Camping discussion moved here: V5 Documentation requested at campsite?
V5 Documentation - DVLA Rule Change for Motor Caravan Reregistration June 2019
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I'm not sure that this adds much to the saga but it still makes an interesting quick read:
www.outandaboutlive.co.uk
Government ombudsman criticises DVLA over campervan confusion
Communication failures by the DVLA about what a campervan is are leaving people confused and is a failure of its role, according to the national ombudsman
www.outandaboutlive.co.uk
The DVLA's justification for refusing to reclassify converted vans as motor caravans is that "...the Police [and other authorities] need to be able identify a vehicle's type by how it visually presents on the road, in traffic".
This justification, however, is demonstrably false. Take a VW California - this is classified as a motor caravan- yet the DVLA would still refuse to reclassify a converted van even if it were visually indistinguishable from a California.
So, why the lies and what's the real reason for refusing to reclassify?
This justification, however, is demonstrably false. Take a VW California - this is classified as a motor caravan- yet the DVLA would still refuse to reclassify a converted van even if it were visually indistinguishable from a California.
So, why the lies and what's the real reason for refusing to reclassify?
If we accept that the internals of all three vans meet the DVLA's published criteria for consideration as a motor caravan (i.e. sink, bed, cooking facilities, etc.), then there's obvious inconsistency of decision-making between the first two vans. I also note that, due to the absence of 'motorhome graphics', the GC680 itself doesn't meet those same criteria.
Such irrational and contradictory decisions often arise when rules are introduced without recourse to or consideration of the existing legislative framework. In legal parlance, this is known as an arbitrary decision and, as such, is challengeable by judicial review. However, judicial reviews can be very expensive, so who on here would be willing to contribute to a Go Fund Me page set up to fund such a review?
I thought some retired barrister and her husband were doing just that after they spent a fortune converting to meet DVLA advertised requirements and then getting a Van with Windows result.
Believe they went down the route of complaining to the PHSO - a government-appointed ombudsman - who criticised the DVLA and made a number recommendations. However, the recommendations are neither legally binding, nor do they relate to the rules the DVLA have implemented - rather they relate to how the DVLA communicates those rules to the public.
A judicial review has the power to compel the DVLA to rethink the rules.
I've already posted about it!
I'm not sure that this adds much to the saga but it still makes an interesting quick read:
Government ombudsman criticises DVLA over campervan confusion
Communication failures by the DVLA about what a campervan is are leaving people confused and is a failure of its role, according to the national ombudsman
I read it. Hopefully I didn't misrepresent the article you linked to.
Is it worth it? As has already been said many times, what the van is classified as on the V5 is largely irrelevant. If it fulfils the legal criteria for a “motor Caravan” then it’s a motor Caravan end of story. People are getting their thongs in a twist over nothing. Ok, the occasional pedantic campsite might not let you on, so what, go somewhere else. Eurotunnel might give you a hard time, but I can assure you that DFDS ferries won’t, and they’re cheaper and a better experience imho. The actual problems caused by the DVLA incompetence are negligible & honestly not worth bothering about. Life’s too short, enjoy your “Van with windows” as if it’s a “motor Caravan” and move on….literally.
I agree to an extent, but it isn't healthy to have public bodies acting without accountability. Unintended consequences and inconsistency of outcome arise from arbitrary and capricious decision-making, and, whilst the consequences in this case are minor, that won't necessarily be the case next time.
Absolutely agree, it’s not just the DVLA, add HMRC/NHS/Border Force on to the list too. But let’s keep our powder dry until something that really matters hits the fan. The V5 issue is such a small problem & will affect only a tiny number of people, that it’s unlikely to attract any major attention, sympathy or traction. Pick the battles worth fighting for and hopefully win. Obviously this is just my take on things.
I think maybe I get charged more on the dartford tunnel and maybe get a ticket for using the black wall tunnel (haven’t tried and I don’t know if motor caravan are exempt from the rules there) but I have no issues at eurotunnel or anything else with the van with windows classification (yet!).
I’m not intending to sell and even if I did I wouldn’t expect this to impact the resale value for the same reasons.
I did think the original change was something to do with aligning with European regs but I don’t know why and implement in this way surely doesn’t help that even if it was the case
I’m not intending to sell and even if I did I wouldn’t expect this to impact the resale value for the same reasons.
I did think the original change was something to do with aligning with European regs but I don’t know why and implement in this way surely doesn’t help that even if it was the case
Read through the (interminable) thread. If your van legally meets the criteria for a motor Caravan & you get a ticket for exceeding the van speed limit, appeal, take it to court, you’ll win. The precedent has already been set & tested in court. This is actually a more realistic way of applying pressure to the DVLA, than any petition. If enough cases of mistaken identity go to court, the legal system will apply pressure to the DVLA.
Probably not the time or place for that particular conversation tbh
yeah fairProbably not the time or place for that particular conversation tbh
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