Legal Information, Requirements and Rules for Camper Vans DVLA

If you are converting an existing vehicle that is registered as a van, to a campervan or motorhome, you need to consider contacting your vehicle authority and inform them of the change to your vehicle.

If you have a done a permanent conversion (ie. the vehicle will stay as a campervan forever) then you must contact your vehicle authority.  This generally works in your favour.  Recreation vehicles such as campervans pay less in road tax, insurance and MOT charges than a commercial van.

Change of Vehicle Classification

Once you conversion is complete you need to inform your vehicle authority (DVLA in the UK) that your 'van' has become a 'Motor Caravan'.  Before doing this make sure you vehicle meets all of the criteria mentioned below.

What makes a 'Motor Caravan'?

For a vehicle to qualify as a 'Motor Caravan' in the UK in the eyes of the DVLA the following permanent fixtures must be present:

1. Sleeping Accommodation
   
   • There must be a bed with a minimum length of 6ft or 180cms
   • The bed must be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
   • The bed must be permanent or converted from seats (the bed can fold away during the day)
   • The bed fixtures must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side walls, unless it is over the drivers cab compartment.
2. Door
   
   • There must be a horizontal sliding door or an outward opening rear or side door.
3. Seats and Tables
   
   • There must be a seating area for diners to sit around
   • The table can be fixed or detachable
   • The table must mount directly to the vehicle floor or side walls
   • The table mounting must be secured as a permanent feature, either bolted screwed or welded.  The table itself can be detachable.
   • Seats must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side walls
   • The seats must be secured as a permanent fixture, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • Permanently secured seating must be available for use at a table
4. Water Container
   
   • The vehicle must have an onboard or external (e,g, under the chassis) water container
   • Note: The insurer Adrian Flux requires the water container to hold 6 gallons / 27 litres.
5. Storage
   • The vehicle must have at least one cupboard, locker or wardrobe
   • The cupboard must be an integral part of the living accommodation area
   • The cupboard must be a permanent feature, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • The cupboard must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and / or side walls
6. Cooking
   • The vehicle must have cooking facilities powered by fixed gas, electric hob or microwave oven
   • The cooking facilities must be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall
   • The cooking facilities must be a permanent feature, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • Gas and electric hobs must have a minimum or 2 cooking rings.  Microwave ovens must have a power source (don't just fit one that can't be used)
   • Gas cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies must have the gas supply pipe permanently secured to the vehicle structure
   • Gas cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies should have the gas bottle, fuel reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
7. Windows
   • The vehicle must have at least one side window

How to Change a Vans Classification to Camper Van or Motorhome in the UK

In the UK, changing the classification of a van to a campervan or motorhome is fairly straightforward.  The following information is based on real experience, correct at the time of the re-classification.  This serves as a good guide, but please contact the DVLA and/or VOSA to confirm the rules regarding your vehicle.

1. When your conversion is complete, and your van is now (nearly) a camper van or motorhome, contact the DVLA and inform them.
2. The DVLA will ask you to indicate the changes in your V5 (log book) document and return it to them.  You need to change the body type from 'Panel Van' to 'Camper Van' or 'Motor Caravan'.  See the DirectGov website for details on changing your V5 document.
3. The DVLA will probably ask you to also send them photos of the converted vehicle, and a covering letter explaining your vehicle.  This is so they can clearly see the vehicle has been changed.  They can see the quality of the work, and how serious you are about changing the classification.  Ensure the number plate is clearly visible in some of the photos, as this will ensure they can tie the conversion to the vehicle.  From the photos the DVLA can see if you have done a good conversion to the vehicle, or simply thrown a mattress in the back.
4. If you have done a good conversion, and the DVLA are satisfied they will return a new V5 document to you, with the body type changed.
5. However, if they are unsure of your conversion they will ask you to visit the local DVLA inspection office.  An agent will inspect the vehicle before recommending any change of documentation.
6. The DVLA do not publish strict guidelines for the above.  However, The Department of Transport do publish a strict 'motor caravan' definition for vehicles that are being imported.  Click here, and scroll down to 'Motor caravan'.  It's likely the DVLA also use the same guidelines.  However, the strict definitions here are, it seems, open to some interpretation.

Once you receive your amended V5 document, with the vehicle classified as a recreation vehicle, you get the following benefits:

1. Cheaper Insurance - as leisure vehicles are cheaper to insure than commercial vans
2. Contents Insurance - the contents of your vehicle will be insured, as well as the vehicle itself
3. Can travel faster - most vans can only travel at 50mph on single carriageways.  As a camper van you can travel faster.
4. Cheaper MOT - Class 7 vehicles (over 3500kgs) registered as camper vans come under the cheaper as less restriction Class 4 MOT rules.

When to Change the Vehicle Classification

You should change the classification of your vehicle from 'Panel Van' to 'Camper Van' when your conversion is nearly complete, once the major fittings are in place (bed, kitchen) and it looks neat and tidy.  Once you think you satisfy all of the conditions mentioned above, contact the DVLA and start the re-classification process.

You don't want any vehicle inspectors to think it is not finished, so ensure it looks finished before you apply for the change.

Don't worry about finishing touches, you can always complete these once the vehicle is re-registered.

Insurance

Once your vehicle has been officially re-classified by the DVLA, you will need to change your insurance.  Your original insurance will be for a 'Panel Van', and your vehicle is no longer one.  So you need to cancel your existing policy, and get a new policy for a Camper van.

The insurance page has information and links to websites that will help.

UK Vehicle Classes

In the UK small vans, less than 3500kgs, are classified as Class 4 vehicles.  Vans over 3500kgs are considered Class 7 vehicles.  Class 7 vehicles have stricter MOT tests and higher road tax.

However, if a Class 7 vehicle is registered for recreation purposes, it becomes a Class 4 vehicle.  Therefore, if you convert a Class 7 big panel van into a campervan or motorhome, changing it's classification to a recreation vehicle will make life easier and cheaper for you.

Also note that you should insure you vehicle based on its classification.  You cannot really insure a camper van as a panel van.  Should you have to make a claim the insurance company are unlikely to pay if your vehicle is wrongly classified.

Let us know about your re-classification experiences in the comments below