need to create stealth type campers, I can understand the clampdown. Without my obvious pop top, my van could be confused with a taxi, private ambulance or a Caravelle! Along with this I have waste outlet and diesel heater exhaust on the drivers side along with water and power inlets.
Most converters know what photos to take in getting the V5 changed but I’m just glad mine got through when it did!
They’re not getting my logbook back...!
'.......All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’. If you have converted a van into a motor caravan then you must return the V5C to DVLA for body type amendment'.
'.....DVLA is required to record the details of vehicles for road safety and law enforcement. The body type information held on the vehicle record must describe what a vehicle actually looks like.....'
Personally, I'm in the camp of this being contradictory. The guidance clearly states 'All campervans'.
It appears the case that now, NOT all campervans fall into this category. Campervans that are minus external distinguishing features (whatever that is deemed to be) apparently do not. Its badly worded. The wording should include terms such as unless, excepted, however etc.
The criteria to meet conformity with a motor caravan predominantly deals with internal fixtures and fittings. The only external requirements listed are a door and a window into the living area. Given its the Department for Transport that have defined what a motor caravan is, I don't see how DVLA can refuse these re registrations based on concerns from the Police, if that is indeed the case. The Police don't make legislation, they're simply tasked with enforcing it (amongst many other duties, I might add).
As I've mentioned in other posts, this is yet another example of unfit for purpose guidance and/or legislation where road traffic and construction and use regs are concerned.
'.....DVLA is required to record the details of vehicles for road safety and law enforcement. The body type information held on the vehicle record must describe what a vehicle actually looks like.....'
Personally, I'm in the camp of this being contradictory. The guidance clearly states 'All campervans'.
It appears the case that now, NOT all campervans fall into this category. Campervans that are minus external distinguishing features (whatever that is deemed to be) apparently do not. Its badly worded. The wording should include terms such as unless, excepted, however etc.
The criteria to meet conformity with a motor caravan predominantly deals with internal fixtures and fittings. The only external requirements listed are a door and a window into the living area. Given its the Department for Transport that have defined what a motor caravan is, I don't see how DVLA can refuse these re registrations based on concerns from the Police, if that is indeed the case. The Police don't make legislation, they're simply tasked with enforcing it (amongst many other duties, I might add).
As I've mentioned in other posts, this is yet another example of unfit for purpose guidance and/or legislation where road traffic and construction and use regs are concerned.
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