Adding two more seats.

[LincsTiger]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[LincsTiger]

@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

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The V5 for my T6 Beach came with seven on it from new, do you have the two extra seats?

 

[gogavin]

Hi have bought the seats yet? I’m just buying a t6 beach and will have two seats forsale.

 

[Scarlett]

Hello, I found this thread very thought provoking. I have 5 seats listed on my V5C but have an additional 6th seat with occasional use. I contacted the DVLA, explained the modular nature of the vehicle and a couple of use cases. The contact at the DVLA thought it was a good question and conferred with the team. They quickly got back to me with the response that it is only permanent seats that need to be recorded on the V5C. So my understanding is that if you are only using the extra seats for occasional use, the V5C would not need updating.

I know this is an old thread and won’t be useful to the specific use case here. But thought it might be useful for people searching for answers in the future.

 

[WelshGas]

Hello, I found this thread very thought provoking. I have 5 seats listed on my V5C but have an additional 6th seat with occasional use. I contacted the DVLA, explained the modular nature of the vehicle and a couple of use cases. The contact at the DVLA thought it was a good question and conferred with the team. They quickly got back to me with the response that it is only permanent seats that need to be recorded on the V5C. So my understanding is that if you are only using the extra seats for occasional use, the V5C would not need updating.

I know this is an old thread and won’t be useful to the specific use case here. But thought it might be useful for people searching for answers in the future.

I doubt if your Vehicle Insurance would agree.
You would have to tell them of the extra seating capacity or they could void your insurance and they may insist on the V5c being updated. Its free to do and together with informing your insurance you would be fully covered.
Also, the Police may not take the same view as your DVLA contact. Overloaded vehicle - Court. Why tempt fate?

 

[Scarlett]

I doubt if your Vehicle Insurance would agree.
You would have to tell them of the extra seating capacity or they could void your insurance and they may insist on the V5c being updated. Its free to do and together with informing your insurance you would be fully covered.
Also, the Police may not take the same view as your DVLA contact. Overloaded vehicle - Court. Why tempt fate?

So my issue with this theory that the police and the insurance would be looking to “get“ you on a technicality is that, if that is the case, then if I am driving a registered 6 seater that only has 5 seats installed at the time of an accident (and that argument applies), the insurance can still dispute my claim. And given that I am driving as a five seater most of the time, I am better protected from the issue you describe if I don’t change the V5C. I also have the DVLA advising me not to change. And my insurance policy doesn’t specify number of seats.

Like I say, not applicable to the use case on this thread. But maybe be useful to others in the future depending on their circumstances.

 

[WelshGas]

So my issue with this theory that the police and the insurance would be looking to “get“ you on a technicality is that, if that is the case, then if I am driving a registered 6 seater that only has 5 seats installed at the time of an accident (and that argument applies), the insurance can still dispute my claim. And given that I am driving as a five seater most of the time, I am better protected from the issue you describe if I don’t change the V5C. I also have the DVLA advising me not to change. And my insurance policy doesn’t specify number of seats.

Like I say, not applicable to the use case on this thread. But maybe be useful to others in the future depending on their circumstances.

It’s not the number of seats it’s passengers being carried legally.
In your case your insurance will be based on your V5c and your Insurance will factor in 6 passengers. Doesn’t matter if you have 1 or 6 passengers.
In the above case the V5c states 5 seats. So the Insurance will factor in upto 5 passengers. They should be informed if carrying more and would probably insist on the V5c being amended as it is the DVLA who will decide if the vehicle is capable of carrying the extra seat/passenger as they have access to the relevant information from the manufacturer and certification authorities.

 

[Matt Shearlock]

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

Hi, if anyone reading this would like to buy an extra single seat, please get in touch. Thanks, Matt (based near Watford)

 

[Beaker]

Be mindful of your maximum gross weight with 7 people.