Do You Have To Register Your Van As An Rv If You're Living In It

** UPDATE August 2019 ** Hither is my respond to Nick Kelly regarding the current issue with the DVLA.

"Due to the ascent in popularity of self-converted vans, the DLVA have recently had a bit of a meltdown and (in near cases) are no longer changing any V5 description to 'Motor Caravan'. Their staff are stating that the exterior of the vehicle needs to have "the spirit of a motorhome" (say what?!) and from what I have heard, whilst they yet change a select few (the ones that have a pop top and external vents etc) they are either rejecting the awarding completely or changing the status to 'Van with windows'. Which doesn't requite any benefit whatsoever!.

At present i'm not 100% sure what's going to happen but I will update this mail service as soon as the DVLA issue the definitive criteria this September.

The other option you have is to go on information technology registered as a van and observe an insurance company that is happy to insure you lot without the logbook stating 'motor caravan'. In that location are many that are happy to do so, Adrian Flux being one of them.

I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear but for now we'll only have to sit tight and hope for the best.
– Rob

We've almost finished our conversion and decided now was the perfect time to take the next pace and get it officially registered as a "camper van".

If you live (or are registered) in the United kingdom, then autonomously from being a legal requirement, reclassifying equally a camper van gives you a few actress perks:

BENEFITS:

Cheaper insurance: Campervan insurance is generally ten% – l% cheaper than van insurance.
Contents Insurance:Vehicles registered as campervans generally have better contents insurance than panel vans.
College speed limits: No longer restricted to 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
Cheaper ferry/cost bridge:Both typically cheaper for a campervan or motorhome than a commercial van.
Cheaper MOT:Class VII vehicles (betwixt 3000kg and 3500kg) registered equally camper vans come under the cheaper and less strict Class IV MOT rules.

As y'all tin can see information technology only makes sense to re-register. First things beginning though, before you lot can re-register, you must meet sure criteria.

For a vehicle to qualify equally a 'Motor Caravan' in the eyes of the DVLA the post-obit permanent fixtures must be present:

REQUIREMENTS:

Chamber
- There must be a bed with a minimum length of 6ft. (Note:from what i've seen i don't think they bank check this, every bit long equally it looks big plenty).
- The bed must be an integral office of the vehicle living accommodation area
- The bed must exist permanent or converted from seats (the bed can fold away during the mean solar day)
- The bed fixtures must be secured directly to the vehicle flooring and/or side walls, unless information technology is over the drivers cab compartment.
Door
- There must be a horizontal sliding door or an outward opening rear or side door.
Seats and Tables
- At that place must be a seating area for diners to sit around
- The table can be stock-still or detachable
- The table must mount directly to the vehicle flooring or side walls
- The table mounting must be secured as a permanent feature, either bolted screwed or welded. The table itself can be detachable. Click HERE to see ours.
- Seats must be secured direct to the vehicle floor and/or side walls
- The seats must be secured every bit a permanent fixture, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
- Permanently secured seating must be available for use at a table
Water Container
Note: DVLA practise non state whatever requirements regarding water storage. Yet, most insurance companies state that the water tank should be onboard, or nether the chassis. Yet, some insurance companies are happy with an external water container that can be moved, such equally those used with a caravan.
- The vehicle must have an onboard or external (e,g, under the chassis) water container
- Note: Some insurers crave the water container to agree at to the lowest degree 27 litres.
Storage
- The vehicle must take at least one cupboard, locker or wardrobe
- The cupboard must be an integral part of the living accommodation surface 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
Cooking
- The vehicle must have cooking facilities powered past 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 exist a permanent feature, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
- Gas and electric hobs must have a minimum or 2 cooking rings. Microwave ovens must accept a power source (don't just fit 1 that can't be used)
- Cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies must take the gas/fuel supply pipe permanently secured to the vehicle structure
- Gas cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies should accept the gas canteen, fuel reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
Exterior
- The vehicle must have at to the lowest degree one side window
- Since 2011 the DVLA are now asking that the vehicle look similar a motor caravan from the outside. The details are nonetheless unclear what is required. (Note: At the time of writing this post this criteria isn't fully enforced, the only thing that makes our sprinter van look like a camper from the outside are the side windows, and then don't worry too much if y'all want to stay "stealthy". All the same this may modify in the futurity.)

These are only guidelines and not everything is strictly essential; i have seen many vans with shorter beds mounted sideways that take not had any bug.

Re-registering is one of those things that a many folk seem to get pretty anxious about. But equally we discovered recently, theres no need to worry.
Re-registering your van conversion to a camper-van couldn't be easier. Just Follow this uncomplicated step by stride guide:

HOW TO:

ane. Print Pictures

Impress 15-twenty colour pictures of your campervan. Include photographs from the front end and rear with the registration plates clearly visible, each of the required features with the bed and table in the usable position and if the vehicle has a rear door it should exist opened and showing some of the interior.

On the dorsum of each photograph write a description of what the photograph shows, the appointment and the vehicle registration number.

Tip: if you don't have access to a printer, Boots (and many other supermarkets) have a inexpensive and instant press facility to print straight from your phone.

2. Write a cover letter

Yous demand a brief alphabetic character explaining that you lot would like to register as a 'Motor Caravan'.
I usedTHIS example letter from the DVLA site. (make adjustments to suit).

Notation: on the DVLA website it states you should transport receipts for the work carried out, however this IS NOT a requirement and will not have any bear upon on your awarding.

3. Fill in V5C (aka Logbook)

Complete Section vii (blue box) on your V5C.

Write "MOTOR CARAVAN' in the 'Body Type' box at the top and and then the date in the box just below that. (i as well changed seats from iii to 2).
Then in Section 8, sign and date the left hand box 'Registered Keeper' , and popular it all in the post to 'DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA'.

Note: I sent it as a recorded commitment for piece of mind, information technology only cost a couple of quid.

Thats it! It really is simple, it only takes a bit of common sense and a few minutes of your time.

I know it'due south only a piece of newspaper but this actually felt similar a big step for us. It's funny but it was so rewarding to receive the new logbook and encounter the words 'Motor Caravan'.

Another job washed!

– Rob (The Road Is Our Dwelling)

Hopefully i take covered everything, let me know if i haven't.