Adding two more seats.

LincsTiger · Apr 12, 2024

Hi all, we are waiting to pick up our first (new to us) 2017 Cali Beach. It has the 3 seat bench in the back and four floor rails. I am looking to buy two additional seats to use on the occasions when its used as a'Grandad taxi'.
The V5 currently states it has 5 seats.
I have two questions if anyone can enlighten me - is it just a case of updating the 5 seats to 7 seats via the V5?, and does it change the amount of road tax I will be paying?
Obviously I will notifing the insurance company.
many thanks

WelshGas · Apr 12, 2024

LincsTiger said:
Hi all, we are waiting to pick up our first (new to us) 2017 Cali Beach. It has the 3 seat bench in the back and four floor rails. I am looking to buy two additional seats to use on the occasions when its used as a'Grandad taxi'.
The V5 currently states it has 5 seats.
I have two questions if anyone can enlighten me - is it just a case of updating the 5 seats to 7 seats via the V5?, and does it change the amount of road tax I will be paying?
Obviously I will notifing the insurance company.
many thanks

Just complete the changes section on your V5c. The Beach is rated for a maximum 7 seats. No charge by DVLA for the change. No increase in Road Tax. Insurance could increase but probably not.

LincsTiger · Apr 12, 2024

WelshGas said:
Just complete the changes section on your V5c. The Beach is rated for a maximum 7 seats. No charge by DVLA for the change. No increase in Road Tax. Insurance could increase but probably not.

Thankyou WelshGas, I'll report back with how I get on over next couple of weeks.

atex949 · Jun 11, 2024

Hi there, do you have any update on v5 as I am looking to do the same. Also did insurance company have anything to say about the mods and price? Who is your insurer? Thanks

Camperfamily · Jun 19, 2024

@LincsTiger how did you get on with changing the number of seats on v5?

LincsTiger · Jun 20, 2024

@atex949 @Camperfamily a couple of weeks after purchasing the beach I received the V5c in my name, I completed the changes section and sent it back in, it all went smoothly with no problems or costs, and I received the amended V5c back within about ten days. (thankyou @WelshGas exactly as you said)
As for the insurance,
I was becoming confused and dismayed after ringing several insurance companies who didnt even know what a California, Beach or Coast was - I was begining to wonder how owners actually got insurance on Calis!
I eventually rang Howdens and found them to be the knowledgable and most helpful, they actually knew what a California Beach was!. I explained about the seating and my intention to add two more to the 3+2, they said it was not a problem as far as they were concerned the Beach can have up to seven in total. It is not classed as a modification as it is factory built to accomodate seven.
Hope this helps