New Legislation on Conversions

[Daveyboy6666]

Hi, First newbie question of many.. With the new regulations out about turning a Van into a Camper, it states that you must have 2 windows ? now I couldn't see anything about size? ( Unless I skimmed it too quick for my own brain, Which is possible! )
So is there an actual size that the 2 Windows must b or is it as long as there are 2 Windows ? Please help my head from hurting,reading so much information and I haven't even got a Van yet ???? Ty ?

 

[Otter Spotter]

There must be a rationale for why they have suddenly adopted this approach. There have been a number of conversions done so that they can be used as "Q" vans, so that you cannot tell from the outside that it is a camper, so perhaps this is to field that approach. One of the recent requirements is that is "looks like a motorised caravan". I once inquired as to why, and was told it was so the police could tell what the use of the van was. The immediate response was that if they can't tell the difference, they must be a bit .... tiired and overworked.

I did then wonder, if you could stick on the van sides more pictures of windows, with the vinyl motif, "this is a MOTORHOME..

Also, and as an ex-employee of the much loved Crapita group, I believe that DVLA is largely run by the said. And if they happily employed me, what chance have we got of any great logic?

Dorwyn, do not get me going about Capita, the waste of experienced brains that they have thrown away to reduce costs to the point where they lose the contracts because they cannot do the work anymore. I have lost count if the number of complaints we have made against their pension administrators. See I said don’t get me going ?

 

[AXO66]

I think it’s to do with the increasing number of people who decide it’s cheaper , or cant afford a house or rent, to live in a van. The numbers are increasing, local people complain, authorities developing policies etc etc . Bristol is a case in point where consultation is apparently ongoing.

So i suspect behind the scenes authorites probably via the LGA have spoken to the DVLA on behalf of LAs .LAs have the job to manage (police) , people sleeping in vans,etc, so probably want a way of being able to identify converted vans quickly easily.

probably a few requests for information through freedom of information processes would uncover the minutes of meetings, draft policies etc “if“ this is the explanation.

who knows, but our Ford transit with a white plastic wendy house on the back is easily identifiable!!

 

[Herbyventures]

My frend has just done up a vw van with popup roof and the full works sent in lod's of photos and it come back as van with side windows
he is not happy
billx

As Pappajohn points out the application form is quite specific that a pop top does not count, they are looking for motorhomes to be walk in height without a pop top. The question of windows at the top of the post also doesn't mention that the there MUST be two windows on at least one side of the van, not counting the cab windows. We struggled to fit two windows on one side of a LWB transit, one of them will be used mainly for airing the bed! The form wording does make it appear that some of the external features are optional, but in practice it is clear they are not. We'll see how we get on later this year. We will be compliant with everything as far as we can see. If they are going to object to all and any conversion simply on the basis that it started life as a van then surely there is no point there even being a process of application to have it changed, or any point in having a great long list of rules you have to comply with?

 

[Mistajim]

There is no specific size implied, what they want is sufficient daylight to the living area. It’s up to them I guess where is the borderline of sufficient. I sent my log book 3 weeks ago and waiting. On one side I got a big window and the other side same, plus a small one over the sink and cooker. I think is a seitz s5 500x300.
I will find out soon.

How did you get on? Have you heard back yet ?

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[Raul]

Yes, see post no 10 on this thread.
It came back van with side windows and a covering letter that acknowledges it’s been converted to a camper van.