Updated DVLA Campervan Conversion Requirements - New 2019 Registration Changes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- Here is a quick overview of the latest DVLA guidelines regarding having a campervan conversion re-registered as a campervan ("motor caravan") on the V5 owners logbook (See links below for forms etc). The DVLA have been refusing registrations of campervans in 2019 and at the time of this video release have just released their latest guidelines which needs to be followed for a successful re-registration to a campervan. The internal requirements have not changed from any previous guidelines as the DVLA need to see photographs of some seating area, a bed, a table, storage space & cooking facilities. Externally the DVLA now require a van to have 2 side windows, a side entrance (not including front doors), campervan style graphics on both sides of the vehicle, an awning bar and most controversially a high top with no pop tops allowed. This means a campervan like a VW T4 with a pop top would now no longer be registered as a campervan, only a high top. Let me know in the comments what you think about the new requirements and the decision not to include pop-tops as campervans.
*In the video I mention an awning rail, I should have said an awning bar, presumably a wind out version. I also mention using a 2 burner gas hob but the DVLA now officially say a single burner is also fine*
Here are the links to the DVLA guidelines and forms to submit to register a campervan with the DVLA:
www.gov.uk/gov...
Here is the pre-filled form to submit:
assets.publish...
Here are the full detailed internal specifications:
www.gov.uk/gov...
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I didn't want graphics, I find them hideous. It's like the state telling you you have to have a picket fence otherwise your house is a factory.
Yet more legislation for the UK public. This is just ridiculous
The requirements for windows, decals and high top are aimed at preventing low key and stealth campers, but no doubt the authorities will give a completely different spin on it. So there will be plenty of homeless people who are just trying to lie low and live quietly that are going to be adversely affected by this.
@@DavidTangye :/
@Captain Insano Shows no mercy Unfortunately it is technically illegal to have a vehicle classified incorrectly. I wouldn't like to chance it with my insurer if I was involved in an accident where my vehicle was found to be incorrectly characterised. These are just petit laws which seem to be purely controlling rather than of any real use. The proof of this is clear when people have contacted the DVLA to ask for their reasoning. The problem is the don't seem to have any!
@Captain Insano Shows no mercy Taken from the DVLA website: "It is a legal requirement that all UK registered vehicles are classified correctly on the V5C log book. All camper-vans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’. If you have converted a van into a motor caravan then you must return the V5C to DVLA for body type amendment."
☝️Don't get ideas above your station people. You're supposed to be Debted up to your eyeballs and working every hour 🥵 god sends just to survive🧟♂️.
Expect ever-increasing Rules ✍ and bills for the whole van life scene.
I heard somewhere that they were gonna "look again" at the question of alcohol and vans ie; "being drunk in charge" and how to define that. They won't stop picking at freedoms, that's for sure. They get ya one way or the other. Meanwhile, these 1 week wine kits make brewing 20-odd litres of red plonk, in yer van, a doddle if ya got a good spot for a few days.
Thanks for the update. What a joke! We need to fight this hight-top business, what are they thinking... let's increase fuel consumption and pollute the environment with our high-tops. Decrease stability in crosswinds, limit parking access and all look the same whilst we're at it!! This has got my bloody boiling.
I can see this ending up in court. The companies that make the pop tops and or fit them will be seeking legal advice.
I think they should be careful, they may actually be making a product that is dangerous and causes vehicle's to ve structurally unsound.
@@RideBikes_Walkplaces That was kinda my take on it too. Uninformed (or simply ignorant and uncaring) bureaucracy rules ultimately designed for revenue and registration enforcement rather than serving the public and keeping them safe.
It's what's needed but will they?
If only you knew how structural strength gets cut away from a roof fitting a pop top.. Why do you thing roofs have ribs pressed in them? It adds srentgh
Regards fitting awning rail,, how the hell does a 1 inch wide, strip of alloy trim make it identifiable in traffic, especially at night
I called DVLA to ask if I complied with all but the permanent high top would that be enough and was explicitly told NO, it has to comply with all of the requirements. I can comply with all but the permanent hardtop which is the most ridiculous change of them all. So now if DVLA has its way, all campervans will be far less fuel efficient, dangerous to drive in high winds (but have a higher speed limit than pop tops) and impossible to park in multi-story. It's a joke of a decision. I have written a strongly worded complaint, I like to think if all of the people on here did the same we may get them at least consider relaxing this ridiculous new set up.
dont play the dvla's silly game, take no notice, just carry on!
MacRoibin I’m now planning on asking for it to be classified as an mpv as apparently California’s are classed as that as I’ve been informed on a forum
@@courtez77uk Interesting. Did you get any confirmation?
I think one of the main problems is that non car derived vans are restricted on dual carriageways to 50 and to 40 in areas that are 50 for cars. 30 mph areas and motorways are the same. This could be a bigger issue than insurance problems.
It seems unreasonable that the regulations changed abruptly and without warning. Publishing the new regulations with say a 3 month implementation would have been reasonable given the lack of thought demonstrated.
Nerf family Uk generally if there’s an emergency you have a traffic jam usually when you get to the front of the traffic jam you find the emergency
Making up a bullshit excuse like it must be a high top to look like a camper van is ridiculous excuse to use
Should people that have health risks where yellow hats so police or ambulance staff can see them in a crowd of people......🤷🏼♂️
The uk is going ABSOLUTELY MAD
TOMMY ROBINSON FOR PRIME MINISTER
SOONER WE GET OUT THE EU THE BETTER!!!!
The changes were first talked about two years ago. Hence a big rise in vans being re registered last year (21 thousand up from 7 thousand) Changes to VED (Car tax) are also coming in.
@@firstmotorhome8024 Mate. I believe you may have misunderstood.
@@ivorbiggun4919 can't fix stupid
@@firstmotorhome8024 It's you who doesn't get the bigger picture. Muppet.
What is really annoying me, is the fact that i have worked my van for the past 8 months and 95% complete and now find that i have burst my trim and insulation and cut another large hole for another window in my kitchen area at the back, it is fully iilluminated with 12v lighting and i have two large side windows in the living area..seriously pees me off all this unnecessary regulation... no come and go with this at all
I cant help thinking this may have something to do with parking issue by local guv in high tourist spots, as some will no there has been alot of roof high bars go up around the uk on government parking spots that now say no over night camping, it makes me wonder if all this new stuff they have ,stickers hight roof and so on, is so we get tickets for parking up.. just a thourt. Don't see it as said about in this vid.
Reported van for police and fire units. As it's just as easy to say a van is or was to the cops and fire units..
Been pulling my hair out since May 2019 trying 4 times to change the V5, thanks for the video I am hoping with a few tweeks I can now get them to do it. They should NOT have been rejecting applications BEFORE the guidelines were published though.
Sounds like a delaying tactic.
Thanks for that video, it's very helpful. Really good to be pointed in that direction though the DVLA link says "2 or more windows on at least one side" means they don't both have to be on the same side.
Sorry you got windows wrong you need 2 windows on a least one side I've spoke to them and you can also have 1 window on either side meeting the 2 window requirement and they dont need to slide just be big enough to allow reasonable light in to the living area
I only mention "sliding windows" once in error while talking about sliding doors, which I correct with text on screen. I'm aware the windows do not need to slide or open, or even be the full size of a panel but just be of reasonable size as I've fitted all sorts of windows in the past, there just needs to be 2 now
I've only been going off what the DVLA themselves have printed on their own website, I really hope they allow windows on both sides, just like I hope they allow pop-tops too and hope it doesn't turn into the luck of the draw of who opens the application
@@TheCampervanBuilder Re Luck of the draw. Exactly that. The side graphics is probably the least stifling requirement but best example of where 'inspectors interpretation' will cause problems.
Do you know if clear skylights count?
@@lejendpolevault5345 no they have to be in the sides or rear door
The legislation I read says 2 windows down 1 side not including the passenger or drivers door. It does not stop you adding more as they allow a minibus to be converted.
i think you could be misleading some people..if you read the guidelines properly they state..DVLA will consider changing the classification if it is distinguishable in traffic..also states..tick boxes to tell them which features are present..it doesn't state you have to have them all..
I've put links to the documents available online for people to read through including the check box doc and the requirements page etc. I'm just updating an old guidelines video as that is certainly out of date now.
Now that the insurance companies have grown up and provide campervan rates without the DVLA V5 change, I really wonder why there is the need to bother anymore for a panel-van conversion under 3.05t. So hard to get it now.
Read again re windows "2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body" this suggests to me that you cannot count rear doors towards the 2 windows and that the two windows have to be on atleast one side of the main body...? ie one window either side is ok.
If that quote is accurate, my interpretation is you need a minimum of 2 windows on one side and 1 window on each side would not satisfy the requirement. For that it should read "2 or more windows on the sides of the main body" .
Also note, with that wording (again just my take) windows on the side in the high top area would not count, not being part of the "main body". This part might actually have some safety value, as means of egress in an accident, in addition to the light for health benefit, but it also seems to be more concerned with identification as both of those would be better served by a different approach.
Hi, I rang the dvla about the high top issue as I'm converting an peugeot expert, they told me that as long as it has some of the external features that the high top wouldn't matter, as not all vans that get converted are high tops or have high tops available. Just so you know mate. Great little vid.
Thanks for the added info, thats good to know, it's a shame they specifically made mention of no pop-tops in their online guidelines as that will ruin a lot of projects out there.
@@TheCampervanBuilder that was my problem I specifically asked them if it would be okay because If not I couldn't sell van as a pannel van because of window and couldn't sell it as a camper because of regs would have been stuck in middle with a van no one would want
@@nathankennedy6507 im currently converting a peugeot expert too :D
hopefully it won't turn out to be a lucky draw of who opens the letter at the DVLA and who sticks to the black & white text and who sways a little. If its still in their text I guess they can still refuse it, I suppose we'll see over the coming weeks/months
I do hope that is the case as I need to fit in a multi story car park with a 2m height restriction. I will be emailing the dvla to get confirmation. I won't ring them as they can simply deny it. I want proof of their advice.
I've a LR 110 with Dormobile top. It should have been changed to 'Motor Caravan' by previous owners, but wasn't. The 'Body Type' listing at DVLA doesn't include mine which is 'Light 4x4 Utility' . I just needed some more photos printing. It seems it cannot be changed now,
The DVLA and the Ministry of Transport are as Corrupt as can be ! As an ex mot inspector i find it shocking that modern vehicle can pass an Mot with the Abs module also containing brakes steering and fuel system but to name a few on this module, what this means on some vehicle if your fuel injector goes it can effect the brakes and steering ! how is that safe to pass an mot ? Another sore point is the legislation geared towards car recovery ! its solely legislated for the AA and Rac to dominate the recovery business ! obviously a lot of backhanders going on with politicians and manufacturers ! mind vote now 🙄
you can still fit a pop top as WELL as the high top, and ive heard a rumour that its about being able to stand upright in the living area of the van.
DVLA knock our re-registration back. Converted a MWB crafter with fixed bed, shower, toilet, full kitchen, Hot and cold water, heating with 1 additional windows on each side, 3 roof lights and Graphics on both sides and the rear. Then I applied in July 19 to have it changed to a motor caravan/camper van. The DVLA rejected but didn't give a reason. They gave us a letter indicating that we can use it as a Motor Caravan just could register it as one. We have just found out the reason why, we only have 1 additional window on each side. There was no way we was going to add an additional window and spoil our unit. We didn't want windows in our sleeping area. We have a roof light for ventilation over the bed, but do not want windows on the side.
So I spoke with the insurance company. They said they full appreciated the problems that the DVLA are causing, so with a set of photographs of the inside and the outside they have insured it as a converted panel van camper. We paid for an inspection and have a agreed insurance value. We don't have any intentions of selling the vehicle, its be build exactly to our specifications for us only to use. Ok so I'm stuck with the van speed limit being lower but I will live with that.
What the DVLA should have done was to make a new classification - Panel Van Camper
As these new laws will only apply to new builds, all DVLA is doing is putting all the companys and people that build them are being put out of work or business,as putting an extra side door in prevents a structurally strong vehicle, and deprives space for an essential part of your comfort.
Any gas hob installation has to have a fixed gas supply with the gas bottle inside a lined cupboard. Also regarding external features, it states that a 'combination' of the features is needed, implying that you don't need all of the features they currently list. The DVLA info therefore isn't black and white it seems.
Nothing is ever straight forward with the dvla
Thanks for the video. Very useful. I have only just got interested in this subject and no immediate plans to convert a van. But what these new regs scream to me is to consider a conversion sooner rather than later when they tighten the regs even further.
Might be best before it all gets tighter
I would never have bought one if i had seen all this regulation being brought about after i spent thousands converting, and then being told the layout has changed...totally ruined my retirement plans..so bloody angry now.
Does this stop stealth vans then? What about all the ones done already?
Stopping loop holes in any thing. 😞😞😞
4kin marvellous!! Just as I’m part way through building what I THOUGHT was going to be a T5 camper they want me to cut the roof off, put stupid stickers on, an unwanted and un-needed awning rail and put a 3rd window in the back to let more heat out ...... absolute tossers ✊🏼💦
Looks like I’m stuck with a 5 grand van doing 60mph 😡🤬
Be happy that your van can do 60, mine doesn't have the aerodynamics and power to push past 52 :D
I've spent 9k of my retirement money on doing up a van to go out and visit places i never had the time to go to, due to 50 years of work, my van is almost complete, and now i have to destroy weeks of work to redesign my windows. Feckin HATE this authoritarian state.. they are never off your back with one thing or another. 😠
Enjoy your van - it'll take a while to adjust, but 60 is more than enough when you're in holiday mode!!
@@danielhanney3326 No you don't. My van has been a camper for 17 years but I never bothered getting the registration changed. It they make the rules exclude a load of campers then technically they'll just be 'vans'. Doesn't really matter that much. I wouldn't let the registration rules drive your design - that's backwards.
@@danielhanney3326 Don't bother with the extra window. I have just completed a self build, one windoweach side. That's fine. It is registered as a van with windows and the insurance is fine too. I have the bed, seat, table, kitchen etc. I don't want silly stickers either.
I've never had this problem. Front and rear sticker with the words campervan really helps
Thanks Patrick McPolin
Your description says they require a side entrance I think this is wrong they say it must have a separate entrance lots of old factory made motor caravans have a single rear door for the entrance.
They can get bent 😂 I have a cheap ass transit connect I've turned into a van, got a BBQ, tarp for cooking under, double bed, water and no windows in the back. Have a shower bag and I live in it. I love it, they can get buggered I'll just keep it as a Van. If it gets stolen I'll use my insurance and whatever money I have saved in rent to get another one
No point . I converted a vw crafter using all the requirements and instead of reclaiming it a motor caravan they put "van/with windows" on the log book .
They cant even accept their own conditions
Very interesting! What a load of ridiculous regulations, haven’t they got anything better to do!
No!!!!
The table: it's not about wobbling tables dude...you need a permanently fitted fixing point for the table. Screw hole in floor for the leg or rail on the cupboard to rest it on. Nothing to do with wobbly tables!
Unfortunately that one door is not enough!!!
We have ticked all other requirements, the only one we do not have is the separate door for living quarter access...we have converted a minibus ourselves....the only option we see is to open up the rear doors to make this the living quarter access....but this means to change the complete layout, because our bed is situated there
I think a minibus door should be ok, the dvla basically don’t want people climbing over seats to get to the living area, it should have a door that goes straight in the living space. The minibus doors usually open to to the living space, time will tell I guess tho.
@@TheCampervanBuilder like I said, that's the only thing that ours doesn't "obey" with...we only have the one door at the front that we're using to get in and out....the back doors do open, but we've got or bed in the back, so can't get in from there....I hope that it will work for you
They accepted minibuses with these doors previously and it's always been the case you need a side door so I really don't think it should be a problem, especially if everything else is ticked
Good information, I'm just about to convert a 7.5 ton horse box.
It’s done because people are trying to save money on insurance by registering their van as a camper van...they probably already have a car for work and want a van for weekends away etc..I’d like to see what volkswagan have to say about the new laws...
The two windows down one side is ridiculous, that means all the work I've been doing for the last year on my van has been for nothing. I've already put three windows and a skylight window onto my high top van but apparently now thats not enough. Screw the DVLA.
Can you help me with the height of your high top van please, is it h2 or h3?
Your van still works - what the DVLA want to put on your paperwork is not actually very important.
@@Wookey. can you please explain?, thanks
@@fionaokane5019 I was answering Devonian who was worrying that all his van conversion work was 'for nothing'. And pointing out that that's greatly overstating the importance of the vehicle classification. A camper is still a camper and does what you want of it however the DVLA classify the vehicle.
@@Wookey. thanks for your reply, and I agree with what your saying.....I am not too worried about the classification at this stage, its getting affordable insurance that is important for me as I embark on my upcoming van build.
Same here don't like the thought of graphics cheers for sharing
Magnetic or easy-peel ?
@@G-ra-ha-m - how would they tell ?
Outrage apart, this external change requirement does make some sense, speed limits for one differ between vans and motorhomes. I know someone who was just starting their build and had removed all of the seats and had started insulation work but it was still registered as a (Peugeot Boxer) minibus and they got caught doing 60mph in a 60 down the A1198 which he thought was fine, except as a minibus he should have been doing 50mph. If you want to look like a van, then pay the same as a van, if you want stealthy, van with windows, I really do not understand the drama now that the DVLA have made the criteria clear.
BTW If you read the guidelines there’s no size to a permanently converted bed anymore. There’s no size requirements.
Just wondering how the high roof and extra window would effect the VW Caddy ?
Time will tell if they will accept micro campers as most don’t have a high top available for them
Great advice, I think the high top requirement is a bit stupid.
indeed it is
Great info. We have a converted LWB Transit and thank the LORD it’s already registered with the dvla as a camper or we’d be stuffed!
I’m a full time wheelchair user so considering converting a minibus with a tail lift next. Our transit definitely won’t pass the next MOT so thinking ahead is good. Will definitely make sure whatever we buy to convert is a high top. Thanks for keeping us informed. You’re a star and I really appreciate the time you took to do this video. All the best and thanks again.
No problem, glad you found it useful. As a side note, I have a second minibus sat waiting to be converted which has a wheelchair lift on 😉
The Campervan Builder got 8 months MOT left on the LWB transit so going to run this into the ground before moving on to a minibus. Hope your conversion goes well though.
Two sidebars, if I may...
Do you convert vans for a living and take on projects for others? (Good to know of you all the more if so!)
Also, do you know anything about charging an electric wheelchair in a camper? Are we talking a whole bank of leisure batteries or hooking the charge point direct to the van/minibus batteries with a relay? I’m a newly/novice to converting (and motor homes too for that matter).
I haven't taken on work for anyone as I work full time and just do project conversions in my spare time, but I might be willing to take on work if I ever get the time. Regarding the wheelchair, you can get an inverter that will take 12v from a leisure battery and plug the charger in to that and this would charge the chair. Obviously the leisure battery would need something to keep it charged up, whether that be solar or split charge as every time the chair is charged, it would run down the battery its being charged from.
Dave, I am in the US, Texas to be exact. It sounds like the government in the UK is making the van conversion process very difficult as far as the insurance classification and the legality of certain van types for other purposes. My question is; "What is their problem with vans in general?" It seems they are nitpicking about every little thing, and must have a reason to do so.
Nitpicking is a very British thing to do. The government are talking about outlawing sales of new petrol & diesel by 2050 (or earlier) so it will all slowly increase with a push towards electric vehicles, which will be useless for campervans which want to travel to the middle of no-where for a week, where's a charger plug going to be then? There is also a lot of bad press over diesel and pollution so there will also be a push to get those off the road soon enough. London already charges older diesel vehicles £100 ($125) per day just to enter and drive around the city and more will come over time.
I'm not sure if self built conversions in the US need to be re-registered as a different body type but officially that's what we are supposed to do here, generally for tax purposes for the government, identification purposes for emergency services and for insurance purposes for the owner (larger payouts with less hassle if registered as a camper). The issue is they have tightened everything up and added requirements that just aren't needed like the need for graphics.
At least they have finally published some guidelines after months of refusing applications and giving no advice so a small step in the right direction and they could have been stricter
No problem with vans which are good for business - but they want all campervans identifiable so they can fine them for overnight street parking in desirable areas. Think California for Cornwall see news.google.com/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNvcm53YWxsbGl2ZS5jb20vbmV3cy9jb3Jud2FsbC1uZXdzL2NhbXBlcnZhbi1iYW4tc3RvcC1wZW9wbGUtc3RheWluZy0zNDU1MjUw0gFdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY29ybndhbGxsaXZlLmNvbS9uZXdzL2Nvcm53YWxsLW5ld3MvY2FtcGVydmFuLWJhbi1zdG9wLXBlb3BsZS1zdGF5aW5nLTM0NTUyNTAuYW1w?hl=en-GB&gl=GB&ceid=GB%3Aen
Its still not clear. What do they identify as an Awning bar? Is it a rail to attach a drive away awning or do they mean a fixed wind out awning unit?
I think they will accept either, as long as it shows there is potential for outside living space
The insurance thing is completely false, you don't need to register it to insure it as a camper van, if you've spent real money on the van you should have it appraised like you would with any possession you might insure.
You don't have to re-register. It can just save money on MOT and road tax but otherwise just get a van, stick a bed in it and go.
Hands up if anyone in the classroom knows, or can guess, what year the UK gov sent people knocking on campervans asking for the New "campervan Council tax" hahaha.
Thats more or less it there just trying to make so thay can sit you easy
In my country the "dvla rules" are a bit different but one of the reasons of those rules is when you comply with them you get a lot cheaper road-tax just one fourth of the normal amount on the weight of the vehikel. So in the Netherlands you want to comply in order to get a discount. 😁
My question about this whole dvla problem is: Do you get a discount on your road tax too if your vehikel does comply?
And a comment on all those stealth campers about: Wouldn't you want a fireman to know that there might be people sleeping in a burning panelvan or plain box van?
Just my two cents.
(I've got a van that - deu to my wife with a disability - suits as a campervan too and I tried to do my best as make it stealthy but regognisable as a campervan too with blinds, a roof hatch and soforth
Different vans can have different tax rates here, re-registering will give cheaper tax and insurance on some models but go up on others.
Also, it means that whilst there is a legal requirement to inform the dvla of the changes, there is actually no point if you have a pop top. So therefore, who is breaking the law?
Well if you want to be kosher you inform them, they say 'nope, not a camper, just a van'. And you've complied.
Does this mean that a California is no longer a campervan as they aren’t high tops but have pop tops fitted
This is the same for any factory made campervan from VW, Mercedes, ford.. just nonsense.... And define " high" top.. how high does this have to be??? Nuts.
All factory built campers come off the production line classified as campers and cat N1
If you read the specifics again it says at least 2 windows on at least one side of the van, this could be translated as one on each side...
It might be the case, it might depend on who opens the application.. II think if enough other criteria are met, then it should be acceptable, here's hoping
To me that is at least 2 windows on 1 side of the van (not inc driver or front passenger door). If you want to add more, fine, but if you only have 1 on each side I think you will be refused.
I wonder if an openable barn door window on the same side of the van as the side windoe would count as two openable windows on the same side
Re pop tops: so 98% of the approx. 7 million VW camper vans produced by VW and Westfalia -- and at least as many produced by other coachbuilders -- are no longer considered to be camper vans. WTF?
All those mindless hipster sheep, what will they do LOL.
Looks better than most houses i been in arounds sheilds...geordie land
The guidelines on what constitutes a decal are non existent. Specs are needed, or you could just use magnetic....
Thanks for that - I was initially appalled by the external requirements, but reading the DVLA website it makes more sense. The list of external features (quoting DVLA) "is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application." The definitive requirement is that the van "looks like a motorcaravan in traffic" which is deliberately vague, yet does not require you to have ALL of the external features in the checklist. So if your van has a poptop, stick some decals and an awning rail on and you'll probably be ok. If (like mine) it looks a lot like an ambulance, consider some stupid "CAMPERVAN" decals.
The other interesting point is that they sate that the body type has no effect on insurance or speed limits or 'other legislative requirements'. I thought that low-emissions zones often had campervan exceptions?
It used to be that campervans were lez complaint but that changed when London introduced the more stringent rules and now nothing has exemptions other than euro6 rated vehicles
"looks like a motorcaravan in traffic". Why do they care? What is the point of this definitional basis? Possible gas presence makes some sense, but as we all go electric more and more vans won't have any gas.
Ha ha. I literally just put a deposit on a low roof Transit Tourneo this afternoon !
Was intending to eventually register it as a camper, once enough has been done, but now they can swivel !
The rest of what they want isn't too far away from what I was going to do anyway, but I (just a personal preference) don't want a high top !
Guess I'll have to do my own thing in my low roof van and not bother with their insane regulations .
Long live individuality.
I assume that a new California, off the forecourt, will be classed as a camper van so not sure how the requirement for a high top could be relevant in one market but not another.
Seems like it has to be a combination of things rather than must have a high top. California and others will be fine as they generally have the awning fitted and lots of external clues it’s a camper conversion, for DIY build, if you have the external awning, extra side window and graphics, a pop top shouldn’t then be an issue.
Think its bad here, its worse in Germany for self builders, very specific about what parts can and cant be used, like windows etc.
The DVSA website states “a V5C showing one of the applicable body types as above” so I would read it differently ie that you can have a pop-top as long as you have the side windows or the graphics or the awning rail - I’d guess the more you have the more likely you’ll get your body type recognised?
Yes it does say a combination of features and obviously the more the better. The wording has been left very open to interpretation in places
surely you could use magnetic graphics,stick them on when needed
Unless you have a fibreglass bus like I’m converting, meaning you have no metal for magnets to work with 😤
The way I read it, the conversation have a combination of the requirements below, not must have all items . The awning rail is a bit weird ! .
Yes a combination of their checklist but obviously the more you check off, the better the chances of being accepted.
@@TheCampervanBuilder I have a vito van with a bongo roof welded on top. my van complies with ALL the other criteria, I was refused motor caravan status. I appealed saying the roof is a permanent semi high top and I was still refused... It would seem the permanent hi-top roof is a MUST have.
I have been planning my motor caravan build, thinking of all the components I'd use, and like many binge-watching TH-cam videos to get inspiration and at no time did I say, do you know what I think I want, is an awning bar. What a pointless waste installing something that would never be used has no real need in terms of safety and leave me very confused as to why it’s included in the new standards. I feel that established companies who don't like the competition of self-builders have had input on these changes.
It says they will accept a combination of their checklist so if almost everything they ask for is checked other than the awning bar, then it should still pass
@@TheCampervanBuilder thank you
The people who decide these things probably knew nothing about campers and were asked to come up with a spec.
So they visit a campervan show room, see what real vans have and call that the spec for conversions.
I saw the same with traffic light equipment. I asked the BSI testing who came up with the spec.
They said that their boss saw the design of a piece of equipment and decided that was the spec. everyone else had to meet.
Sounds about right
Think I’ll just be leaving my van looking like a standard van then. I like people not knowing that I’m living in the back of it when I’m parked up in some places. CAMPERVAN across the side of it and windows all over might give it away 😄
yes if you are living in a van, more stealth may be the way to go
The Campervan Builder do you think the high top means you’ve got to put something on top of all vans or if it’s already a high roof version then it’s alright. Mines a high roof dispatch and it’s already a pain getting in some car parks cause they have 2.1 metre limits
I think if the average person can stand up in it, then it should be fine
Thanks for the video mate. There’s certainly still people interpreting the new guidelines differently. The guidelines still seem to be causing confusion, particularly the 2 windows on ONE side. Having spoke to them. They have confirmed they expect to see a wind out awning as with Motor-homes, and 2 windows on ONE side, not including the passenger or driver windows.
Yeah I’ve just gone of what’s written in black & white on their site. A few people have commented saying they’ve spoken to dvla about pop tops, awning and windows and are getting mixed responses, some say awning rail is fine, others only a wind out awning. Some are saying dvla will accept windows both sides, some are saying only on 1 side. Someone said they confirmed theyd accept a pop top of all other criteria are met. Time will tell I guess, it could well turn out to be the luck of the draw of who opens the application.
Might be worth putting in the T4 pages, but I’m sure it’s probably already been discussed to death.
It’s a hot topic on all van and camper forums. I’m just starting on a Boxer build, I’ve already got the windows, alas only one each side. I’ll see how it all pans out. I might put a smaller porthole window in the rear.
you mean rear panel right, as I don't think they ever accepted rear door windows as camper windows. I noticed you'd sold on the T4, any regrets yet? I miss mine a bit as I only have a lupo as a daily driver as the minibus isn't exactly parking friendly at work...
Thank you for posting this video. When were the rules updated? Is this pretty new? Bit gutted about the two window thing :/
They were updated at the start of the month
So does this mean a swb transit standard height, I wouldn't be able to get it registered? Can I still use it as a camper or has this ruined it all for me ?
You can convert and use any vehicle as a camper as long as its insured as a modified camper with modifications listed, the DVLA would may re-register it as a camper but they themselves say this is all fine to do
wonder how they will view the likes of the Mercedes V Class Marco Polo which is a factory build camper but just has a pop top?
Gary Scobell factory build not reregistered , different regs
Won't this make it a lot more difficult to park stealthily? Sounds like they're trying to stop the van life trend from growing because we must all conform and be robots of the state that's supposedly a democracy 😤😡
Most true stealth vans wouldn't be registered as a camper anyway so wouldn't make much difference
It’s a disgrace. I put my application in back in July and got rejected because I didn’t comply with the new regulations which they wouldn’t tell me! We met with the criteria at the time but it was just falling on deaf ears and they’d not listen. Just hope this doesn’t damage the industry too much.
Re-apply now printing off their own checklist and if you tick most of the boses, it should now get classified. There was pretty much a blanket ban until the new regs came out
The Campervan Builder wow seriously you reckon?? I had a bit of dialogue with them at the time and they point blank refused every suggestion. Thanks I’ll give it a go
Surely 'If' the aim of having 2 windows in the van is to allow more light in the vehicle... then it would make more sense to have 2 windows one on each side of the van apposed to 2 on the same side, on either side lets more light in throughout the day apposed to only part of the day if on both sides and 'if' all this is for the reasons of easily identifying the vehicle as a motor home, having both on one side would not do this but one on each side is likely too... thank goodness they haven't declared the size of the windows, if both on one side will go with a large one on sliding door and letter box higher up further down the same side
Yes it would make sense for them to accept windows on both sides, whether they will or not, time will tell i guess
These people who make these rules up have not a clue. Not all of us can bugger off to the ski slopes of Sweden nor can we jet off to the south of France. I PAY MY TAXES LEAVE ME ALONE. GOOD VIDEO THANKS.
The DVLA have obviously been leaned on by groups who want to make life difficult for people who engage in so-called stealth camping. Could these be the groups behind the austerity measures that have forced so many people onto the streets to sleep in cardboard boxes, perchance?
Looking on the bright side, custom 'camper van graphics' that are heavily inspired by Slipknot or Motörhead album covers, for example, will still have to be accepted as 'camper van graphics' for the purposes of the law. Time to get creative, I think.
Been looking for this for ages Thanks very informative , How does that go with an Abulance conversion as in self conversion
Good question! I guess the formal process would be to reregister as a van with windows and then convert and re-reregister as a motorcaravan, but I'm leaving mine as 'Ambulance' body type on the assumption that until I remove the lightbox and rear reflectors (mine's a Boxer) it will look more like an ambulance in traffic than anything else. Of course, there will probably be a time when it looks more like a campervan than an ambulance but hasn't yet been re-registered, but heyho...
So what is the internal height requirement now?
most insurances will give you a reasonable price now without having to register it with dvla.
Well that's just great. This country truly sucks. My van needs to fit in a multi story car park when I go to work. It cannot be higher than 2m. I literally bought a van last weekend. I feel that I have just totally been screwed over.
Thank you for getting this info out so quickly. I now have to fit a second window and awning bar...tut.
They have been refusing registrations for a while now, I can understand a lot of it but I don't think anyone saw the pop-top restriction coming
There might be hope for pop tops yet, see the other comments
Adrian flux insurance don't care what the DVLA say on the log book. As long as the van is being used as a camper they will insure it as that. I just finished building mine to the old requirements, was going to send my paperwork off today! I'm not going to bother with it now the van is finished and would be a real pain to fit a 2nd window
some insurance companies will be fine, others will use any excuse to either not pay out or pay out a reduced rate. I think its more for peace of mind than anything else but as long as everythings listed in the policy there should be no get out's
Two windows on one side is stupid, I bought a professional built Rapido camper van, 6m long hi top, and it only had one window each side!!
They'd be no point in converters giving themselves extra work in the process of converting a van. If it was a functional or useful benefit then I can see why. Otherwise why not just meet the minimum requirements. Now the minimum requirements includes all this extra stuff which quite frankly I would like to decide for myself if my camper wants it.
Still not sure why registering a change to camper van is needed.
You mention something about insurance at the beginning. Is it cheaper? dearer?
Is this a legal requirement?
Is it a road tax thing?
I intend making mine into a day van. Is there something I should look out for?
Thanks.
Yes it is a legal requirement to notify the DVLA of any changes to a vehicle, even down to a colour change etc. Insurance becomes cheaper and easier to find, some companies will not touch part converted or unregistered vans, others are fine with it. Tax classes can also change, sometimes becoming cheaper. Days vans would normally be classified as a modified van rather than a camper as most day vans don't meet the full guidelines so if you were not fussed about re-registering, you wouldn't have to
I think you can drive faster on dual carriage ways in a camper than in a van. I'm not sure if the cameras are intelligent enough to differentiate though.
Good job . . The clue is , if you want to be afforded the benefits of driving a motorhome then drive one !
If you want a van with a mattress in the back then deal with the extra cost !
Why all this drama !
Just to be clear. A vw caddy being a small van without a high top. Does that mean they can no longer be used?! 🤔
Or am I missing something?
Cheers 😁
No, it just means they maybe can be reregistered. You can just use a van as a camper, and if TPTB decide that a load of campers are now technically just 'vans', it doesn't really make any difference to you. The only real effect is on insurance costs (campers are cheaper than vans), and even then you don't _have_ to have the van registration say camper. Brokers like Adrian flux will just take some photos to decide if they'll insure it as a camper, and what the value is, independent of the DVLA reg.
@@Wookey. cheers for that 😁
Why are sliding Windows not apprroved...I have 2 each side on my LDV Convoy(High top)
Thank you for the clear headed explanation.
No problem, thanks for watching
so what is classed as an awning bar,, no electric or gas safety check... so not as bad as first thought
Self propelled vehicles, caravans and boats are only covered by the Gas Installation Regulations if they are hired to members of the public !
Correct, you have never had to get any gas or electrics officially checked over if for personal use and that is still the same. An awning rail is to attach an awning to the side of the vehicle, or a wind out awning bar where the awning is built in and secured to the vehicle. Either should be fine, basically to show there is the potential for outdoor space
I've four windows and two skylights but it'll still not be enough. I surly hope commonsense prevails
If you have a look at the checklist on the DVLA website and tick most (if not all) of them, then there should be no reason for them to refuse it if you are complying with their own form
Does that mean pop up roof prices may come down ...as I think nearly £5000 for a decent one is a bit over the top
I've always thought pop-tops were overpriced anyway. The DVLA may well accept pop-tops if enough other criteria are met in the conversion and if that's the case, then I doubt it
So. I have a 1989 Autosleeper Transit (Flair I think). It's a camper. It's ALWAYS been a camper. It only has one window on each side. When I took ownership, somehow the V5 got changed to Panel Van. Does this mean I can't re-register it as a motorhome now??? Madness.
Horay someone has let us know what is going on with dvla as ive been converting a renault master mk2 hi top and have been fighting to ger mine approved by dvla after nearly 3 months of battling rejection after rejection and after local MP, various other people getting involved its been accepted and when i watched your video while waiting for a bus.. Lovely lol.. I chuckled as every single point you have made my van has inside and out.. So happy days... But i do worry about the poor folks who are trying to convert their vans and now being told that they cant due to the height or sliding door thing... But a great video fella thanks for sharing all the best mr and mrs stytch and Renée the campervan conversion.
Thanks, good to know you've had yours registered already
Ok, here’s my query. I’m looking to buy a vehicle to convert. I’ve not had a car for many years so have zero no claims bonus, therefore cost of insurance is a major factor. On average a ‘minibus’ is £500 cheaper than a ‘van’ to insure so it seem to makes sense to start with the minibus and no incentive to reclassify?
Also how about if you start with a crew van (ie with windows on the sliding doors) and reclassify that as an MPV, might that be possible? Seems hard to argue about what a multi-purpose vehicle can be used for!
I think vans vs mpv’s cones down to the fitted windows, I think if you have solid panels in the sides rather than glass, it’s classed as a van, to reclassify I think you’d need to fit windows all around
How very timely. Just before the new normal
Wow, that’s pretty sticky on their definitions.
Great video very clear and concise. Liked and subscribed
Thanks, good to have you here
As for high top don't the DLV know work vans have high top so that doesn't make them easier to identify and it's obvious if a campervan has got a poptop so that is just ridiculous obviously though out by someone how don't know what they are talking about.
The “graphics” part is ridiculous. What about sticking some cheap vinyl on there for the photos and then ripping them off after?
that would probably be fine for the photos for the DVLA but if it was ever in an accident, the insurance might argue its no longer a camper with the required graphics no longer being there. I always fear the insurance man who'll use any excuse not to pay out
I think that an insurance company would have to argue the change was a contributory factor. Unlikely in the case of an accident but possible perhaps for theft.
What constitutes high roof ? Would a medium roof ( transit) count as high roof ? Would 2 small windows count ? They should give clear dimensions, this sounds very much up to interpretation?
I would think a high top is considered something you can stand up in. There is no window size requirement so small should be fine. Roofwise it would best to check with them
@@TheCampervanBuilder yes that make sense. I think the object is to put people off converting, and as years go on rules will only get tighter . Thanks for your video and reply .
Do what I did and buy a horse box truck with accomodation!! No worries and they are far cheaper than a camper van..
hope so mate as not got graphics and hight
Hi, thanks for sharing this information, with regards to high top, are dvla saying they will only register big high top vans as campers or what a bout a high top transit connect and the likes??.
Cheers.
if you can stand up in it, it should be fine
Good information I was going to build my own at first,so great for anyone planning too.
Thanks