FAILED! Freedom of Information Request to DVLA for change of body type to motor caravan

Recent freedom of information request to the DVLA for the "Percentage of requests to change 'body type' to 'motor caravan' refused by DVLA" didn't come to much, has the DVLA got something to hide???
www.ombudsman....
nohma.com/van-...

[@skyhill4279]

I bought a retired WAV from Motability which was exempt from road tax. When I registered it in my name I found out that on first registration it had been registered as an M1 instead of an N1. This meant that my "Sprinter Panel Van" as it stated in the reg doc was classed as a diesel car and not a van. This attracted road tax of over £700 per annum. I called the DVLA to have it changed, they asked for my Certificate of Conformity, which I didn't have so they refused. I had other EU Certificates of Compliances stating my van's VIN number and it's N1 classification but they wouldn't accept them. I fought them for a year with the help of Mercedes-Benz without any luck until I managed to get a duplicate of my Certificate of Conformity which they accepted so I then demanded a refund of the difference which they did pay me. What a shower of officious b'stards they are. They are not fit for purpose. Keep at them!

[@richardpaine5923]

DVLA's standard reply is a van with windows. The easiest option would be to accept DVLA's ruling, & insure the vehicle as modified. This must be accepted as insurance. I used Greenlight as they specialise in modified vehicle insurance.

[@ianwheeler7903]

They did the same to me. I followed there information to the book with regards to changing the van to a motor caravan and they came back saying that I needed to make more changes to comply, but did not state what I had to do. My campervan looks more like a campervan than some of the new ones on the market. A fire fighter commented on my video about this and said that he would want to know it was a motor caravan in an accident as it would be fairly clear that I would be carrying LPG. As a van with side windows he would not think about it. The DVLA are playing a dangerous game. My van is insured as a modified vehicle through AIB insurance as a campervan but as a van with side windows. I would not hold my breath on you getting anywhere with the DVLA decision.

[@InTheShedUK]

Yes, I had the same thoughts about the LPG. You could raise a case with the Ombudsman see www.ombudsman.org.uk/news-and-blog/news/dvlas-poor-communication-causes-confusion-campervan-owners If more people did this it would highlight the fact that DVLA are still going against the PHSO recommendations and drop them right in it!

[@ianwheeler7903]

@@InTheShedUK Hi, I may look into that.

[@paulhewitt1488]

Quite enjoying this 😊 As we get older don’t we all see that the overall bureaucracy we face on any single day seems to get bigger and bigger. The amount of people employed in the iimplementation of seemingly farcical technicalities is staggering. As you highlighted your new government may give you an opportunity to get your new MP of their bottom and propel them into assisting you into at least being able to go away on a nice holiday in your caravan. Keep up the good fight and take care 👍👍

[@InTheShedUK]

Think I have always questioned authority, my mantra is to question everything, accept nothing!

[@leoanazemi3797]

The same nonsense, I had exactly the same question, no clear answer to rejection, it’s pathetic , we did all we were asked to do and still didn’t get any joy

[@InTheShedUK]

Yep, I just can't understand why there are so many people that get rejected and DVLA's reasoning behind it all.

[@mange2]

Unfortunately after the explosion in self builds during covid, the big motorhome/campervan manufacturers have probably bought off the DVLA so the market doesn't get flooded and lower the price. I managed to get mine classified as a motor caravan back in 2019 but quite honestly its made next to no difference. The road tax is the same, the insurance is pretty much the same and I save about a tenner on the MOT. Speed limits are not a concern, Im always getting overtaken by vans doing 70. There really is very little benefit.

[@InTheShedUK]

It's more about the principle, they set the rules, we follow the rules but they then choose to ignore the rules they set in the first place! The rules changed around 2019 so you probably struck lucky. Speed limits only become a concern when the NIP drops through your letterbox. The old Gatso's are being decommissioned (a survey in 2017 revealed only about half were actually working!) and are being replaced by more discreet digital cameras.

[@SingletrackScene]

Started a while before Covid. It started initially as people were changing their vans to beat LEZ restrictions. Putting in basic furniture, enough to change the body type.. then simply removing the furniture allowing to use their vans for deliveries or other things.

[@Mr_Springy]

My mate has a van under 3.5 tonnes that he uses for camping. It doesn’t have side windows. He has just been prosecuted by Devon & Cornwall police (driver awareness course) for doing 71mph on a 70mph dual carriageway with central reservation. The basis of the offence is that it is a van NOT a motorhome or camper van. I am not sure if a van with windows would be considered differently, as when he dialled into the course (zoom meeting) all the others present were the same as him, ‘normal’ van used for camping exceeding 60mph on a dual carriageway. So if you don’t think they will prosecute you, I advise caution, as it doesn’t apply in Devon or Cornwall apparently

[@SingletrackScene]

@@Mr_Springy it does happen.

[@InTheShedUK]

@@Mr_Springy You can appeal the NIP in cases such as these, just need to provide evidence that the vehicle is being 'used' as a 'motor caravan' ie living/cooking/sleeping facilities. If the DVLA changed our V5C's as requested to 'motor caravan' in the first place it would save everyone (including the authorities) a lot of time and effort!

[@andyand100]

Any uk gov. Computer system not really up to job see post office et. Etc

[@Defender200tdi]

It's because the police can't identify self builds. It wastes their time pulling what they think is a commercial. You could make a request asking what the cost was of your original request!!

[@msmrepo3271]

Have you questioned thier authority over you? Are they using secondary legislation thats not compatible with your civil Rights, Primary Legislation.

[@jjj7665]

They told me the same and said I could not reapply. So my camper van is now classed as a van with windows, my van is fully fitted out with lift up roof with cooker fridge and toilet and double bed. But it is still classed as a van with windows.

[@InTheShedUK]

You can take it further by raising an issue with The Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO) but you do have to write to your MP first. People have done this and got a small amount of compensation. The more people do this the better as it will highlight the problem. There are some links in my other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6DcgpuBgaiKm5o

[@SingletrackScene]

Is it a high top with awning bar? If not that’s where they’ve refused.

[@InTheShedUK]

@@SingletrackScene Unfortunately pop-tops will be refused, except for, I believe 'factory built' VW Ocean with pop-top are classified as 'motor-caravan'... Double standards!

[@SingletrackScene]

@@InTheShedUK that's correct. Pop tops are only acceptable on builds that are first registered as motor caravans and not re-registered.

[@peterdunn9265]

Useless in imported a rv the hardest bit was getting it registered because they did not there own rules

[@bagofspanners72]

I thought you were ment to have two side windows on either side of the van not including the drivers or passengers door windows to meet dvla's criteria ??

[@InTheShedUK]

They also say you don't need to meet ALL the requirements. The reason they gave me for rejection was that it 'doesn't look like a motor caravan in traffic'... No mention of windows or anything else.

[@waynehartigan769]

I can’t see any awning or motorhome stickers or two windows on one side. ????

[@InTheShedUK]

Awning rail (C channel) awning is in the back, 'Camper' stickers both sides (hidden behind open sliding door), two windows (one each side). DVLA actually states that you don't even need ALL of the requirements. The reason they gave me was that it does not 'look' like a campervan in traffic, which is their stock excuse they give everyone (even those with more than two windows!). Plenty of people have approached me to ask 'can I have a look inside your camper?' so Joe public is obviously much more intelligent than the numpties at DVLA!

[@waynehartigan769]

Okay, no problem mate. Just trying to help

[@leoanazemi3797]

It’s all about the money mummy, money money

[@nicholasreason8379]

You could request a one months at a time request if refused one week at a time or even one day at a time anything to put a spanner in the works even if is one o make then answer your letter

[@cormchm2853]

Hi. Quick question... are there any online sources of info on how to go about insuring a van-with-windows / self-built van/camper-van conversion which has not been given it transfer of body-type from the gov, please? Any info appreciated on companies which offer insurance, and pitfalls etc... greatly greatly appreciated, I can tell you as I seem to be just chasing my tail on it to be honest... i am almost at the stage of just giving up on the conversion.

[@InTheShedUK]

Probably best to ring round individual insurance companies or brokers and tell them what you need. I got my insurance with Adrian Flux, I rang them and explained that I was converting a van into a camper and got insurance which they said would cover me during my conversion and once I had completed it just to ring them and let them know. They gave me no time limit on how long I had to finish my conversion!

[@cormchm2853]

@@InTheShedUK Thank you si much for your reply. The info is very interesting, as it confirms info that another person just mentioned in conversation. Lovely thanks.

[@petegillespie6978]

Dry your eyes and enjoy what you have.🙃

[@a65builder67]

HI Ian good luck and I hope they come to there sensors, Adrian.

[@johnristheanswer]

* their senses ?

[@a65builder67]

hi thank you for correcting me I HOPOE IT MADE YOU FEEL ALOT BETTER, but on the other hand just two words (what ever) good day sir.

[@johnristheanswer]

@@a65builder67 * a lot *

[@a65builder67]

good that's made my day thank you

[@dodgerboe]

The Corporation is so Corrupt they own the Van not you ... look at the Logbook , your the user and will pay for all uses fines restrictions repairs ,hence why you don't own the Title of Origin.