Reclassification advice please

[burridge01]

The time is drawing near to part with my T4 and I have been eying a Sprinter mini bus.Is it a straight forward to get the classification changed from mini bus to say a day van or similar.Only really need that and not a full on camper.Thanks for any advice given.

 

[wildebus]

The time is drawing near to part with my T4 and I have been eying a Sprinter mini bus.Is it a straight forward to get the classification changed from mini bus to say a day van or similar.Only really need that and not a full on camper.Thanks for any advice given.

There is no such thing as a "Day Van" in terms of vehicle classification.

A Sprinter Mini Bus without all the seats could be reclassfied as a "Van /Windows" i.e. A Standard Van with Side Glass instead of the Metal Panel.
What kind of MOT does THIS Minibus have? Does it look the same as a Car MOT one, or it is a PSV test (looks like the old style car MOTs, hand written on a Pink Form).
What weight is the Sprinter?

 

[burridge01]

Thanks for the reply,in answer to your questions,i don't know.But taking it that it had PSV written all over it then what would I need to do to reclassify.Regarding the weight I would have to get it replated(?)It's a mwb high top.
Thanks

 

[Nabsim]

Does your license cover you for driving the mini bus as it is?

 

[wildebus]

Thanks for the reply,in answer to your questions,i don't know.But taking it that it had PSV written all over it then what would I need to do to reclassify.Regarding the weight I would have to get it replated(?)It's a mwb high top.
Thanks

if a MWB, I think (I don't know for sure, but pretty sure only the LWB Sprinters had a weight option above 3.5t?) it will be 3.5t maximum.
Assuming it is 3.5t, it is a standard weight van and you don't need to bother doing anything about weights. You can also take it to get a standard MOT rather than a PSV test if you want as it will be recorded as a PLG vehicle despite being a Minibus.
When I had mine reclassified from a Minibus to a Van/Windows, the DVLA asked me to take photos of the changes, and all I could think of was to take a picture of the inside without all the rear seats in! (difference between a van with windows and a minibus surely is just seats??)

I am not sure if changing from a minibus to a van/windows is a benefit or not? neither really matches what your use will be.

Does your license cover you for driving the mini bus as it is?

A good point. Think if you are old enough (Neil is old enough to have Stevensons Rocket on his license ) then you will have C1 (HGV) and D1 (Minibus) automatically. With a D1 endorsement you could carry driving it as a minibus no problems. Without D1 (or D) then really worth checking the situation - you may have no choice but to reclassify immediately.


As an aside, I know someone who has a VW LT (so same as Sprinter) MWB Minibus that came from same council as mine did. His is a complete Camper Conversion but is still a Minibus on the V5C and he somehow pays £160 Road Tax a year (my LWB 4.6t Minibus was £265 - so these two were the wrong way round!).
So if the road tax IS £160 AND you have the license entitlement to drive a Minibus, I am thinking maybe just leave as is!

 

[mark61]

MWB were available at higher weights. T1N's up to 4.6T NCV3 up to 5T.
Model number will give you a rough idea. ie 313, 413 etc, single or twin rear wheels, too. But checking VIN plate is best.

 

[burridge01]

My licence is good to drive it so no problem there.It's a mwb 313 single wheel.Regards changing the sprinter classification,if I don't need to then i'll leave as it is.

Can't get hold of the owner so may look elsewhere but for the same spec van.
Thanks for the help gents.

 

[wildebus]

No longer important for this situation, but I thought I would just check ....
Driving a minibus - GOV.UK
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’

You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
So in fact, Standard "B" License will suffice for any Van based minibus (my LWB Minibus has just 16 passenger seats) for private use

 

[Nabsim]

I will have you know Dave I have Wc6 on my licence Dave, that’s a war chariot pulled by a team of 6

 

[Asterix]

I was going to reclassify my 7.5t horsebox to a motorhome but I can't really see any advantage to it,I do find all the rules and regs very confusing and difficult to work through. The only real difference I can see is the mot test,if it was a motorhome I could do the same test as a car,but as an hgv I have to do the equivalent test which is dearer but road tax is cheaper so it all ends up about the same for on road costs.

 

[wildebus]

I was going to reclassify my 7.5t horsebox to a motorhome but I can't really see any advantage to it,I do find all the rules and regs very confusing and difficult to work through. The only real difference I can see is the mot test,if it was a motorhome I could do the same test as a car,but as an hgv I have to do the equivalent test which is dearer but road tax is cheaper so it all ends up about the same for on road costs.

you can combine the Road Tax rate of an HGV with the MOT cost of a car if you did reclassify.

 

[Asterix]

you can combine the Road Tax rate of an HGV with the MOT cost of a car if you did reclassify.

If I got it classed as a motorhome wouldn't it automatically be taxed at the same rate as a car? Can I pick and choose? I find the whole system very confusing,why a heavy vehicle pays less tax than a car just seems bonkers when you consider the wear and tear on roads and the much higher mileage of a working hgv...not that I'm complaining

 

[wildebus]

If I got it classed as a motorhome wouldn't it automatically be taxed at the same rate as a car? Can I pick and choose? I find the whole system very confusing,why a heavy vehicle pays less tax than a car just seems bonkers when you consider the wear and tear on roads and the much higher mileage of a working hgv...not that I'm complaining

you are right - it makes no sense at all, but that is how it is. My van is officially a Motor Caravan (last MOT was £40) and as it is 4.5t, it is a PHGV so pay Road tax of £160 (or is it £165?)
Soon as you hit >3.5t, you are in the HGV Tax Rate regardless of the vehicle classification (I understand quite a few Motorhomers get their vehicles upplated to just above the 3.5t GVW purely for this reason.


PS. you do potentially get into the minefield of "is it a Motor Caravan or is it a Living Van" argument, but that is a whole different topic (but may influence your decision)

 

[Asterix]

you are right - it makes no sense at all, but that is how it is. My van is officially a Motor Caravan (last MOT was £40) and as it is 4.5t, it is a PHGV so pay Road tax of £160 (or is it £165?)
Soon as you hit >3.5t, you are in the HGV Tax Rate regardless of the vehicle classification (I understand quite a few Motorhomers get their vehicles upplated to just above the 3.5t GVW purely for this reason.


PS. you do potentially get into the minefield of "is it a Motor Caravan or is it a Living Van" argument, but that is a whole different topic (but may influence your decision)

It's partly because of my complete confusion over all the rules that I just decided to leave it as is,until I get pulled for some unknown infraction of the rules. I did notice that the vosa guys doing my MOT had absolutely no interest in the fact that it was not longer a horsebox,even though they tested it as one. I must admit I was a bit nervous in case I hadn't interpreted everything correctly,and also never knew until then that horseboxes seem to be tested differently to goods vehicle,eg no added weight required for test.