The DVLA (a warning to all)
The most unfortunate part of self-building is having to deal with the DVLA. My advice is to set your expectations so low that you couldn't possibly imagine being disappointed, then set them even lower. Practicing stoic philosophy might help.
It's hard to convey just how grueling interacting with the DVLA can be without ranting so I will stick to the facts:
It's hard to convey just how grueling interacting with the DVLA can be without ranting so I will stick to the facts:
- They have missed nearly every expected turnaround time (they responded to 1 out of 5 requests on time).
- I have had over 20 phone conversations with them, none of which ended in a conclusion on their own.
- While the call-centre may be open Friday afternoon and Saturday, the important departments are certainly not.
- They have never, ever emailed or phoned me over sending a physical letter despite being explicitly asked, or even suggesting it themselves. It's Royal Mail or nothing! They have suggested it 3 times to me and I have asked countless times. If you send then an email, they will send you a physical letter in the post. Even to confirm receipt.
- There is no worthwhile complaints procedure. Complaining just means you must deal with them more.
- Their internal systems are slow, often you will receive a physical letter in the post before the call handlers know the task has been started.
- The organisation is a faceless, unaccountable, bureaucratic nightmare fraught with inconsistent 'policy' documents staffed by underpaid, under-trained, call-handlers who have been stripped of any power to help you even if they wanted to by their cretinous middle-managers so incompetent that you're almost forced to conclude that they must be malicious.
V5c to road legal
I've put together a flowchart to try to help others understand the process of getting their build legal. There are some decisions that need to be made and some things outside of your control. There are three main routes (coloured accordingly) and more detailed descriptions below.
At this point I'd like to mention that details on these routes and more are discussed in Steve Wigglesworth's book and on forums such as TheOverlander.
At this point I'd like to mention that details on these routes and more are discussed in Steve Wigglesworth's book and on forums such as TheOverlander.
The Green Route (HGV all the way)
This is the least risk route when it comes to dealing with bureaucracies but the downsides are that you must comply with HGV rules and regulations, which are more strict than ones for cars/motorcaravans.
Insurance
Adrian Flux will insure a vehicle under their camper/motorcaravan classification regardless of the body type listed on the V5c. You can insure a "box van" as a camper with Adrian Flux.
MOT
Through this route, the vehicle requires an HGV MOT. Lead times for these can be longer (6 weeks in my area as of summer 2018) and they have additional requirements. Ideally you will wait with your vehicle and stress the following pointsl
TAX
According to several call operators at the DVLA, you need an MOT certificate before you can change the tax class of a vehicle. This means once you have an MOT, you need to send the following documents to the DVLA and wait for confirmation before driving it:
Insurance
Adrian Flux will insure a vehicle under their camper/motorcaravan classification regardless of the body type listed on the V5c. You can insure a "box van" as a camper with Adrian Flux.
MOT
Through this route, the vehicle requires an HGV MOT. Lead times for these can be longer (6 weeks in my area as of summer 2018) and they have additional requirements. Ideally you will wait with your vehicle and stress the following pointsl
- Fill in a Tachograph Exemption form stating reason 30 (you'll change tax class later)
- Fill in a Speed Limiter Exemption form stating reason B and bring the "Purpose and Planning" document found here, maximum speed on page 5 (credit to Andy (sparks101) on theOverlander forum for uploading them)
- Bring the latest IVA HGV manual, especially the rear-underrun exemptions list and the definition of off-road vehicle at the end. You might need to show this to the inspector as it's not listed in the MOT inspection handbook as an exception but the IVA guidelines trump the MOT ones.
- You will need to fit side guards to the vehicle to get a pass (I'll share my design that got a pass later)
TAX
According to several call operators at the DVLA, you need an MOT certificate before you can change the tax class of a vehicle. This means once you have an MOT, you need to send the following documents to the DVLA and wait for confirmation before driving it:
- Cover letter explaining you will never carry goods and want to change the tax class from "HGV" to "Private HGV"
- The V5c with request to change the tax class filled in (and signed)
- A completed form V85
- Your MOT certificate
- Cheque or Postal Orders to the amount of tax required in V149/1 tax class 10 (under special vehicles)
The Orange Route (HGV first then motorcaravan)
This route involves changing the "body type" on the V5c to "motorcaravan" from whatever HGC classification it was (flatbed, box van etc). Essentially this means converting the vehicle to a camper, submitting an application and pictures to the DVLA and them approving your application, however:
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE DVLA WILL APPROVE YOUR CONVERSION
In our case, they rejected our application, our appeal, and our escalated appeal. A process that took months as well as an emotional toll and we resorted to go through the green route first. For the sake of a couple of side bars, I would go through the green route first if I had to do it again. At least it would be road legal. There is nothing to stop you from doing this legally, just make sure your insurer is aware of the state of your vehicle.
That said, what are the requirements you need to meet?
On their helpful website, the DVLA list the following criteria:
Criteria 1-7 are easy to meet as you will likely be doing all of them anyway. It's criteria 8 that we were rejected on (note that it is listed above the requirements, not in line like I have shown). Here's the kicker: The DVLA have no guidance, documents, process, or even willingness to engage in a discussion about what a "motor home" looks like. It is a purely subjective assessment by an underpaid case handler with (most likely) no interest in, or knowledge of, overland campers. If you don't believe me ring them and ask. I have spent hours trying to get to the bottom of it with no success. Despite significant help and support from Steve Wigglesworth, author of 'the book' on the subject, I was forced to go down the green route.
For the above reason I would stress that if you are going down the orange route, make your camper look as much like a motorcaravan as possible before making the application. Don't jump the gun. That said it seems that some people are lucky. I know of a case where two nearly identical converted T244's were submitted at the same time. One received "motor caravan" status, the other "special van" (HGV).
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE DVLA WILL APPROVE YOUR CONVERSION
In our case, they rejected our application, our appeal, and our escalated appeal. A process that took months as well as an emotional toll and we resorted to go through the green route first. For the sake of a couple of side bars, I would go through the green route first if I had to do it again. At least it would be road legal. There is nothing to stop you from doing this legally, just make sure your insurer is aware of the state of your vehicle.
That said, what are the requirements you need to meet?
On their helpful website, the DVLA list the following criteria:
- A door that provides access to the living accommodation.
- A bed, which has a minimum length of 1800mm or 6 feet. This can be converted from seats used for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle.
- A water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle
- A seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle. The table may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It is not good enough to have a loose table
- A permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe
- A permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity
- At least one window on the side of the accommodation
- The body type will not be changed unless the exterior of the vehicle actually appears to be a motor home.
Criteria 1-7 are easy to meet as you will likely be doing all of them anyway. It's criteria 8 that we were rejected on (note that it is listed above the requirements, not in line like I have shown). Here's the kicker: The DVLA have no guidance, documents, process, or even willingness to engage in a discussion about what a "motor home" looks like. It is a purely subjective assessment by an underpaid case handler with (most likely) no interest in, or knowledge of, overland campers. If you don't believe me ring them and ask. I have spent hours trying to get to the bottom of it with no success. Despite significant help and support from Steve Wigglesworth, author of 'the book' on the subject, I was forced to go down the green route.
For the above reason I would stress that if you are going down the orange route, make your camper look as much like a motorcaravan as possible before making the application. Don't jump the gun. That said it seems that some people are lucky. I know of a case where two nearly identical converted T244's were submitted at the same time. One received "motor caravan" status, the other "special van" (HGV).
The Red Route
Possibly the most bureaucratic route and by far the most difficult. This involves trying to register the vehicle as a motorcaravan first. For this to be granted you'll need to meet all the IVA criteria and go through an IVA assessment. The IVA regulations are thorough, strict, and lengthy. Brian Reynolds on theOverlander forum went through this process and I'm not sure he would recommend it.
I haven't experienced this process so I won't write about it.
I haven't experienced this process so I won't write about it.