Motor caravan self build New DVLA regs

Hi All

It's been a long time.

I'm trying to find out what the new regs are regarding converting a minibus into a Motorcaravan as defined by the DVLA.

I'm in a few selfbuild groups on facefuck and notice very recently the numer of vehicles, Minibuses and vans, that are being refused. The internal criteria are being met and passed but still these owners get refused because they are being told over the telephone "according to the new regs the vehicle doesn't look like a motor caravan from the outside". When pressed the telephone operators are saying it's the new regs which haven't yet been uploaded to their website.

Anyone know the new definition and specifications?

Thanks .. Jon

Sorry. Just realised this should be in the Licencing and legal section. A lot has happened on here :shake: Could admin please move it to the correct section please.

Ta:tup:

Read all that somewhere some time ago when I realised my 2003 Ducato van conversion was still LGV, it had never been registered as a motor caravan by the company that converted it from new.

Seems that if the outline looks like a van it's a van, but as even some obvious coach built motorhomes still look just like a commercial luton van side on, it's bonkers.

I didn't bother to go any further with it as it seem the only real downside is that being commercial it's restricted to the relevant commercial speed limits, which isn't a problem for me.

Maybe try calling one of the specialist converters and ask them what they do?

edit, my camper even has the converters logo and graphics all over it, pretty obviously a motorhome!

Hiya.

Thanks.

Yeah that's a good idea. I think the Coachbuilt Motor home makers tend to use Chassis and cabs so really their bodies are Motorhome bodies. The DVLA seemed to all of a sudden started refusing as some builders say well I just put stickers on mine and it passed others who didi the exact same have been refused with as I say being told because it doesn't look like a MotorCaravan which is their verion of what I'm calling a campervan. I'm doing a sprinter minibus and have taken all but 6 seats out inc driver. The only change externally is the rear side windows and rear door windows blocked up as the rear section is the fixed sleeping area. I'll probably end up with graphics in the hope that is enough. But some have even done that and included phrases like Adventure before dementia and included camping like scenes but still refused. I'm not sure Kev (Kapri) would know. I need to ask him as he's well up on all things DVLA

Cheers ... Jon

Something I heard was it's all to do with the publics perception of a motorhome when it comes to them describing a vehicle involved in an incident, which could delay or hinder plods investigation work or be used to avoid a prosecution or a conviction in court.

Which all makes sense to me, camper van, looks like a van: motor caravan looks like a motor caravan, simples..

Is it not just simply a reaction to some commercial users trying to give some taxes a swerve!? Like when the 5 seater pick ups were posh like a top dollar company car but way cheaper to tax. I suppose the man may see a bed in the back of a typical works van the same as my Boxster claiming hybrid status cos my gennie is in the front boot lol :pmsl:

That's a strange thing because a lot of the people that I know that have camper vans want them to look like vans (I think they call them stealth campers) So that they can park up in public places without getting moved on or people thinking they are " travellers".

I think there's a ruling on some campsites that the vehicle has to have side windows, to stop people rocking up with a van with a mattress chucked in the back.

any help https://www.theroadisourhome.com/201...an-camper-van/