One important point to remember is that a converted van is no longer a van – it is a motor caravan, to use the official DVLA categorisation.
This means two things:
- You should register the change of body type with the DVLA – for example, from ‘Panel Van’ to ‘Motor Caravan’
- You should be insured as a motorhome – if only because the value of your conversion will be lost if your insurance will only pay out for the base vehicle.
DVLA
When I converted my first van to a campervan, the DVLA advised me to do the following:
- Send my V5C back to them with the required changes indicated (e.g. body type changed from ‘panel van’ to ‘motor caravan’
- Include a cover letter explaining the request and listing the main features of the conversion (e.g. permanent bed, table, sink, cupboards, windows, etc)
- Include some photos of the conversion – I just printed out some digital photos
I did all of this and received a new V5C back through the post a couple of weeks later.
I was told that there was a possibility my local DVLA office would want to inspect the vehicle before approving the change in body type, but that this might not be necessary. In my case they didn’t require an inspection – but I don’t know how they decide which vehicles to inspect.
It’s hard to pin down the DVLA on exactly what constitutes an acceptable conversion, but the main thing is to remember that it must be permanently fixed into place – not removable so that your vehicle can go back to being a van.
The Department for Transport website has a definition of a motor caravan (for import purposes) here – I think this is similar to what the DVLA look for, but I don’t know if it is cast in stone.
Another advantage of registering your van as a motor caravan is that your speed limits go up – click here for details of UK speed limits as they apply to motorhomes. These are higher than van speed limits.
Here’s the final result – “Body Type: Motor Caravan” on a V5C:
Insurance
To learn more about insurance for DIY conversions, visit our Self-Build Motorhome Insurance page.
While there are lots of insurers who insure professionally-converted motorhomes, there are not many insurance companies who will insure self-build, or DIY, conversions.
Insurance Choice insure both professional and self-build (DIY) conversions:
Other insurance companies that also offer cover for self-build conversions include:
- Shield Total Insurance
- Adrian Flux
- Caravan Wise
Shield Total Insurance and Adrian Flux will insure your base vehicle when the conversion is in progress and then insure it as a motorhome once the conversion is complete. You will need to provide them with photos and receipts to prove you have converted it, however.
Caravan Wise will only insure finished DIY conversions.
Next: Suppliers and other useful contact details
Back to the Conversion Guide Index
Disclaimer: All material is provided for information purposes and is my opinion only. I can take no responsibility for the accuracy, suitability, reliability or safety of the information in this guide.
