OllieCollieCali
VIP Member
Hi All,
Sorry fairly new here, and recently purchased my T5 California about 2 months ago so finding the club extremely useful to learn about the van and find out bits. Loving the van, and already enjoyed a few trips away in it.
I know most of you have all got "original" California's factory made as such, but mine originated as a 9 seater people carrier, and was converted professionally to the full California (assuming ocean?) by the previous owners some years ago. Currently classed as a "Van with windows"
Unfortunately they never got around to converting it to a "Motorhome" classification with the DVLA, so I have been in the process of trying to do this now, which I was told is a simple process of sending DVLA pictures of the interior and exterior as a camper van including all their specified requirements such as inside table, bed, cupboards etc. Completing their checklist and sending it off. Being the california, it easily meets all of the requirements they stated.
I wouldn't worry about converting it usually, but the road tax is currently £585 per year! and if registered as a campervan it is considerably less - more like £300.
I sent everything off, but after a month or so, I have had the log book sent back saying the application has been rejected! because it doesnt look like a motorhome from the outside!? These are the guidelines for the exterior features they look for -
Motor caravan external permanent features
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:
· 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation - I have 5 x extra windows all the way around
· a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body - sliding door on drivers side
· motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
· an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle - Fitted to drivers side
· a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)
DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
I have emailed DVLA to explain I have most of the features listed, and asked them what they class as "Motor caravan style graphics"??? as that seems to be the only thing really it is missing, but they wont explain to me what I need to do to make it look more like a motorhome from the outside. I even sent links to 6/7 california's on auto trader that look identical (except colour and age) to ask why mine would be different.
I have attached their email response below if anyone is interested. All they are saying is it needs to look more like a motorhome from the outside, but wont say how.
So.... I was wondering if anyone has had similar? or can suggest ways to make it look more like a motorhome? It is literally only to take a picture and send it to them, then no one will ever see / question it again. I dont mind putting graphics / stickers on if need be even if it is just temporarily, but not sure what motor caravan style would be? I plan to fit a bike rack when I find one, although not sure that will count.
As you know you can easily see the cupboards through the windows from the outside (although admit you cant easily in the attached pics due to lighting), its got the electric and water outlets on the side, and the awning bar, and everyone I have asked has all said you can tell its a camper van.
Thanks a lot!!
Graeme
DVLA REPLY
Thank you for your reply to my letter, unfortunately I am not in a position to give you advice about what action you need to take to have the change of body type accepted. The list on the DVLA website is only meant for general guidance and there is no guarantee that the change will be accepted even if it has all the items listed.
Each application goes before a panel who decide if the vehicle meets the criteria for a change of body type.
The body type information held on the DVLA’s records must describe what a vehicle actually looks like in traffic. If the exterior of the vehicle does not look like a motor home, we will be unable to change the body type. However, vehicle keepers are still able to use the vehicle as a motor home provided any alterations made do not compromise the vehicle’s safety.
While the policy relating to the allocation of body types has not changed, following customer feedback we have reviewed the information provided on GOV.UK so that customers have greater clarity about the information they need and the actions they need to take when converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.
The DVLA receives many requests to change a vehicle’s body type to a motor caravan and these vehicles range in different shapes, sizes, and have various distinguishing features so we are unable to provide an exhaustive list of what we would expect to see on an application. However, we have provided guidance on GOV.UK to assist customers.
Vehicles that have been modified to be used as a motor caravan by only changing the interior of the vehicle will not qualify for a body type change on this basis alone.
You include a list of similar vehicles that have bee accepted as motor home caravans. It is possible that these were the result of applications that were made before our current rules were in force.
I am unable to comment on individual cases but it is ultimately the responsibility of the dealer/converter to ensure they allocate the correct body type when they apply for the first registration of a vehicle. The DVLA has a legal obligation to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vehicle register so if any particulars shown on the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) are incorrect, the keeper should return this to the DVLA for amendment.
Sorry fairly new here, and recently purchased my T5 California about 2 months ago so finding the club extremely useful to learn about the van and find out bits. Loving the van, and already enjoyed a few trips away in it.
I know most of you have all got "original" California's factory made as such, but mine originated as a 9 seater people carrier, and was converted professionally to the full California (assuming ocean?) by the previous owners some years ago. Currently classed as a "Van with windows"
Unfortunately they never got around to converting it to a "Motorhome" classification with the DVLA, so I have been in the process of trying to do this now, which I was told is a simple process of sending DVLA pictures of the interior and exterior as a camper van including all their specified requirements such as inside table, bed, cupboards etc. Completing their checklist and sending it off. Being the california, it easily meets all of the requirements they stated.
I wouldn't worry about converting it usually, but the road tax is currently £585 per year! and if registered as a campervan it is considerably less - more like £300.
I sent everything off, but after a month or so, I have had the log book sent back saying the application has been rejected! because it doesnt look like a motorhome from the outside!? These are the guidelines for the exterior features they look for -
Motor caravan external permanent features
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:
· 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation - I have 5 x extra windows all the way around
· a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body - sliding door on drivers side
· motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
· an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle - Fitted to drivers side
· a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)
DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
I have emailed DVLA to explain I have most of the features listed, and asked them what they class as "Motor caravan style graphics"??? as that seems to be the only thing really it is missing, but they wont explain to me what I need to do to make it look more like a motorhome from the outside. I even sent links to 6/7 california's on auto trader that look identical (except colour and age) to ask why mine would be different.
I have attached their email response below if anyone is interested. All they are saying is it needs to look more like a motorhome from the outside, but wont say how.
So.... I was wondering if anyone has had similar? or can suggest ways to make it look more like a motorhome? It is literally only to take a picture and send it to them, then no one will ever see / question it again. I dont mind putting graphics / stickers on if need be even if it is just temporarily, but not sure what motor caravan style would be? I plan to fit a bike rack when I find one, although not sure that will count.
As you know you can easily see the cupboards through the windows from the outside (although admit you cant easily in the attached pics due to lighting), its got the electric and water outlets on the side, and the awning bar, and everyone I have asked has all said you can tell its a camper van.
Thanks a lot!!
Graeme
DVLA REPLY
Thank you for your reply to my letter, unfortunately I am not in a position to give you advice about what action you need to take to have the change of body type accepted. The list on the DVLA website is only meant for general guidance and there is no guarantee that the change will be accepted even if it has all the items listed.
Each application goes before a panel who decide if the vehicle meets the criteria for a change of body type.
The body type information held on the DVLA’s records must describe what a vehicle actually looks like in traffic. If the exterior of the vehicle does not look like a motor home, we will be unable to change the body type. However, vehicle keepers are still able to use the vehicle as a motor home provided any alterations made do not compromise the vehicle’s safety.
While the policy relating to the allocation of body types has not changed, following customer feedback we have reviewed the information provided on GOV.UK so that customers have greater clarity about the information they need and the actions they need to take when converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.
The DVLA receives many requests to change a vehicle’s body type to a motor caravan and these vehicles range in different shapes, sizes, and have various distinguishing features so we are unable to provide an exhaustive list of what we would expect to see on an application. However, we have provided guidance on GOV.UK to assist customers.
Vehicles that have been modified to be used as a motor caravan by only changing the interior of the vehicle will not qualify for a body type change on this basis alone.
You include a list of similar vehicles that have bee accepted as motor home caravans. It is possible that these were the result of applications that were made before our current rules were in force.
I am unable to comment on individual cases but it is ultimately the responsibility of the dealer/converter to ensure they allocate the correct body type when they apply for the first registration of a vehicle. The DVLA has a legal obligation to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vehicle register so if any particulars shown on the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) are incorrect, the keeper should return this to the DVLA for amendment.
) so they can produce safe road vehicles. 
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