The DVLA refuses to accept that my van has been converted to a campervan. Despite meeting all their requirements they say it doesn't look like a campervan in traffic. Getting it changed means I can go 70 instead of 60 and insurance, tolls and ferries can be cheaper. They allow vans like the HYymer Grand Canyon S to be 'motor caravans' despite it having no 'campervan style graphics' which is one of their requirements. What say you, is it a campervan or not?

Edit 3 Some people are missing the point of the question. I agree the phrase about where the windows have to be is open to interpretation but that isn't the point, the DVLA didn't say there was a problem with the windows, they said it doesn't look like a campervan which I believe it does.

Edit: Updated because previous attemp was Low Effort and got deleted

Edit 2 For those interested other pictures I submitted can be seen here https://pixelfed.social/p/nicknoxx/847440328508178381

by nicknoxx

43 comments

  1. If that’s a side canopy, take an extra pic with it extended and a nice camping table/chair set under it.

  2. You’re missing the ‘On an adventure before dementia’ sticker.

  3. Put campervan text on the sides with a large beach umbrella graphic. Tie a kayak to the top.

  4. A picture with the doors open showcasing your interior could help.

  5. Photo with the canopy out as other commented said.
    Set up camping chairs and stuff just to drive the point home.

    Get some stickers for the back, the ones many campers have, like “home is where you park it” and stuff

  6. Make it more obvious from the outside that those are windows on both sides – have a light on inside and fully open whatever things (whether blinds or curtains) you’ve got.

  7. Add a small passive aggressive decal to each side saying “Hello DVLA, this is a campervan”

  8. It doesn’t meet the DVLA’s criteria. You need two windows on at least one side of the van. You only have one on each side, the rear doors don’t count.

  9. That screams “campervan” to me. Maybe add one of the bedding set up or however you do “night mode” and one of it at a camp site, set up and *not* sticking out like a sore thumb like a van would.

  10. Perhaps you’ve got crossed wires here. Maybe they’re saying it’s not _camp_ enough. I suggest some getting it resprayed in pink and black zebra stripes, and definitely fitting some disco lighting.

  11. Out of nosy and uninformed interest, why can that kind of cosmetic level change mean you can do a higher speed limit? Isn’t it about the weight or type of van?

  13. I’ve read a bunch of chatter in the hashtagvanlife places about not bothering so much with this any more, since the insurance savings aren’t that much and they can be cancelled out by cruising everywhere at 70 🙂

    I think the biggie that they like is windows all the way back, so it doesn’t look like a crew-cab with stickers on.

  14. Missing the infamous sticker.

    The only tool in this van is the driver.

  15. I guess because it only has windows behind the cab area so they think it’s possibly still a ‘crew cab’ van, or at least still looks like one. Take some photos with the side sliding door open and also with rear doors open and also with just one open leaving the door with the reg plate closed so they can see that.

  16. You, and many others, are missing the point. Daft as it sounds the requirement is for your campervan to be very clearly identifiable as such in low light conditions by police patrols. It is utter nonsense but thems the rules.

  18. All the people here posting about “take a photo with the doors open showing the inside”, etc. a missing the point of OPs post.

    The DVLA are not contesting its not a converted van, they are saying that it doesn’t look like a campervan **In Traffic -** As such if OP gets caught on a mobile camera doing 70, there is no external way to show its a camper, not a normal van, and as such they will get a speeding ticket – It’s not like OP can open the doors to show off his integrated fridge-freezer whilst wizzing up the A40…

  19. I have no useful information to share on this, I’m just excited to spot a Beautiful Days sticker!

  20. It’s a sense of freedom you don’t get with other holidays.

  23. This is the DVLA’s criteria for a ‘motor caravan’

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan

    You need to meet everything they list there, including the internal features, to be classed as such. Out of interest, why do you want it registered as a motor caravan? It states in the link above:

    “It is important to remember that even if the vehicle’s body type is not changed to ‘motor caravan’, the vehicle can still be used for this purpose as long as the keeper is satisfied the converted vehicle meets the required internal features for motor caravans.”

    Hope this helps.

  24. “This is my own private domicile and I will not be harrassed bitch”

  25. Sorry mate. Your vehicle is not a Campervan according to the definitions given.

    [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan)

    >***External Features***

    >*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:*

    >**FAIL** *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*

    >**PASS** *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*

    >**PASS*****?*** *motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle*

    >**PASS** ***(I assume that is on the left side of the roof – should open it out)*** *an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle*

    >**PASS** *a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)*

    >
    ***Internal features***

    >*Motor caravan means a special purpose M category vehicle constructed to include living accommodation which contains at least the following internal equipment:*

    >**PASS** *seats and a table*

    >**FAIL** ***(not seen)*** *sleeping accommodation which may be converted from the seats*

    >**PASS** *cooking facilities*

    >**PASS** *storage facilities*

    >*This equipment must be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however, the table may be designed to be easily removable.*

    Here’s more info about the interior.

    [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan)

    I think big one is that you need at least 2x windows one side of the vehicle – and this cannot include the drivers or the front passenger windows.

  26. You need one showing the registration as well as an open door showing the rear interior. Your interior view could be a different vehicle than the exterior pictures.

  27. Put a label on it. Buy a stickers to go on the outside that say “camper van”. They cant deny that makes it look like one.

  28. At first glance it just looks like a van.

    At second glance (and going through the pixelfed link) it doesn’t appear to have a toilet.

    Should probably start by repainting it a vague beige colour.

  29. Your phrase “in traffic” stood out to me. My understanding is that one reason for classification change is when someone sees it driving past, say the police, the description they provide should match. Coachwork style motor homes very much look like motor caravans. Converted panel vans less so, hence the challenge you’re facing getting them to agree.

    Having also looked at the guidance one other element may be a sticking point;

    “You must provide clear evidence that the vehicle you have converted will permanently be a ‘motor caravan’ AND it meets the requirements for the internal and external features.”

    To me that ‘and’ is doing some heavy lifting. Once they change the classification it should be a permanent change. A lot of the modifications for panel vans don’t change the look that it is still a panel van. Decals and interiors can be removed and it’s no longer a motor caravan so I can see their pushback.

    Whatever advice you get here DVLA are the arbiters at the end of the day so you need a clear explanation from them as their subjectivity can be frustrating.

  30. What’s the advantage is having them accept it registered as a camper van ?

  31. Presumably you would need a photo showing that it has a bed too, for it to be a campervan rather than a van with a kitchenette

  32. Send them a video file of a walk around with the van doors open. But make you you start and finish with a view inside and make sure you start and end with the front and rear plates in clear view.

  33. You could just stick a 100% tinted window onto the outside of the side where there isn’t a sliding door.

    From the outside it then looks like you have 2 windows on the outside, even though in reality you don’t!

  35. So many comments but so few saying you can go 70mph in your van. If you get a speeding ticket, just send the photos in with an appeal and they cancel it. Ferry operators dont ask you to produce the V5 to confirm it’s not a commercial vehicle either, and neither have any of the insurance companies I’ve insured mine with.

    I seen a post recently where a coach built motor home was refused change of use, and insurers and ferry operators understand this too so aren’t as stringent on it.

    TLDR – there’s almost no point in changing it on the V5 anymore.

  36. A substantial decal on the remaining undecorated panels reading “van life”/”my other camper is a boat”/”don’t come a-knocking when this camper van’s rocking” or something might help, or a Caravan Club sticker and/or some destination souvenir stickers.

    ETA that wouldn’t help with the window requirement, though; not sure that anything short of dividing the existing windows or putting a couple more in would, tbh.

  37. How about some stickers that say, “this is a campervan” so the authorities can identify you? Only half sarcasm here.

  38. One of the criteria is ‘Does it have 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors)?’

    ……it looks to me as if it fails on that.

  39. TIL those crappy generic vinyl stickers are to try to pass a DVLA requirement.

  40. My FIL needed to prove his ancient taxi was wheelchair accessible for some reason or other so he sent them a few photos of him pushing his mum up the ramp into the passenger area on a wheelchair – she doesn’t need a wheelchair and her face is an absolute picture throughout. All got approved.

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