GVW Uprated V5 DVLA

[DerryW]

I have today received the uprated converters plate for my MH from SV Tech. The GVW ha goone from 3700kgs to 3850kgs, this is after fitting VB air assist suspension to the rear axle earlier in the year. To benefit from the extra payload (especially on the rear axle) I now need to send the V5 along with the documents from SV Tech to the DVLA to reflect the changes on the V5. The dilemma I have is, we are due to set off for France and Spain at the end of August (less than 3 weeks away) and believe the current turnaround from the DVLA is 4 - 5 weeks. The options as I see them are: keep to the current 3700kgs and submit the V5 to the DVLA on our return, the other option is (and this is the bit where I would appreciate your views), if I were to fix the new convertors plate on the vehicle, send the V5 and SV Tech docs to DVLA tomorrow, take copies of the V5 along with the SV Tech documents and proof of postage on our trip would this be sufficient in the place of not having the original V5 in the unlikely event of being pulled over by the Gendarmerie, or is it not worth the risk?

I was a bit surprised it took SV Tech 2 weeks to produce the updated convertors plate considering they had the vehicle history on file, having done the previous uprating when the vehicle was brand new. Perhaps I was expecting to much.

Thanking you in anticipation.

 

[pappajohn]

If, by any slim chance, you were stopped you are required to carry ORIGINAL documents.
Quite a few members have been in this situation and have done as you suggest and have got away with it.
The choice, and risk, can only be yours.

 

[Casper46]

We were in a similar position but also DVLA had himselfs driving licence. We have been in France for 5 weeks with the original weight plate in place and a copy of the original V5C. We had little choice other than cancelling the trip. The lack of driving licence isn’t a problem as I do all of the driving, I am the worlds foulest passenger. Our neighbour has confirmed that both V5 and licence have both arrived in the post.

 

[Busybeeyellam]

I faced the same problem earlier this year caused by my first attempt at sending the documents to DVLA being 'lost in the post'; apparently a common occurrence with DVLA. Make sure you send yours by recorded delivery ! I was going to be in France for 4 months. I took photocopies of the original V5 before I set off. I phoned DVLA from France several times and the staff were helpful, but processing was still slow and it took 6 weeks. I got a neighbour to check my post and when the new V5 arrived my neighbour posted it by registered post to a friends address in France and it arrived safely within 3 days. I took the risk, wasn't pulled over so don't have experience of how the authorities would react to V5 copies.

 

[grasscutter]

Just uprated mine from 3500 to 4000. Took DVLA five weeks to send new V5. I’m afraid it’s down to your decision which way to proceed.

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[tuscancouple]

I faced the same problem earlier this year caused by my first attempt at sending the documents to DVLA being 'lost in the post'; apparently a common occurrence with DVLA. Make sure you send yours by recorded delivery !

They "lost" ours as well, no record of them arriving! You MUST send by recorded delivery.

Mick

 

[lunarman]

I am going through the same process. I sent the documents to DVLA on 29th July recorded signed for. After 5 days there was no pfoof of delivery contacted Royal mail they said I had to wait 10 days before making a claim. Contacted DVLA and I must admit they seemed helpful. He said they never sign for anything they get thousands of pieces of mail and Royal Mail sign them all on DVLA's behalf. So sending that way is meaningless. Anyway the guy looked on line and said nothing had been recorded and to phone again on 14th August when they would send me a new V5 foc and I could submit everything again if the documents were indeed lost.
I have been Checking the vehicle enquiry service every day and this morning the weight has been changed so hopefully a new V5 will be waiting when I get back from Malvern.
So actually DVLA have only taken 10 days to do the change not bad seeing as they quote 4 to 5 weeks.