NEW DVLA Van To Motorcaravan Requirements

[groyne]

My van sailed through the reclassification last year. But despite the fact that it is light and airey inside, (two big roof lights and an extractor vent),

and has more than the minimum fixtures and fittings, if I submitted it this year, it would probably be rejected.

Why, because it has only one window either side, no awning and no graphics.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Yeah like so many things it’s all about ‘Dates’ isn’t it !. What Qualified last yea, is different to This year & will probably change Next year ...

I’m sure they just think some of these changes up to justify jobs

 

[izwozral]

There's a lot of over-thinking going on.
For whatever reason (police concern about ringing vehicles at the time) DVLA are now applying the 'look like a camper' criterion for body type change introduced several years ago.
They've finally published the key factors they consider to be essential for external recognition - which let's face it aren't unreasonable.
1. You need to be able to stand in it or it's not habitable and whilst they won't accept a pop-top no-one complaining here has said that's what they installed.
2. There should be natural light to the living area and they say 2 windows behind the cab doors on one side one which will serve the whole living area - that's not a lot to ask. Are there any camper vans at first registration that don't have 2 side windows on one side?
3. A separate access to living space has always been a requirement.
4. An 'awning rail' is something a very high proportion of camper vans have and isn't a big deal to screw on for the photos (but second hand and resell if not wanted?)
5. Camper van graphics - again at first registration a very high proportion of camper vans have them.

 

[trevskoda]

Fact is they dont want you to wild camp,go to a camp site put out a large awning,deck chairs ,gas barby,wind breaker,dog bowl etc and pay a fortune for the privalage of doing so.
No more hiding in side streets or car parks you naughty lot,if you do then you will be shiped to auz land in a four masted scooner.

 

[Fazerloz]

Are the so called professional builders getting around this problem as many use second hand vans to convert.

 

[trevskoda]

Are the so called professional builders getting around this problem as many use second hand vans to convert.

I would think a lot half way through a conversion are going to be very angry and out money.
Cannot see how they got away with any changes without a term of notafication,dare i say an illegal move which should be challenged.

 

[Fazerloz]

Has any of the disgruntled builders gone down this route.
If you cannot resolve your complaint with the DVLA you can send your case to the Parliamentary & Health Ombudsman, however, you cannot send your case directly to the Ombudsman, but, have to go via your local MP who can forward your case to the Ombudsman.

 

[mark61]

Never been bothered what mine has been registered as. Might try and change it now though, the new regs are nonsense.

 

[GreggBear]

Fact is they dont want you to wild camp,go to a camp site put out a large awning,deck chairs ,gas barby,wind breaker,dog bowl etc and pay a fortune for the privalage of doing so.
No more hiding in side streets or car parks you naughty lot,if you do then you will be shiped to auz land in a four masted scooner.

Shipped to Oz eh?, Can I take my bus?....

 

[GreggBear]

Fact is they dont want you to wild camp,go to a camp site put out a large awning,deck chairs ,gas barby,wind breaker,dog bowl etc and pay a fortune for the privalage of doing so.
No more hiding in side streets or car parks you naughty lot,if you do then you will be shiped to auz land in a four masted scooner.

Shipped to Oz eh?, Can I take my bus?...

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Fact is they dont want you to wild camp,go to a camp site put out a large awning,deck chairs ,gas barby,wind breaker,dog bowl etc and pay a fortune for the privalage of doing so.
No more hiding in side streets or car parks you naughty lot,if you do then you will be shiped to auz land in a four masted scooner.

But will their be Head room & Two Windows in my Cabin ?

 

[daygoboy]

I haven't read the new regs or standards to be met, but the thing that I wouldn't
be surprised of being overlooked is means of escape in event of fire.
Believe me it can be the most important feature to consider when converting,
particularly long larger vans. Can even be used for rescue access.
I guess application of graphics and awnings may be considered of greater
significance, who knows how works the mind of the civil servant lol.

Some years ago on a campsite I witnessed a Merc. LWB 508d catch fire in the
hab area, I knew that the solo campermother had gone walkabout and left a baby
in the van, we were lucky to get that sleeping sprog in the back out alive, the kitchen
sited near the front had caught alight, hab access door was a side hung type immediately
to rear of the passenger door, and just a couple of very small inaccessible side wall windows
otherwise just steel body. The baby effectively was in a fire cul de sac.

There is a rule if not a regulation applied in Germany that there must be 2 means of
escape, windows of a certain minimum size? can suffice.
Have you checked how you would get out should the stove, woodburner or gas heater
go up in flames, might only be few short steps to the door but matchbox construction
M/homes take little time to flashover while your kipping.

 

[GreggBear]

Left the standard doors in my bus, side door near front & double doors at rear in the bedroom with emergency handles still fitted, just pull handle & both doors swing open even when locked.

 

[Markd]

Are the so called professional builders getting around this problem as many use second hand vans to convert.

Interesting point - I expect they cottoned on to the more rigourous regime pretty fast.
They may even have sweet talked those in their current pipeline through on the basis of ok last month why not now?
Presumably they have stopped pop-top conversion now.

 

[Markd]

My van sailed through the reclassification last year. But despite the fact that it is light and airey inside, (two big roof lights and an extractor vent),

and has more than the minimum fixtures and fittings, if I submitted it this year, it would probably be rejected.

Why, because it has only one window either side, no awning and no graphics.

Nice van and as you say light enough over the bed with the roof light.
At least all you would have been able to add the missing features easily enough.

 

[Asterix]

I've not tried to have my horsebox classified as a motorhome and looking at the new rules it would probably require a lot of changes,I've deliberately tried to keep the exterior looking like a horsebox,I'll keep it as an hgv.

 

[Markd]

I've not tried to have my horsebox classified as a motorhome and looking at the new rules it would probably require a lot of changes,I've deliberately tried to keep the exterior looking like a horsebox,I'll keep it as an hgv.

Probably makes sense - I'm not sure that there any major benefits once you are Private HGV tax class.
As you are still same body type as first reg then insurance company can't quibble.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hey ya Asterix
(Haven’t seen you about recently, must have been out of sync with your visits to site !)
Yeah The Nest is PHGV, so I don’t feel guilty parking in HGV stopovers, & Roat Tax is £165 a year (or there abouts)

 

[Asterix]

Probably makes sense - I'm not sure that there any major benefits once you are Private HGV.
As you are still same body type as first reg then insurance company can't quibble.

I couldn't see any benefit to changing but mainly don't want to stand out in the countryside and most people don't give a horsebox a second glance.

 

[Asterix]

Hey ya Asterix
(Haven’t seen you about recently, must have been out of sync with your visits to site !)
Yeah The Nest is PHGV, so I don’t feel guilty parking in HGV stopovers, & Roat Tax is £165 a year (or there abouts)

I'm usually a bit quiet over the summer months, work takes most of my time so I pop in for a nosy but don't hang about...that will all change shortly,you won't be able to get rid of me!