Reclassifying your van
Reclassifying your van
After converting a van into a campervan, it will need to be reclassified through the DVLA. This will formally change it from a ‘van’ into a ‘motor caravan’.
Doing so grants you a range of benefits in terms of insurance cover, cheaper MOTs, and higher speed limits in some cases.
The DVLA is very strict about the changes you need to make in order to qualify for reclassification. These go far beyond simply putting windows and a bed in the van.
The full criteria can be accessed at the government website.
You’ll need to send evidence in support of your application including interior and exterior photos.
DVLA Conversions Requirements
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:
- 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
- a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
- motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
- an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
- a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)
DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
DVLA Checklist
Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:
they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table
Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:
shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment
Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure
Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:
can be a cupboard or locker
form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment
Staying legal
Particularly if you’re doing the conversion work yourself, it’s important that you stay on the right side of the law as there are a number of rules and regulations that it’s all too easy to fall foul of.
Check your weight
It’s essential to check your converted van, additional features, contents and passengers, will not exceed the legal weight to drive. Do the following to check:
Before starting work on your DIY campervan conversion, take the van to a weigh-bridge to find out its unladen weight. Find your nearest weigh-bridge via the government website.
Take this weight from the van’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) (found on the VIN plate or the owner’s manual).
This will give you the maximum weight that your fittings and furnishings, luggage and any passengers can be.
If you exceed this you will be committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
Check your driving licence
If you plan to drive your converted campervan in the UK, you need to be licensed to drive in one of two categories. Your age and the van’s MAM will determine the type of licence you require.
If your vehicle has a MAM of 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, you will need a category C1 licence.
If your vehicle has a MAM over 7.5 tonnes, you will need a category C licence.
Most campervans are so-called Class B vehicles and will be suitable for C1 category licence holders. Always check before taking to the road in your campervan for the first time.