Is there any benefit of trying to get a van reclassed?

Mr Drizz

Mr Drizz

Joined
Aug 14, 2021
Posts
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Location
Liverpool, UK
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83,431
MH
Citroen Dispatch.
Exp
2018 but still a newbie.
Is there much point in trying to get a van reclassified as a camper van if you don't meet the requirements, high top, decals and the like?

Once I've finished my build it'll have, Windows, a Bench/Bed, running water, heater, table, lighting.

Am I right in thinking that these things used to be enough to get you classed as a camper van? But from my understanding, the best I can hope for is Van with windows, is there any benefit to getting it classed as such (if it's not a legal requirement)

Also is it actually a legal requirement to get it changed now it has windows?

Thanks.

Mark.
 
Makes very little difference and most only get van with windows these days anyway. So why build a van to what DVLA wants when the aim is a self build?

One of the main reasons im building mine is i dont want half the crap they consider it to need.

There will be no decals , few windows and no fixed side awning on mine
 
On your specific question:

"Also is it actually a legal requirement to get it changed now it has windows?"

Well, that's a question for a lawyer, but a search at legislation.gov.uk for "registration document" (there are no hits at all on "V5C") quickly shows this in "The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002":

Correction of registration document

14.—(1) [F20Unless when paragraph (1A) applies, where] the keeper of a vehicle believes that the particulars in the registration document issued in respect of that vehicle are, or have become, inaccurate, he shall forthwith notify the Secretary of State of the inaccuracy.

Which I read as "you must tell the DVLA if you change the body type of your vehicle" (which the DVLA also says lots of times on their website). If you've added side windows to a panel van, you've changed the body type, so you must reclassify to a van with windows. See here for instructions; you're modifying the "chassis or bodyshell".

Don't hold your breath, though. I tried this over 2 months ago and now I've got no V5C and I've heard nothing from the DVLA. I'd send it recorded delivery next time.

And I'm sure you already know the answers to your other questions - you'd never get a change to "motor caravan" approved, and it's completely pointless trying anyway. The 'body type' part of the V5C appears to have exactly one purpose, which is to allow the police to identify your vehicle on the road. They might complain if they saw that your modified panel van had windows, or they might not. Nothing to do with ANPR/speeds/insurance/etc.
 
The OP didn't mention cooking facilities.
Thought that was a requirement.

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Pretty much sums up what I thought.

Thanks for the for the help. I will apply to change the can with windows once the second one is in.

EML

How much did it cost to get it reclassified?

Cheers.
 
EML said:
On your specific question:

"Also is it actually a legal requirement to get it changed now it has windows?"

Well, that's a question for a lawyer, but a search at legislation.gov.uk for "registration document" (there are no hits at all on "V5C") quickly shows this in "The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002":

Correction of registration document

14.—(1) [F20Unless when paragraph (1A) applies, where] the keeper of a vehicle believes that the particulars in the registration document issued in respect of that vehicle are, or have become, inaccurate, he shall forthwith notify the Secretary of State of the inaccuracy.

Which I read as "you must tell the DVLA if you change the body type of your vehicle" (which the DVLA also says lots of times on their website). If you've added side windows to a panel van, you've changed the body type, so you must reclassify to a van with windows. See here for instructions; you're modifying the "chassis or bodyshell".

Don't hold your breath, though. I tried this over 2 months ago and now I've got no V5C and I've heard nothing from the DVLA. I'd send it recorded delivery next time.

And I'm sure you already know the answers to your other questions - you'd never get a change to "motor caravan" approved, and it's completely pointless trying anyway. The 'body type' part of the V5C appears to have exactly one purpose, which is to allow the police to identify your vehicle on the road. They might complain if they saw that your modified panel van had windows, or they might not. Nothing to do with ANPR/speeds/insurance/etc.
Click to expand...
Don't bother sending anything recorded delivery to DVLA; there's absolutely no point as it all gets put into sacks and would just be signed for by the sackful by whoever was taking the post for the post room! Much better just to get a Proof of Posting from the Post Office.
 
denisejoe said:
Don't bother sending anything recorded delivery to DVLA; there's absolutely no point as it all gets put into sacks and would just be signed for by the sackful by whoever was taking the post for the post room! Much better just to get a Proof of Posting from the Post Office.
Click to expand...
Or as my mate found out having sent recorded delivery some years ago & starting legal proceedings they contered with " & when the recorded delivery was opened there was found to be "NOTHING INSIDE" 🤷‍♂️

Since then he has used "chain of evidence procedures" when dealing with them from videoed certified courier delivery from start to finish at swansea.
 
gus-lopez said:
Or as my mate found out having sent recorded delivery some years ago & starting legal proceedings they contered with " & when the recorded delivery was opened there was found to be "NOTHING INSIDE" 🤷‍♂️

Since then he has used "chain of evidence procedures" when dealing with them from videoed certified courier delivery from start to finish at swansea.
Click to expand...
Videoed certified court delivery?

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Update... got a reply from DVLA this morning, after 2+ months.

They want me to fill in the V627/1 they've just sent me, take before and after photos, send them my inside leg measurement, and so on. I replied with screenshots of their website, which basically state that you only need to supply evidence if you're re-registering to a motor caravan, which I'm not, and told them what to do with their V627/1. I've asked them to return the V5C with or without the change.

Watch this space...
 
EML said:
Don't hold your breath, though. I tried this over 2 months ago and now I've got no V5C and I've heard nothing from the DVLA. I'd send it recorded delivery next time.
Click to expand...

This happened to me too, no updated v5c sent back, however the direct debit for the tax halved. I’ll happily pay the £25 for new v5, now that they have done their job. The dvla are a complete nightmare.
 
EdRedBird said:
Uhhh what?
Unless you drive a truck..... is there differnt speed limmits ?
Not that I will be pushing this gasguzler over 60mph often ... but still
Click to expand...
Sorry... don't understand your comments ??

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> In the eyes of DVLA a van with windows has same rights for speed limits and mots and insurance as a motorcaravan.
Speed limmits? I dont uderstand your comment

The only restrictions on speed liits I am aware of are HGV and towing a trailer.
A van with or without windows has the same speed limmits as a car
 
EdRedBird said:
> In the eyes of DVLA a van with windows has same rights for speed limits and mots and insurance as a motorcaravan.
Speed limmits? I dont uderstand your comment

The only restrictions on speed liits I am aware of are HGV and towing a trailer.
A van with or without windows has the same speed limmits as a car
Click to expand...
Vans (eg transits used by joiners, builders etc) have different speed limits than cars.


www.gov.uk

Speed limits

A limit of 30 miles per hour or 48 kilometres per hour usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
EdRedBird said:
> In the eyes of DVLA a van with windows has same rights for speed limits and mots and insurance as a motorcaravan.
Speed limmits? I dont uderstand your comment

The only restrictions on speed liits I am aware of are HGV and towing a trailer.
A van with or without windows has the same speed limmits as a car
Click to expand...
A van with or without windows is still a van therefore restricted to lower speed limits... HOWEVER a van converted to a motorcaravan but given the category "van with windows" aka motor caravan by DVLA and unladen weight is below 3050kg has same speed limits as cars.... those above have the slower van speed limits.
 
Mr Drizz said:
Is there much point in trying to get a van reclassified as a camper van if you don't meet the requirements, high top, decals and the like?

Once I've finished my build it'll have, Windows, a Bench/Bed, running water, heater, table, lighting.

Am I right in thinking that these things used to be enough to get you classed as a camper van? But from my understanding, the best I can hope for is Van with windows, is there any benefit to getting it classed as such (if it's not a legal requirement)

Also is it actually a legal requirement to get it changed now it has windows?

Thanks.

Mark.
Click to expand...
We have notified dvla and got van with windows on the log book. This has been asked by insurer if we notified dvla, and mot from class 7, changed to class4. Is it worth notifying? Yes, you get a covering letter, that I printed and keep it on records. It states that they know about the change and I can use it asa Motorhome, despite the appearance description being van with windows. Down the line, if SHTF, I have followed all legal steps to comply with my use.
 
Stoosal I tought 30 MPH (lets call it 50kmh) was within city limmits , or when instructed by round sign with red cirkle and 30
Outside city limmits is 60 and motorway 70 (Unless otherwise told by signs)

Raul my insurer did not yet but I am insured as "in conversion"
Is there a road tax benefit?

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EdRedBird said:
Uhhh what?
Unless you drive a truck..... is there differnt speed limmits ?
Not that I will be pushing this gasguzler over 60mph often ... but still
Click to expand...
Yes, lots of them especially for commercial vehicles, vans, car derived vans ,etc.
EdRedBird said:
A van with or without windows has the same speed limmits as a car
Click to expand...
No it doesn't in a 60mph limit the van is restricted to 50 on single lane roads. On a dual acrriageway with a 70mph limit the van is restricted to 60mph.

If it is converted to a motorcaravan whether changed to "van with windows" or not it can legally attain the higher car speed limits but it is far better to actally get it changed at the dvla to " van with windows " as yo are 100% legally covered then
EdRedBird said:
@Stoosal I tought 30 MPH (lets call it 50kmh) was within city limmits , or when instructed by round sign with red cirkle and 30
Outside city limmits is 60 and motorway 70 (Unless otherwise told by signs)
Click to expand...
No on the same stretches of roads/single/double or mway there are limits for cars, vans, hgv's, coaches & all different .
 
Taxation i think is the same as it was.
 
EdRedBird said:
Stoosal I tought 30 MPH (lets call it 50kmh) was within city limmits , or when instructed by round sign with red cirkle and 30
Outside city limmits is 60 and motorway 70 (Unless otherwise told by signs)
Click to expand...
639D63C9-BE6D-462F-86E9-2FADA5E65229.jpeg


Motorhomes over 3500kg need to keep to 50 on a single track and 60 on a dual carriageway.
 
EdRedBird said:
Stoosal I tought 30 MPH (lets call it 50kmh) was within city limmits , or when instructed by round sign with red cirkle and 30
Outside city limmits is 60 and motorway 70 (Unless otherwise told by signs)

Raul my insurer did not yet but I am insured as "in conversion"
Is there a road tax benefit?
Click to expand...
A van (eg a transit) is a goods vehicle so is subject to different speed limits to a car ie 30 in town, 50mph on a A/B type road, 60mph on dual carriageway and 70 on a motorway. A transit van, with a motorhome classification with an unladen weight under 3050kg, is classified as a car with the same national speed limits. A van, which has been reclassified as a van with windows and complies with definition of a motor-caravan, will have national speed limits same as a car hence reason for people reclassifying. The table shown by Swifter shows the differing limits.
 

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