Dvla Re-classification (1 Viewer)

Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
Following on from the recent posts regarding permitted weights and weighbridges I saw that those that uprated the weight found the road tax reduced as a bonus.
My Hymer has always been plated at 3850kg and classed as private light goods and road tax is £230.
It seems if it were classed as private HGV road tax would be £165 !
So I contacted DVLA to ask if it can be re-classified. It seems it can be but requires some form filling, V70 and V85 together with a fee of £25. They also want a plating certificate which I don`t have so I`ll have to work around that one.
Apart from the obvious £65 annual saving are there any downsides I should be aware of before doing this ?
I wasn`t particularly bothered one way or the other but as I see it it`s a free tank of fuel each year (y)
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
66,025
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
It appears that you have been paying the wrong tax for a while!

If you don't intend to down plate it to 3500kg then you need to get the details corrected to 3850kg so you pay the correct tax and then comply with the speed limits (abroad) and restrictions that being over 3500kg brings ... one thing to check now however is your current breakdown/recovery provision as some don't deal with vehicles plated over 3500kg whether in the correct vehicle class or not! :eek:
 
OP
OP
Figaro
Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
I want to keep it at 3850 as it`s got the usual extras that would probably make it very borderline useable at 3500 !
I only just bought it last month !

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Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
66,025
E Yorks
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149
MH
Carthago Compactline
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Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
I want to keep it at 3850 as it`s got the usual extras that would probably make it very borderline useable at 3500 !
I only just bought it last month !
Might be worth visiting a weighbridge fully loaded first and checking which classification you really fall into in practice ... if 3500kg then you could down plate and pay more road tax but then not have other things to consider; if over 3500kg then instead get it changed to 3850kg officially with the DVLA and pay less tax.

Have you tried contacting whoever you bought to from and playing 'hell' with them about the 'mess' you've found yourself in and getting them to sort it out?
 

rapido convert

Free Member
Feb 26, 2015
57
109
knutsford cheshire
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35,247
MH
A class rapido 996m
Exp
since 07
you have been paying plg tax, ask for a tax refund for all the years you have paid. At 3850 kgs plated weight you have always been phg taxation class, their mistake not your problem, you will probably talk to someone without any knowledge on the subject so ask for the line manager to call you.
the dvla are a nightmare it took nearly two months to sort out a simple weight upgrade on our bus.
good luck
Andy .
 

Flamenca

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 21, 2013
1,266
804
Europe
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26,598
MH
Hymer 564
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Since 2010
They also want a plating certificate which I don`t have so I`ll have to work around that one.
My V5 was incorrect and officially DVLA wanted a 'plating certificate' but I sent them a good quality photo of the chassis plate and a letter and they accepted that.

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Voyger1010

Free Member
Oct 25, 2013
129
285
UK
Funster No
28,743
Hymer has always been plated at 3850kg
I only just bought it last month !
Hi
Just check that it hasn't been re-plated downward at some point in the past before you had it and hadn't bothered to tell, as someone I know, carries two plates on his van one at 3500kg and one at 3850kg, in different places in the cab.
However it goes if your van is plated at 3850kg then the tax PHG is £165 . There are companies around, that will do the re-plating up or down for you with the plate and paperwork.
I guess weighbridge would be my next stop and weigh it as empty as you can get it, that will at least give you a weight you can compare to what the Hymer model specs say. Hope it all helps you to enjoy your new motorhome
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
66,025
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Details on the DVLA website here:

https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate/what-evidence-to-give

Whilst our new van will be plated at 3500kg as standard due to the chassis it's built on it can be up-plated without any modification, just a request to the DVLA to change it's classification ... whilst we're not intending to do this once we've got everything fettled and loaded if we're close to the limit at least we have the option to do so! (y)
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,715
147,684
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
Following on from the recent posts regarding permitted weights and weighbridges I saw that those that uprated the weight found the road tax reduced as a bonus.
My Hymer has always been plated at 3850kg and classed as private light goods and road tax is £230.
It seems if it were classed as private HGV road tax would be £165 !
So I contacted DVLA to ask if it can be re-classified. It seems it can be but requires some form filling, V70 and V85 together with a fee of £25. They also want a plating certificate which I don`t have so I`ll have to work around that one.
Apart from the obvious £65 annual saving are there any downsides I should be aware of before doing this ?
I wasn`t particularly bothered one way or the other but as I see it it`s a free tank of fuel each year (y)
What weight does it give on your V5?
May been plated down to 3500 & there is another plate somewhere.

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,715
147,684
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
someone I know, carries two plates on his van one at 3500kg and one at 3850kg, in different places in the cab.
That is correct you mustn't put the new plate over the old one.
I've just received my new plate from SV Tech, I spoke to them about fitting it that is the advice they gave me.
So when I go into a French village that has a 3.5T limit they can see the plate on the side of the van & if I get stopped for a eight check I show them the new plate. A win win situation.:D
 
Nov 4, 2011
5,888
38,140
Uk
Funster No
18,763
MH
A class
Exp
2001
That is correct you mustn't put the new plate over the old one.
I've just received my new plate from SV Tech, I spoke to them about fitting it that is the advice they gave me.
So when I go into a French village that has a 3.5T limit they can see the plate on the side of the van & if I get stopped for a eight check I show them the new plate. A win win situation.:D


Same here, not through SVTech, but I put my new weight plate inside drivers door.(n)
 
OP
OP
Figaro
Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
Have you tried contacting whoever you bought to from and playing 'hell' with them about the 'mess' you've found yourself in and getting them to sort it out?

No not at all, I don`t consider it a mess, and the seller is a genuine funster and all round good guy. Like me when I taxed it, I guess he just paid what DVLA asked for.
Thanks to all for replies

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OP
OP
Figaro
Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
Just looked on V5 and it does not specify any weight. Should it be under (Y) revenue weight, F1 Max permissable mass or G mass in service. All these are blank on my V5
 
OP
OP
Figaro
Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
No other plate visible anywhere
Sounds like it may be a DVLA mistake in not having weight on V5 to refer to ?
Not so happy then to pay the £25 fee they`re asking for, I may try and argue it with them and try and get it waived.
Am I sounding more like a Yorkshire man as this goes on ? (which I`m not)
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
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149
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Carthago Compactline
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Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Just looked on V5 and it does not specify any weight. Should it be under (Y) revenue weight, F1 Max permissable mass or G mass in service. All these are blank on my V5

I've just had a shuftie at mine, it states the following:

(X) Taxation class = Private/Light Goods (PLG)
(Y) Revenue weight = 3500kg gross​

Nothing under (G) Mass in service

weights.jpg

As I have a PVC I wonder if it is different to a coachbuilt?
 
OP
OP
Figaro
Feb 22, 2011
9,641
19,821
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
It`s the (Y) revenue weight that is missing where the error seems to have arrisen. It looks like it got overlooked somewhere along the line or DVLA never asked. I`ll see what happens, may be in for a long haul..........

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Voyger1010

Free Member
Oct 25, 2013
129
285
UK
Funster No
28,743
As I have a PVC I wonder if it is different to a coachbuilt?
No it's to do with the weight and your vehicle body type is classed as a motor caravan. If it was 3850kg it would be a private Heavy good PHG but as it's 3500kg it's classed as a Private Light Goods (PLG) and the fact that its a PVC makes no difference to the fact it's a Motor caravan. hope this helps
 

Voyger1010

Free Member
Oct 25, 2013
129
285
UK
Funster No
28,743
Not sure if you can do it yourself but this SV tech page link may help
Link Removed

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scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,091
9,068
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
then comply with the speed limits

which ones do you mean ? @MinxyGirl

reduced speed limits for motorhomes apply to all over 3.05t unladen

Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112)

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits
 
Last edited:

Jean-luc

Free Member
Aug 15, 2014
104
69
Funster No
32,824
MH
Rapido 963F
Exp
Since 2005
I've just had a shuftie at mine, it states the following:

(X) Taxation class = Private/Light Goods (PLG)
(Y) Revenue weight = 3500kg gross​

Nothing under (G) Mass in service

View attachment 61030
As I have a PVC I wonder if it is different to a coachbuilt?

The data in the square brackets are domestic details for local (UK) administrative use.
The others are drawn from the vehicles Certificate of Conformity and are pan EU required data.
It is that data which is of interest to foreign officials (police / toll operators) and required to be on Vehicle Registration Documents under EU Convention. Obviously that data should be correct but it seems The DVLA are as lax on the issue as our equivalent organisation.

A friends new MH was recently issued with its registration certificate (our equivalent to your V5) which showed the following information:-
(F) GVW = 1kg,
(J) EU Vehicle Category = minibus (vehicle with more than eight passenger seats and not exceeding 7,500kg,
(S.1) No. of Seats = 2,
(J.2) Motor Tax Category = motor caravan.
:confused:

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Jean-luc

Free Member
Aug 15, 2014
104
69
Funster No
32,824
MH
Rapido 963F
Exp
Since 2005
which ones do you mean ? @MinxyGirl

reduced speed limits for motorhomes apply to all over 3.05t unladen

Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112)

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits
Be aware the outside The UK the threshold is 3,500kg GVW.
Below the figure car speed limits apply, above the figure HGV or Coach speed limits apply (sometimes they are different depending of road type).
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,715
147,684
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging

bernardfeay

Free Member
Nov 18, 2009
613
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Bolton
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9,391
MH
hymer exsis
Exp
10 years
In my experience insurance companies love issues like this. Any excuse to avoid paying out on legitimate claims. Tread carefully.
 

Jean-luc

Free Member
Aug 15, 2014
104
69
Funster No
32,824
MH
Rapido 963F
Exp
Since 2005
already was 'aware' that the UK threshold of 3.05t unladen is lower than abroad..

Just for info.. a useful chart for outside the UK

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overse...ents/speed-limits/speed-limits-for-motorhomes

The UK 3.05t ULW rule is unique to The UK, elsewhere the threshold for the speed limit is based on the vehicles GVW (its maximum operating weight).

In France the correct speed limits for motorhomes over 3,500kg GVW outside of 50 km/h areas are:
Ordinary roads 80 km/h
Dual Carriageways 100 km/h
Motorways 110 km/h

You may have noticed the three stickers on the back of MH's over 3,500kg GVW (same as coaches) but I understand they are not mandatory for private vehicles

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