Dvla And Changing From 9 To 5 Seater Mpv

[bullracing]

I had trouble getting insurance as it was classed as a 9 seater minibus.
I took pictures of the van as a 5 seater. I got a video walk around and pictures of the front single seats and the middle 3rd row.
I had a rug in the back and no seats. Would DVLA accept that or do I need to have the van checked?
What do I need to do with the V5. Simply return it with a header letter explaining and some pictures?

 

[Dieseldonkey]

My Shuttle seating was reduced from 9 to 6 as part of its conversion to a camper. But before it was reclassified with DVLA, my insurer stated as long as only 6 seats were fitted in place and only 6 folk transported in it, it would be fine. Despite it having 9 seats on the V5. Maybe have a chat with some of the specialist companies such as Brentacre or A plan.

On a side note, with 9 seats in total, its 1 passenger seat short of officially being a minibus. It's an MPV, diesel car according to DVLA.

 

[bullracing]

Mine came up as a minibus on insurance places which is really annoying. Its title even has MB at the end. :-( which is sort of why I am really wanting to get it changed if I can.

 

[Paynewright]

I changed my 9 seat window van (kombi + 3rd row) to 8. Just one box to fill in on the V5. Posted it about a week later new v5 arrived showing it as an 8 seater - simples! Still classed as a car too.

I’d take a pic of your old V5 to ensure nothing else is amended by ‘accident’!

 

[Paynewright]

PS - I think insurers have mis-interpreted the definition of minibus. According to dvla a car can have up to 8 seats plus the driver ie 9. A minibus is >=9 seats plus the driver so 10 or more total (there is an upper limit but I forget what it is).

When you say 9 seats to the insurers (incl driver) I think they bump it into the minibus category. Made £1k difference on my policy so the captains chair paid for in 6 months.

 

[bullracing]

Thank you thats brill. I will get on it. Yes I am paying silly money per month because of the 9 seat thing. I found my insurers would not insure anything over a 7 seat which they would class as a car. For instance tesco who I had my previous 7 seat would not insure my 9 seat even when I said ok what if I take the back seats out..... nope as its on the registration we cannot insure it as any less gggrrrr. So yes stuck paying silly money. I have now whipped the fronts out to captains to drop it to a 5 seat. Eventually it will be a camper but if I can keep it as a 5 seat MPV that will do lovely and will keep my insurance lower for the future.