DVLA REGULATION FOR SELF BUILD CAMPER CONVERSIONS

[dingdangdo]

just thought I'd put up a post on the rules and reg's for self build campers, following these will go a long way to getting you conversion classed as a camper

DVLA and possible Insurance requirements for Self Build Motor Caravans

The following permanent fixtures and fittings are required.

1: Sleeping accommodation, A bed with a minimum length of 6ft or 180cms and has to be an Integral part of vehicle living area, Either beds or beds converted from seats but have to be fitted with the base structures bolted, riveted, screwed or welded to the vehicle floor and/or side wall, unless it's over drivers cab compartment

2: There must be a horizontal sliding side door or an outward opening rear/side door. for emergence exit purpose's

3: Seats and table, has to have seating area for diners to sit round a detachable or fixed table.must be an integral part of vehicle living area, the Table must be capable of being mounted directly to the vehicle floor or side wall and must be bolted, riveted, screwed or welded, the table can be detachable so to be stored away while moving, the seats go by the same rules as the beds( though most of us have the seats that convert to beds)

4: there must be a permanent installation to house a water container.


5: Storage facilities, Wardrobes or Cupboards.
the cupboards / lockers must be an integral part of vehicle living area mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below seat/sleeping areas or the cooker, and must be bolted, riveted, screwed or welded to the vehicle floor and/or side wall

6: Cooking facilities, Fixed gas or electric hob or microwave.
again must be an integral part of vehicle living area and Secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall again with bolts, rivets, screws or welded, the cooker must be a Minimum of two ring cooker or microwave equipped in either case with fuel / power source
If your gas has a remote fuel supply, the fuel supply pipe must permanently secured to vehicle structure, and is advise that you fit a dump hole to allow leaked gases out

7: At least one side window, but again, most of us have windows in the back

please please please don't forget to fit smoke & co2 alarms, and have fire blankets and at least 1 extinguisher

[camperconvert]

the problem i have with this is if the DVLA accept the change of vehicle details to "motor carvan" without some of these "requirements", eg not having a table, then why do these insurance companies say say they will cancell the policy if they are not fitted???

[dingdangdo]

the problem i have with this is if the DVLA accept the change of vehicle details to "motor carvan" without some of these "requirements", eg not having a table, then why do these insurance companies say say they will cancell the policy if they are not fitted???

I think it to stop everybody claiming that their car is a camper to try and lower their insurance, way to get round it is fit a table, get it seen but the dvla, get the log book change, then "store" the table in a cupboard

[Nadjenka]

I don't want to be a pain, but I've just spoken to Adrian Flux and they gave me a quotation from different insurer, it's not directly theirs policy After some hastle they quoted me for self built motorhome, fully comp., up to 8000 miles a year no commuting, just leasure and stuff, breakdown cover (EU for up to 60 days) and the sum they came up with was astronomical, even more than my current insurance (obviously, currently I have it insured as bus for 9 people, fully comp., including commuting to work and breakdown cover) and they said there is no limit to convert it onto campervan (as of days). Hmmmm... I'm confused...

[callum]

my quote from adrian flux was over £1000 which i found unbelieveable to be honest but i am 22 and been a named driver only (so no no-claims) since i've been driving!! in fairness though a lot of insurers simply won't insure an under 25. and i thought camper insurance was meant to be cheaper!!!

[dingdangdo]

I don't want to be a pain, but I've just spoken to Adrian Flux and they gave me a quotation from different insurer, it's not directly theirs policy After some hastle they quoted me for self built motorhome, fully comp., up to 8000 miles a year no commuting, just leasure and stuff, breakdown cover (EU for up to 60 days) and the sum they came up with was astronomical, even more than my current insurance (obviously, currently I have it insured as bus for 9 people, fully comp., including commuting to work and breakdown cover) and they said there is no limit to convert it onto campervan (as of days). Hmmmm... I'm confused...

now I'm confused.com , are they classing it as a modified van by any chance?

[Nadjenka]

now I'm confused.com , are they classing it as a modified van by any chance?

Yeah, that's what I was tbh. They were putting me thru several lines and then they connected me back to Adrian Flux essentially, but the bloke on the phone told me that the quote for motorhomes is from some other company, not from them as they don't do motorhomes and self builds at all... Maybe it's just me, I always overpay for everything... I haven't rung the other insurer you are mentioning, but I will do tomorrow. Adrian Flux had me on the phone for 40 minutes so I didn't have time nor energy to call another one after that. I'm on pay as you go insurance right now as I wrote earlier and it comes de facto cheaper, as I can park the van up for a month or two in the winter and not pay the insurance for that time. I was hoping, that motorhome insurance will be significantly cheaper and I can have it insured for whole year, but it looks like it's no longer true... Maybe after I change it to motorhome with DVLA Will let you know...