Euro Trip - Seat dilemma

[ibrighton]

Hi everyone.

We’ve recently purchased a new campervan and we’re taking it on our first Euro trip with a few friends in a couple of weeks.

I’ve noticed a bit of a problem when checking the V5 that it’s technically been registered with 3 seats, despite having a belted rock and roll bed in the back.

There’s 4 of us going, so we’re a bit worried that we might get stopped at the border…

Will this be a problem? Do I need to get it changed with the DVLA before we go? Do we have time to get it swapped over?

 

[CAB]

Unlikely. But possible.

Also the Insurance may become invalid in the event of an accident.

DVLA usually pretty quick to get the number of belted seats changed, but you should have the original V5 (not a photocopy) to go abroad.

 

[ibrighton]

Unlikely. But possible.

Also the Insurance may become invalid in the event of an accident.

DVLA usually pretty quick to get the number of belted seats changed, but you should have the original V5 (not a photocopy) to go abroad.

Brilliant, thank you.. I’ll get the V5 sent off tomorrow, pray it comes back in time and ring my insurance company tomorrow.

What’s a big trip without last minute drama.

 

[ginkster]

It took over 4 weeks for DVLA to return my V5 so don’t do it too close to leaving. You need to send some pictures of the new seats to support your change. The insurance company don’t care what is on the V5, you just need to tell them the number of seats. I wouldn’t worry too much for the trip if you haven’t time beforehand, just sort the insurance.

 

[ibrighton]

It took over 4 weeks for DVLA to return my V5 so don’t do it too close to leaving. You need to send some pictures of the new seats to support your change. The insurance company don’t care what is on the V5, you just need to tell them the number of seats. I wouldn’t worry too much for the trip if you haven’t time beforehand, just sort the insurance.

Solid advice, thank you!

 

[cgtmiles]

I think mine is still showing as 3 seats on my v5 and it’s never had 3 seats, it went from 2 captains seats in the factory to 4 after conversion. It’s insured for 4 seats and it’s been to France with 4 people. I believe 2 seaters are often registered as 3 so I don’t really think it makes that much difference, it’s not like you could legally carry 3 people in a van with 2 seats just because the v5 says it does. Having said this I have been meaning to get this changed for 4 years now so maybe this will get me to sort it

 

[Salty Spuds]

My V5 originally stated 3 seats, the van came with 2. I had it converted & now had 5 seats, I just sent off the V5 to the DVLA, no photos or corroborating evidence & it came back as 5 seats.

 

[archersam]

If your insurers know about it then you wont have any issues with them in the event of an incident irrespective of what the v5 says. Take a photocopy before sending it off as well that is going to be better than nothing IF you are stopped and asked for your papers. In 30 trips over last couple of years only had to produce my v5 twice. 1) When I slow speed slid into someone in the snow in Slovakia, and even then I left my wife to deal with it and all the Police got was to see a photo of V5 as I took the van and carried on to the ski slope.........2) crossing the border into Croatia

 

[ibrighton]

I think mine is still showing as 3 seats on my v5 and it’s never had 3 seats, it went from 2 captains seats in the factory to 4 after conversion. It’s insured for 4 seats and it’s been to France with 4 people. I believe 2 seaters are often registered as 3 so I don’t really think it makes that much difference, it’s not like you could legally carry 3 people in a van with 2 seats just because the v5 says it does. Having said this I have been meaning to get this changed for 4 years now so maybe this will get me to sort it

Brilliant, thank you.

 

[ibrighton]

If your insurers know about it then you wont have any issues with them in the event of an incident irrespective of what the v5 says. Take a photocopy before sending it off as well that is going to be better than nothing IF you are stopped and asked for your papers. In 30 trips over last couple of years only had to produce my v5 twice. 1) When I slow speed slid into someone in the snow in Slovakia, and even then I left my wife to deal with it and all the Police got was to see a photo of V5 as I took the van and carried on to the ski slope.........2) crossing the border into Croatia

This makes me feel much more reassured, thank you!

 

[cgtmiles]

If your insurers know about it then you wont have any issues with them in the event of an incident irrespective of what the v5 says. Take a photocopy before sending it off as well that is going to be better than nothing IF you are stopped and asked for your papers. In 30 trips over last couple of years only had to produce my v5 twice. 1) When I slow speed slid into someone in the snow in Slovakia, and even then I left my wife to deal with it and all the Police got was to see a photo of V5 as I took the van and carried on to the ski slope.........2) crossing the border into Croatia

Left the wife to deal with the police while you buggered off to ski