Buying and Insuring a Converted 1995 Volvo Coach (1 Viewer)

[G0HWC]

Hi all.
I've just joined and looking at buying a 1995 volvo coach. It's been partly converted but very poorly.
Looking into place to insure etc.
I found the group when googleing best way to tax and get log book to show as mobile home / motor home.
I'm still very confused over it all.
I would be looking to live it it full time and renting out my current home.
I guess I will need some land to keep it parked while living in winter
What's situation with parking coaches over night to live on board?

Guess this will be a steep learning curve

Paul
Clacton on Sea, Essex UK

 

[David and Sally]

 

[Terry]

Try AIB for insurance. They may insure you as you convert it . With it being a bus and wanting full time may cause problems

 

[Jo662]

 

[JockandRita]

What's situation with parking coaches over night to live on board?

On the public highway, probably no different to trucks parking up for the night, as long as it appears to be safe. I'm sure the Truckers forums will list safe and unsafe overnight stops.
Re UK campsites, I don't think there are many which would accept your unit TBH. Abroad though, the larger Aires and Stellplatz wouldn't be a problem at all, but most campsite would be, again due to your length, as often the pitches are 8 x metres, and segregated by small hedges or wooden frames.

Good luck with the conversion and

Cheers,

Jock.

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[pappajohn]

Don't even try to get it changed from coach to motor-caravan.
It will never happen.
DVLA now want conversions to look like official factory built motorhomes.
I assume you have a category D (coach) on your licence.
Without it you can't drive it until it is re-designated.

 

[G0HWC]

Don't even try to get it changed from coach to motor-caravan.
It will never happen.
DVLA now want conversions to look like official factory built motorhomes.
I assume you have a category D (coach) on your licence.
Without it you can't drive it until it is re-designated.

Yes I have a hgv licence

 

[Spriddler]

You'll find the thread below useful. It also has links to two other relevant threads on Fun.

Hello! :) Bus to Motorhome Conversion??

Hey there! I am a bus driver and one of my mates who I work with have been offered a 2006 10.7m Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 for a few hundred quid! We are exploring the possibility of converting to to a Motorhome. We haven't yet bought the vehicle, this idea is still early days, but I'm...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[scotjimland]

Try NFU for insurance

As said, forget about the DVLA ever classifying as a Motor Caravan ..wont happen \

We lived in a 36 ft USRV for 3 years and found the easiest places in the UK for camping were CLs ..but you are limited to 28days.. these ar 5 van sites run by several clubs such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club

Other places can be found, if you know any farmers they may let you park over winter in a yard

Provided you are parked legally, and there no prohibition signs about sleeping overnight.. ie Lay-bys etc .. also maybe some coach parks..

I dont know what your paying for the coach or what your budget is for kitting it out .. done well it is not a cheap exercise.. .. it may be better and cheaper looking for a second hand USRV that is all kitted out and classed as a Motor Caravan .. older ones go very cheap . Having your HGV gives you a big selection to choose form

other benefits , provided that have space , most camp sites will allow a USRV .. and insurance is easier and probably cheaper.. all round a much more practical vehicle

just an example.. plenty more out there

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www.ebay.co.uk

 

[JockandRita]

Yes I have a hgv licence

Paul, I am happy to be corrected, but it is my understanding that until it has bee re designated, you cannot drive a Category D (PSV), on a C (HGV) licence. You could years ago on a B+E car licence without taking a PSV Test, providing the vehicle wasn't used for hire or reward, but that was withdrawn.
What does it say on the current V5, re classification/designation?

Cheers,

Jock.

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[G0HWC]

Paul, I am happy to be corrected, but it is my understanding that until it has bee re designated, you cannot drive a Category D (PSV), on a C (HGV) licence. You could years ago on a B+E car licence without taking a PSV Test, providing the vehicle wasn't used for hire or reward, but that was withdrawn.
What does it say on the current V5, re classification/designation?

Cheers,

Jock.

It's already converted and only has 6 seats. It has been passed mot group 4.
Was last driven under C licence.
Not sure on logbook but will soon find out

 

[pappajohn]

Yes I have a hgv licence

Heavy goods doesn't qualify for a bus/coach.
HGV is group C as your aware, but Bus/coach is group D.

 

[Jev88]

Many camp sites have a few bigger pitches or overhangs over grass. We are 9.7M but a huge overhang, unlike a coach/bus.
Camp sites don't advertise that they can accept longer vehicles (even if they can) just in case 6 turn up and they only have 4 spaces - see what I mean? When booking an official site I always say 8M or whatever their max is and then a quick phone call to check if we can actually be accommodated.

 

[JockandRita]

It's already converted and only has 6 seats. It has been passed mot group 4.
Was last driven under C licence.
Not sure on logbook but will soon find out

Excellent Paul.

Heavy goods doesn't qualify for a bus/coach.
HGV is group C as your aware, but Bus/coach is group D.

See the OP's post above yours John.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[pappajohn]

See the OP's post above yours John.

If it has been reclassified then yes, group C.
If not it's still a group D

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[G0HWC]

Excellent Paul.


See the OP's post above yours John.

Cheers,

Jock.

Paul, I am happy to be corrected, but it is my understanding that until it has bee re designated, you cannot drive a Category D (PSV), on a C (HGV) licence. You could years ago on a B+E car licence without taking a PSV Test, providing the vehicle wasn't used for hire or reward, but that was withdrawn.
What does it say on the current V5, re classification/designation?

Cheers,

Jock.

I now have logbook
It's still registered as bus coach
But only has 6 seats and rest is living accommodation etc.
Last mot was also a class 4

 

[pappajohn]

It also shows it has 50 seats.
Unfortunately DVLA still see it as a coach so you aren't licenced to drive it and technically it hasn't an MOT.

 

[G0HWC]

It also shows it has 50 seats.
Unfortunately DVLA still see it as a coach so you aren't licenced to drive it and technically it hasn't an MOT.

So if I change v5 to show the 6 seats it has and leave rest it will be OK to drive under my hgv licence

 

[tacr2man]

I would suggest that along with change to seat numbers you try and change the vehicle tax class to PHGV .
There is a section on gov uk site but it doesn't cover what you need to do . So ring DVLA and explain what you need to change and ask what body type eg van with windows you can use as you cant try to have motorcaravan from bus . Good Luck Its a chicken or egg situation .

 

[JockandRita]

So if I change v5 to show the 6 seats it has and leave rest it will be OK to drive under my hgv licence

Unfortunately, that alone is not enough Paul.

BTW, taking out a membership subscription on here, is very much money well spent, ie, so far the info proffered has alerted you to avoid being fined by plod, for driving a coach without the proper licence category, so that's a huge potential saving for you straightaway.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[ambulancekidd]

 

[G0HWC]

Unfortunately, that alone is not enough Paul.

BTW, taking out a membership subscription on here, is very much money well spent, ie, so far the info proffered has alerted you to avoid being fined by plod, for driving a coach without the proper licence category, so that's a huge potential saving for you straightaway.

Cheers,

Jock.

Now paid membership

 

[JockandRita]

Now paid membership

properly this time then.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Mzracer]

Guess this will be a steep learning curve

That learning curve is going to look like Mount Everest, very best of luck to you. You have big gonads.

I just looked at the details that you posted, she is a weighty old bird !!

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

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[jongood]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I've no idea how unfinished the conversion is or what your capabilities are but just wonder if you've checked out what else you can get for the purchase price + rest of cost to finish + manhours + hassle to get it legal?

There are some real bargains out there once you get over 7500kgs, some very nice Mh's. Have a look on www.mobile.de

 

[Nigel P]

Good luck with the re-conversion, hope your wallet is ready for the 6 to 8 mpg! Used to drive them and the manual gear change was a rather hit and hope affair.

 

[G0HWC]

I now have logbook
It's still registered as bus coach
But only has 6 seats and rest is living accommodation etc.
Last mot was also a class

Hi all.
I've just joined and looking at buying a 1995 volvo coach. It's been partly converted but very poorly.
Looking into place to insure etc.
I found the group when googleing best way to tax and get log book to show as mobile home / motor home.
I'm still very confused over it all.
I would be looking to live it it full time and renting out my current home.
I guess I will need some land to keep it parked while living in winter
What's situation with parking coaches over night to live on board?

Guess this will be a steep learning curve

Paul
Clacton on Sea, Essex UKView attachment 886050

 

[JockandRita]

Paul, what was it you were trying to tell us all in the quotes above, which we didn't already know about?

Cheers,

Jock.