{"id":77,"date":"2025-04-24T12:36:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T11:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/travelblog\/?p=77"},"modified":"2025-04-24T17:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:34:12","slug":"panelvan-to-campervan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/panelvan-to-campervan\/","title":{"rendered":"Panelvan to Campervan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-66\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1-570x380.jpeg 570w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0089-1.jpeg 1700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Reclassifying your van<\/h3>\n<p>After converting a van into a campervan, it will need to be reclassified through the DVLA. This will formally change it from a \u2018van\u2019 into a \u2018motor caravan\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Doing so grants you a range of benefits in terms of insurance cover, cheaper MOTs, and higher speed limits in some cases.<\/p>\n<p>The DVLA is very strict about the changes you need to make in order to qualify for reclassification. These go far beyond simply putting windows and a bed in the van.<\/p>\n<p>The full criteria can be accessed at the government website.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll need to send evidence in support of your application including interior and exterior photos.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>DVLA Conversions Requirements<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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<\/li>\n<li>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<\/li>\n<li>motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle<\/li>\n<li>an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle<\/li>\n<li>a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/checklist.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-119\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/checklist-300x237.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/checklist-300x237.png 300w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/checklist-570x452.png 570w, https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/checklist.png 572w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" \/><\/a>DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversi<br \/>\n1. Motor Caravan Conversion Checklist (V1006):<\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CA4QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIDhAB\">\n<li><strong>Complete the checklist:<\/strong> This form requires you to confirm that your van meets the DVLA&#8217;s criteria for a motor caravan.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"6c212e8d-1d0b-43ec-a3a8-282553adb9bf\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"6c212e8d-1d0b-43ec-a3a8-282553adb9bf\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CBQQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQ3fYKegQIFBAB\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Find the form:<\/strong> The V1006 checklist is available for download on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan\/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GOV.UK<\/a> website and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/documents\/v1006-motor-caravan-conversion-checklist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here<\/a><a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CB0QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQo_EKegQIHRAB\">2. V5C (Log Book):<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CB8QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIHxAB\">\n<li><strong>Provide a copy:<\/strong> You&#8217;ll need a copy of your V#5C document, which should currently show an applicable body type, like a &#8220;van&#8221; or &#8220;other&#8221;.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"9a5de54d-3b04-4d8d-a2c5-f1cc1ed205ef\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CCkQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQo_EKegQIKRAB\">3. Interior Photos:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CEIQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIQhAB\">\n<li><strong>Show key features:<\/strong> You need to provide photos that clearly demonstrate the following:\n<ul data-hveid=\"CD4QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIPhAB\">\n<li><strong>Sleeping accommodation:<\/strong> Photos of the bed in its usable position.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Table:<\/strong> Photos showing the table in its usable position.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Daylight:<\/strong> Photos showing at least two windows providing daylight into the main living space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cooking facilities:<\/strong> Photos of any cooking facilities (e.g., cooker, sink).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage facilities:<\/strong> Photos showing storage areas (e.g., cupboards).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ensure proper lighting:<\/strong> The photos must clearly show the features in use and be well-lit.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"7e13559b-e421-47cd-97f1-779b39e56720\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"7e13559b-e421-47cd-97f1-779b39e56720\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CD8QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQ3fYKegQIPxAB\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CEcQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQo_EKegQIRxAB\">4. Exterior Photos:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CEgQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQISBAB\">\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><strong>Show the van&#8217;s appearance:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p>You&#8217;ll need exterior photos showing the van from the front, rear, and both sides, with the registration plate clearly visible.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"90f09419-7303-40fb-8ddd-97e88e57a675\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"90f09419-7303-40fb-8ddd-97e88e57a675\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CE8QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQ3fYKegQITxAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><strong>Emphasis on features:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p>The photos should demonstrate that the van is easily identifiable as a motor caravan, which may include a separate entrance door or specific graphics.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"4de72935-4fff-40e0-9109-003221a79a24\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"4de72935-4fff-40e0-9109-003221a79a24\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CFAQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQ3fYKegQIUBAB\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CFcQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQo_EKegQIVxAB\">5. VIN\/Chassis Number:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CFgQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIWBAB\">\n<li><strong>Provide a photo:<\/strong> Include a photo showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number, usually stamped on the plate attached to the original chassis or bodyshell.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"15d533a8-59aa-49cd-adef-4fc1b2e080c2\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"15d533a8-59aa-49cd-adef-4fc1b2e080c2\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CFsQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQ3fYKegQIWxAB\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CGIQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQo_EKegQIYhAB\">Additional Tips:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CGYQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjyobSy9-SMAxVcRKQEHWDzOsQQm_YKegQIZhAB\">\n<li><strong>Label your photos:<\/strong> Write the date, vehicle registration number, and a description of what&#8217;s in the photo on the back of each picture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep photos returned:<\/strong> If you want the photos returned to you, make sure to request this in your application.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check DVLA website:<\/strong> For the most up-to-date information, check the DVLA website.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"ee449d6d-36aa-4b23-91d4-c0209cb3eaa8\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reclassifying your van After converting a van into a campervan, it will need to be reclassified through the DVLA. This will formally change it from a \u2018van\u2019 into a \u2018motor caravan\u2019. Doing so grants you a range of benefits in terms of insurance cover, cheaper MOTs, and higher speed limits in some cases. The DVLA [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-information","czr-hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_0090-1.gif","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":122,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77\/revisions\/122"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}