Campervan Registration - DVLA prejudiced against home builders? Ombudsman ruling ignored by DVLA! 

Thanks for all the interesting comments, keep them coming! Most involve adding extra graphics, windows or other external features but I don't think this is the problem. Again I refer to the Ombudsman report in the description, seems like it does not matter what you change/add they will still refuse most self built applications. The DVLA are still going against the recommendations made in this report. There is no mention in the rejection reply from DVLA that I do not have the required external 'features' on my campervan. The reason given is that 'Unfortunately, it is difficult to significantly change the external appearance of vehicles such as your vehicle, that were originally constructed as a panel van.' So they are saying the original BASE vehicle (Fiat Ducato) or any other 'panel van' cannot be changed to a 'motor caravan'. This would be fair enough if it was stated in their 'requirements' and the fact that they allow 'professional' builders to use the EXACT same BASE vehicle (which look not dissimilar after conversion to my 'self built' van) to be changed to body type 'motor caravan'. This smacks of double standards! Type Approval Regulations 1979 reg.2 this states:- "motor caravan" means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users; No mention of windows/graphics/awning bar I found an interesting post nohma.com/van-life/reclassifying-your-campervan-dvla/ A freedom of information request to DVLA revealed some interesting facts concerning the number of unsuccessful applications from Aug 2019 to Dec 2020. Total number of applications 14,942 Applications accepted 806 Applications rejected 14,136 That is about a 5% success rate! This only goes to prove the common belief that the DVLA are routinely rejected the majority of applications, I want to know why? I have made my own FOI to get more recent information, watch this space!

this is all about making it mre harder for people to live outside the system.

It's about time the DVLA are challenged on this as you say if the public can clearly see its a campervan that means that the police are so incomplete that they can't tell its a campervan then maybe they shouldn't be in the job.

I feel that you are ignoring the requirement for two windows on at least one side of the van which clearly states that it doesn’t include the driver or passenger door window as stated on the tick box. check list doesn’t seem optional to me.Most people install a smaller window above the bed. More graphics required if you want it to be a motor caravan then you shouldn’t worry that it looks like one.

Just before the election was called Mark Harper (out going Minister) started a review of how DVLA deals with such issues, obviously not going to happen now.

Despite the commercially built vehicle having only one window per side, the instruction could be interpreted that you need two windows on one or both sides.

not to put a damper on your statement about taxation class I did a home build pre 2019 and had no issues at all but noted even after change to motor caravan it still maintains N1 taxation class hence speed restriction still applies. I did not have any graphics on vehicle but did have 2 windows on passenger side and one on drivers side most! of the so called professional conversions do have 2 windows on passenger side I seem to recall when these rules came in convertors were up in arms about outside appearence but awning rail is still an extra when buying from new.

Just one small comment. I belive their wording on the number of windows is open to a different interpretation to yours. I suggest it may mean you need two windows on one side of the van only. As you have mentioned the Wildax Solaris, if you go to their website and look at the new Solaris it has a large and a small window on the passenger side of the vehicle. I also concur with the other poster regardind additional vents and graphics. Not knowing how much the DVLA re-register costs, i wonder if there is any value in sticking some vents and a false window on the outside, adding a bunch of graphics, taking a few photos and then resubmitting the change from the DVLA. If you get the right result you could just remove them. It also wouldn't hurt to email the DVLA to request a copy of their response to the Ombudsman's outcome.

I just ignore them. My van is a stealth build and registering it as a campervan defeats the object.

Always a trying time, dealing with that department.

Ian, Sorry to hear about the hassle you're having with the DVLA. I did wonder why you hadn't done any more videos on the van. Tactically it might be useful to demonstrate to the Ombudsman that you have taken the DVLA's responses seriously and consider how better to meet their guidance on the V1006 (?) form. Although the DVLA's responses are vague I do expect it hinges on the external appearance rather than any of the internal facilities and equipment. Specifically, I wonder whether more explicit camper van "looks" might be useful. The image you posted up of the commerically converted Fiat Ducato did have a few other things externally that made it look more like a camper van. There were larger graphics, fancy wheel trims and a few grilles (presumably for ventilation). The cost of some larger graphics would be minimal, as would wheel trims and the grilles could simply be stuck on to mirror the image of the other Ducato. You could even offer this to the DVLA as a second application as they stated they would consider any further information / changes. I realise you're probably sick to your back teeth with them but sometimes swallowing your pride can work. It would also help the Ombudsman agree with your original stance and the fact you listened to DLVA's advice. Good luck. Andy.

Your van needs 2 windows on at least one side not including the drivers or passengers door windows.

Mine is a Vintage Ambulance, I DO NOT want awning bars nor stupid fern and compass crap vinyl graphics on the side of the ambulance . I want to retain its original features (minus blue lights) what the hell difference does it make what I have in it and how its fixed (except gas bottles , ) which is fair enough. I might NOT want a permenant bed, I might like a hammock ! ! ! . They are going beyond their remit on vinyl graphics , logos and designs of the externals . Total overreach IMO . Not like you are asking them to register it as a motorcycle !

Typical UK BS