Good luck your van is not high enough. But yes they want the windows and the graphics.

 

Yes stickers will make it a camper

 

I dont think anyone has been allowed to reclassify in years (unless you have a high top).

 

Simple question: Is it a high roof T5? Like this so you can stand up fully?

If not then save your stamp. You have zero chance since mid 2019, sorry. Oh, and pop tops don't count !!

You can get it reclassified from "panel van" to "van with windows" if you want.

Reclassifying Your Panel Van or Van with Windows to a Motorcaravan – the Conundrum! | Jerba Campervans

In 2019 reclassifying a panel van, or van with windows, to a motor caravan with the DVLA suddenly became a far more difficult task. From previously only

www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

If it is a high top roof then on you go although they are fussy with some high tops now.

Needs full conversion, windows, motorhome style graphics etc

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk

Motor caravan external permanent features
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:

• 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
• a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
• motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
• an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
• a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)

DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.

Motor caravan internal features
Motor caravan means a special purpose M category vehicle constructed to include living accommodation which contains at least the following internal equipment:

• seats and a table
• sleeping accommodation which may be converted from the seats
• cooking facilities
• storage facilities

Now bear in mind you don't really achieve anything anymore with this classification. Folk don't really care when buying anymore.

Possibly cheaper insurance but that's a lottery nowadays. I insure my "van with windows" campervan with Adrian Flux and it's not exactly expensive.

"Yes but I can then travel at car speeds on roads and dual carriageways"

Yawn, that old chestnut. If you have a fully converted campervan you can travel at car speeds even if your V5 says "van with windows"

Yes, you may get a ticket on non motorways but it it easily rescinded with photographic proof to Plod. This is proven.

Campervan, Van With Windows & Motorcaravan Speed Limits (2020/2021 Update) | Jerba Campervans

In February 2020 we wrote a blog about campervan and van with windows speed limits, which sought to unravel the mysteries of what dictates how fast you

www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

Campervan & Panel Van Speed Limits Update | Jerba Campervans

In our last blog on speed limits for campervans, panel vans and vans with side windows, which we posted on the 22nd September 2021, we talked about how we

www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

 

Shame the Jerba links in the topic is no longer active.

 

Is there a 'need' to have it reclassified?
Nobody cares either way and the DVLA are just making reclassification almost impossible for most of us these days.
Back in the good old days (pre 2019) it was a doddle .

In a previous post you mention its got a poptop so doesn't meet the current criteria i'm afraid .

 

Even high tops struggle. The dvla won't tell us thw real reason why too. I suspect its political but hey ho.

It is important to have it changed to reflect the number of seats so you may aswell go van with windows. The way I see it, if I've let them decide then at least it should be right.

 

Similar reqirements here in NL to register as a camper.
A minimum internal height of (from memory) 1.73mtr over a length 2mtr X 1mtr wide, can also be a poptop, on some types of vehicles 1.73 X 1 X 1mtr.
Cooking facilities with work surface, sink with water supply, storage facilities, sleeping for minimum 2 people, seating for minimal 2 people in the living quarters, seats can be converted to beds. Table which may be removable.
There are minimum size requirements for the beds and height requirements for cooking /work surface and sink.
Don't recall there being requirements for windows or a fitted awning bar, and stickers definately not......
After conversion the vehicle has to be re-registered as a camper with the vehicle registration authourities and then you have to seperately re-classify the vehicle with the tax authourities, which I'm given to understand tend to be more..er..difficult.
The advantage of re-registering as a camper is the difference in road tax, at present you pay a quarter compared to a regular private van (commercially registered vans pay even less).
The government are attempting to increase the road tax by 50% for campers and motor homes.
At present I pay around €147.00 per quarter, if it was registered as a private van that would be around €588.00 per quarter. (or €588.00 per annum compared to €2352.00 per annum)
Rates vary depending on engine size, type of fuel, weight and region/province. I have the misfortune of living in the most expensive province.
Tax on petrol vehicles is cheapest but petrol is generally the most expensive, tax on diesels is more expensive but diesel is cheaper than petrol, tax on LPG vehicles is the most expensive but LPG is cheaper than petrol or diesel.
There are some more finer points but that's the general requirements.

 

It’s mad when Vw make a California Beach which is a pop top with a couple of cupboards and a bed which is classed as a motor caravan ??

 

It’s mad when VW make a California Beach which is a pop top with a couple of cupboards and a bed which is classed as a motor caravan ??

Converted from a brand new unregistered vehicle and they have type approval that is the crucial difference. Read my post above with the Jerba link.

Here in summary

If I buy a brand new professionally converted campervan with a pop top roof then will it be registered as a motorcaravan?

Simple answer – it depends! Where a professional converter sources a brand new vehicle from a manufacturer and then converts it into a campervan then even though it could have a pop top roof and not have two awning rails and fancy exterior decals, then yes it can. The professional converter has to meet regulations such as having certified full Type Approval (by IVA, National Small Series or European Whole Vehicle) and the vehicle must be unregistered so that the application is the very first – if the converter is working on an already registered panel van or window van then they won’t be able to have it reclassified as a motorcaravan.

This means that yes, converters such as ourselves and of course the VW California will have a DVLA Body Type of motor caravan on their V5’s despite being pop top campervans.

 

Manufactured as a motor caravan thats the difference, maybe its a way of protecting the builders business?
You cant just convert 'anything' these days and get it reclassified...coaches, double decker busses etc etc .

 

I didn't realise there was such a difficulty in the UK in reclassifying vans as campers these days. I thought Germany was difficult, but all I had to show was that there was a fixed bed, some storage capacity, a table and a permanent cooking capability. OK the actual test looks at the general suitability of the vehicle as a camper but any conversion containing the above requirements would probably meet that basic critieria.

 

It was easy before mid 2019 in the U.K. As B&T says those were the days.....

I missed my T4 re-class by 1 month. Got the good old "van with windows" back

As has been said previously makes no difference really to anything nowadays.

 

I got the knock on my full Reimo conversion back in 2010/11 !

 

We got our self build passed without any problems in 2015 .

 

Yes but you would have no chance now.



and it makes a big difference. Speed limits and insurance and VED.

 

Yes a direct quote from earlier

 

Quite a few fail on the graphics. They are expecting BIG motorhome style decals like this.

 

Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

 

Wheres the personal touch Dan ? We only ever get the same copy and pasted line from you .
Maybe he's a bot 🤖......