campervan holiday

Re-Registration of your Campervan Conversion

Once you have completed your campervan conversion you have the option to re-register you vehicle as a ‘Motor Caravan’.  You may be put off by having your beloved camper being described as a caravan; however re-registration does have certain benefits:

  • Cheaper Campervan Insurance
  • More specific insurance cover including greater contents cover
  • Cheaper ferry prices
  • Cheaper M.O.T

There is no legal requirement to have your vehicle re-classified but due to the above it is probably worthwhile. This will change the category of vehicle on the V5C or log book as it is commonly known.

There are a number of requirements or ‘characteristics’ that the vehicle must have to qualify for reclassification as a campervan conversion.

To ensure accuracy of information we contacted the DVLA and they kindly replied with the following information:

The vehicle is required to display the following characteristics in order to meet the interpretation of ‘Motor Caravan’:-

Seats and a Table

  • Integral part of vehicle living accommodation area, (mounted independently of other items)
  • Table capable of being mounted directly to the vehicle floor and/or side wall table mounting arrangement secured is a permanent feature, (bolted, riveted, screwed or welded) although table may be detachable
  • Seats secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side-wall
  • Seats secured as a permanent feature, (bolted, riveted, screwed or welded)

Sleeping Accommodation

  • Integral part of vehicle living accommodation area
  • Either beds or beds converted from seats (to form a mattress)
  • Secured as a permanent feature, (with base structures bolted, riveted, screwed or welded)
  • Secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side wall, (unless provision over driver’s cab compartment)

Cooking Facilities

  • Integral part of vehicle living accommodation, (mounted independently of other items)
  • Secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side wall
  • Secured as a permanent feature, (bodied, riveted, screwed or welded)
  • Minimum of two ring cooking facility or microwave equipped in either case with fuel/power source

Storage Facilities

  • Cupboard / Locker
  • Integral part of vehicle living accommodation (mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below seat/sleeping accommodation or the cooker)
  • Secured as a permanent feature (bolted, riveted, screwed or welded)
  • Secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side wall (unless provision over driver’s cab compartment)

Not all vehicles, especially those that have been converted after 1st registration will be given the body type description of “Motorhome” on the V5C.

Another important clause is:

The exterior of the vehicle reasonably appears to be in the spirit of a Motorhome

This applies even if the vehicle meets the internal check list criteria.

Once you have carried out the appropriate changes you should then send the V5C to the address below with a covering letter and photographs of the changes that you have made in order for the record to be updated:
DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA