V5 Documentation - DVLA Rule Change for Motor Caravan Reregistration June 2019

[Grim Reaper]

That’s just one example of where not having the right description on the V5 could mean the difference between being welcomed or turned away.
I am sure there are others, not least being the insurance situation, tolls, speed limits, club memberships etc etc.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Say you are the owner of a 2017 Birchover Executive, currently described as a Motor Caravan on your V5, enjoying your Campervan insurance rates, Eurotunnel ticket prices, 70mph speed limits and all the rest.
Then, through no fault of your own, your van gets written off by a wayward crane ploughing into it whilst it's parked up by the side of the A14.
You get a nice new replacement from Hillside Leisure, all the same fixtures and fittings, paint colour and cabinetry, but, the V5 now will only say Van/Windows.
How pissed are you going to be that you now can't get your insurance for the same price, your Eurotunnel tickets are now Commercial van rates, Tolls on the bridges and motorways that you go over or down every day have now doubled in price and to top it all off you have to set off for work 30 minutes earlier because you can only go 60mph instead of 70?

 

[Neuon2003]

Latest on the Cali forum on this, Californias that have been registered as MPV is a mistake according to VWCV UK and a result of dealers being given the wrong code to input into the system during first registration.
Doesn’t help with conversions but removes one suspicion that DVLA were trying to stop Motorhome registration for vans.

Thanks @Loz . Yes, my post in the California forum is copied below, available here:
Change to Body Type Description

The important takeaway from the conversation with the Dealer was "wait out".

Interesting call from the Dealer this morning as a follow-up to a request for information I asked VWCS for 10 days ago. I have a factory order in process and asked VWCS for information about the reasons for the DVLA body type change to MPV and if they could provide support with the ABI, C&MC et al regarding the consequences for specialist insurance (i.e. touring insurance) and prohibited access to some camp sites.

VWCS initially said last week that this change was due to a DVLA internal policy change, outside their control, which they had been unaware of before my call. VWCS were persuaded last week to escalate this to VWCS senior management after I asked whether DVLA's legal classification as MPV meant the VW California could no longer be marketed/referred to as a camper van.

I was called today by the dealership and told that, due to the escalation, it had been established that the change was due to a VW error with the input of an incorrect MVRIS code when the California model is imported. I was told that VWCS is in the process of addressing this and to wait out. DVLA has confirmed MVRIS is an SMMT database (Here).

 

[Neuon2003]

That’s just one example of where not having the right description on the V5 could mean the difference between being welcomed or turned away. I am sure there are others, not least being the insurance situation, tolls, speed limits, club memberships etc etc.

I think you are right to illustrate this and I do think that there are grounds the DVLA policy decision is worth challenging and have made suggestions to support this.

DVLA's justification based on data integrity and lack of choice of database descriptor appears synthetic (e.g. see here: #267). I would not be at all surprised if the bit they are struggling to reconcile is speed limits, given what a motor caravan is legally defined as. And let's not forget that at its heart this issue is about "Registering a DIY caravan" (probably based on Type Approval for IVA), and not "does your DIY caravan look like a motor home".

 

[Teesix]

There's another related issue with people's campers being registered as vans with windows. You won't be able to use them to go to your local household tip. Well you will, but you'll be charged the commercial rate for disposal. And that's quite pricey where I live.

 

[Ann3x]

At my local tip if you certify (sign a form) that your use is personal they are fine. No charge even with a semi converted van.

There's another related issue with people's campers being registered as vans with windows. You won't be able to use them to go to your local household tip. Well you will, but you'll be charged the commercial rate for disposal. And that's quite pricey where I live.

 

[Teesix]

At my local tip if you certify (sign a form) that your use is personal they are fine. No charge even with a semi converted van.

That's handy. Ours are a right militant bunch. They always want to have a looksee inside the van to confirm it's a camper. Everything else it deemed to be commercial.

 

[Ayjay]

Sorry but I'm not convinced that having a quick look inside a van to confirm it's a camper and not just a van trying to avoid a large fee is a sign of militancy.

 

[Urbanfox]

OK guys, after a second attempt at getting the Vans body classed as a Motorhome and sending quite a number of photos, showing gas, water, pop topect ect,
they are addamantthat its a Van/Side Windows and with the letter I received, below, they are saying thats there final decision. It would be really nice to know or find out just what has invoked
these decisions as from June this year. The wording has been there from 2011 when they first, as I'm aware off, tried to implement it then relaxed it.
I will now get in touch with my insurance and make sure they are insuring as a Camper and not a bog standardpanel van. Been intouchwith the Insurance and they are OK about it and are still insuring as a Motor Home. Thats LV insurance.
View media item 2799

 

[Dieseldonkey]

More likely to restrict existing motorcaravan V5's to commercial vehicle speeds and emission controls (grenade incoming)

Er, yes. If that's happens, don your yellow vest and make like the french.

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

Hands up who fancies a drive round Westminster in their van with windows? Maybe on a Friday about 3pm until 6pm........at 5mph.
Hold on I think I can hear the thought police bashing my door down ..........................arrrrggghgh

 

[goldeneye243]

Has anyone tried to put through a two tone van (Motor Caravan)? Would that be different enough?

 

[Urbanfox]

The speed restrictions don't really bother me as I'm quite a sedate driver these days and as long as I'm aware, which I am now, then I shall try to adeare to those speeds.
When I'm in the van, 90% of the time so is the dog so I drive carefully so she doesn't get thrown about even though her harness is attached to a rear seat belt.
So when in the Van, its 50/60/70 got that stamped into the grey matter now.

 

[Urbanfox]

Just signed this petition which has been accepted so over to you guys to help it along.
Petition: DVLA - to add a new category for vehicle classification - to add, Campervan

 

[Ads_Essex]

Just signed this petition which has been accepted so over to you guys to help it along.
Petition: DVLA - to add a new category for vehicle classification - to add, Campervan

Signed.

 

[Ann3x]

Just signed this petition which has been accepted so over to you guys to help it along.
Petition: DVLA - to add a new category for vehicle classification - to add, Campervan

Signed

 

[Roadrage123]

Signed

 

[Loz]

I don’t think we all need to reply to say that we have signed now, do we....

 

[moomin-j]

I don’t think we all need to reply to say that we have signed now, do we....

Just for the hell of it...

Signed.

 

[Ayjay]

As far as GDPR allows, could sit admins please do something to publicise this new petition? I don't know how many camper van owners are members of the forum but if they all sign and pass the word to their friends....................