Before your start motorhoming, there are essential things you must know.
\nSo, here is\u00a0the guide of motorhome basics for beginners:<\/p>\n
Driving licence:<\/strong><\/em> Motorhome insurance<\/em><\/strong> Motorhome\u00a0weight\u2028<\/strong><\/em> Speed Limits<\/strong><\/em> Where to Park<\/strong><\/em> We know that starting anything new can be daunting and if you\u2019re about to take your first steps into our fantastic pastime, you\u2019ll want to make sure you have the confidence and the knowledge to get the most from your first tour. So read on for more tips and advice<\/p>\n Happy holidays!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 1. How big can\u00a0you go?<\/strong> 2. Where can I park?<\/strong> 3. Double check your\u00a0driving licence<\/strong> 4. Choose the right layout for you<\/strong> 5. Separate \u2018likes\u2019 from \u2018must-haves\u2019<\/strong> 6.\u00a0Where to buy?<\/strong> 7. Visit a show<\/strong> 8. Try before you buy<\/strong> 9. Take a test drive<\/strong> 10.\u00a0Sort out your finances<\/strong> 11.\u00a0Get the right insurance cover<\/strong> 12.\u00a0Start by going local<\/strong> 15. Your first trip abroad<\/strong> 16.\u00a0Save money abroad<\/strong> 17. Go independent on the Continent<\/strong> 18. Which accessories must I have?<\/strong> 19. Stick to the limit<\/strong> 20. Belt-up on board<\/strong> Before your start motorhoming, there are essential things you must know. So, here is\u00a0the guide of motorhome basics for beginners: Driving licence: First of all, the most important thing to know, is what type of motorhome you can drive. For this, nothing easier, you need to look at your driving license: \u2013 If you passed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64,"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-79","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_0087-1.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79","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=79"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79\/revisions\/80"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trundlebus.co.uk\/kelpieav\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nFirst of all, the most important thing to know, is what type of motorhome you can drive.
\nFor this, nothing easier, you need to look at your driving license:
\n\u2013 If you passed the test before 1 January 1997
\nYou can drive up to 7,500 kg but after 70 years old, you must submit a medical form in order to renew your licence.
\n\u2013 If you passed the test after\u00a01 January 1997
\nYou can drive a motorhome\u00a0up to 3,500kg, if you want to drive a larger and heavier one, you need to pass a C1 test.<\/p>\n
\nHaving a motorhome insurance is essential and it constitutes a legal requirement. There are many insurance providers on the market, and a large range of policies. In order to chose the best one for you, better think about all your needs: the level of cover you want, the number of drivers, the type of motorhome your have, how often are you planning to use your motorhome, how far are you planning to go\u2026<\/p>\n
\nKnowing your motorhome\u2019s weight limits is vital before leaving\u00a0for a trip.
\nYou must know the maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of your motorhome and not exceed it. It is the maximum your motorhome is authorised to carry, including passengers and items.
\nWhile travelling one rule to remember: heavy items must be stored as close as possible to the floor.<\/p>\n
\nMotorhomes are restricted to the following\u00a0speed in UK:
\nFor a motorhome exceeding 3050 kg or 8 passenger seats, and not exceeding 12 meters in\u00a0length.
\nBuild-up areas:\u00a030 mph
\nSingle carriageways: 50 mph
\nDual\u00a0carriageways: 60 mph
\nMotorways: 70 mph<\/p>\n
\nDid you know that standard UK parking space is 4.8 x 2,4m and most parkings\u00a0have limit barriers of 1,85 or 2m? This means\u00a0that a motorhome can not go inside the parking, and even\u00a0this was possible, you will need more than a single place to park. For all these reasons, the best thing to do is to look for an appropriate parking.<\/p>\n
\nConsider what the largest \u2019van you can comfortably drive would be. How long is your drive at home and, if you plan to store your motorhome under cover, how high is your garage or carport? If you live near country lanes, consider a narrower panel van conversion.<\/p>\n
\nCheck whether your home deed or lease has a covenant preventing you from keeping your motorhome there. Ensure there are no parking-zone bylaws before you leave it at the kerb. Also consider storage at a site. Look online\u00a0for a comprehensive list of motorhome-friendly places to stop while on tour.<\/p>\n
\nIf you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you can drive a motorhome up to 7500kg on your B+C1 licence. When you reach 70, you must submit a medical form to renew your licence to continue driving a \u2019van over 3500kg, and do this every three years. Those who passed their tests after 1 January 1997 must pass a C1 test to drive a \u2019van heavier than 3500kg.<\/p>\n
\nLook at different floor plans and consider how many belted travel seats and sleeping berths you need, whether you need a shower and a toilet, a fixed-bed or one you make up. Consider how your circumstances may change in the next few years.<\/p>\n
\nDraw up a shortlist of preferences \u2013 any motorhome \u2018must-haves\u2019 (belted seats, beds over 6ft) and \u2018would-be-nice\u2019 (microwave, reversing camera). Be prepared to compromise on the would-be-nice, but not the must-haves. Draw up another shortlist, this time of \u2019vans.<\/p>\n
\nThe best prices for pre-owned motorhomes will be available to those buying privately or from an auction \u2013 but this is only an option for those who are experienced and know exactly what they\u2019re looking for. Buying new or pre-owned from a local dealer will ensure you have a warranty, which will give you some peace of mind.<\/p>\n
\nMotorhome shows are great for shopping around for a first \u2019van. Having a host of models in one place makes it easy to compare similar ones \u2013 don\u2019t forget to read our top tips! Also, you\u2019ll usually be in a good position to negotiate a deal. Similarly, large dealerships may offer a selection of new and pre-owned models.<\/p>\n
\nCampervan hire and motorhome hire can help you work out what you really want and need. Rent a motorhome with the same (or similar) layout to the one you\u2019re considering. Find out how it suits your practical requirements. Also, a number of dealerships offer try-before-you-buy discounts if you go on to purchase from them.<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re buying used, take a thorough test drive, ideally on a mix of open and urban roads. Make up the beds and lie on them, and ensure that all the components (heating, water systems, 12V electrics) work as they should.<\/p>\n
\nRegardless of whether you pay for your motorhome out of savings, a retirement lump sum, equity release or finance, set a budget and stick to it!<\/p>\n
\nTake out a dedicated motorhome policy \u2013 and go fully comprehensive. Check age limits for policyholders, and study any breakdown cover offered as part of the policy. Are there limits on the size of the vehicle that can be recovered? Get the motorhome\u2019s contents covered, too.<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t head out on an epic adventure for your first trip in your new pride and joy. Be prepared to discover the odd niggle and to return to your dealer to get it fixed under warranty. Some will encourage you to spend your first night at their on-site pitch with hook-up; it\u2019s a sensible option.
\n.
\n14.\u00a0Where to stay on a budget<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re looking for cheap (or maybe even free!) stopovers, check out our ever-expanding list of\u00a0Nightstops. In addition, both The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club have comprehensive networks of minimum-facility, five\u2013pitch CS\/CLs (certificated sites\/locations). They also offer cheap temporary holiday sites, which can run for a number of weeks and cost just a few pounds a night.<\/p>\n
\nBeginners nervous about touring abroad for the first time should consider going on an escorted tour with the likes of GB Privilege. The main clubs also offer their own versions, while booking your ferry crossings and touring sites, and giving other help in advance. Take your V5C (logbook), MoT and insurance certificates when you go abroad, along with a high-vis jacket, beam deflectors, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit. Double-check each country\u2019s requirements before you leave home.<\/p>\n
\nMany Continental countries offer a low-cost network of stopovers suitable for motorhomes \u2013 in France they\u2019re known as aires, in Germany they\u2019re Stellplatz. They\u2019re safe and legal, and for a few euros you\u2019ll be able to hook-up to electricity, take on fresh water, and drain down waste and toilet tanks.
\nAires and their equivalents outside France are listed in the comprehensive guides by Vicarious Books. Caravan Europe volumes are also worth taking on tour.<\/p>\n
\nThose who would prefer to travel independently around mainland Europe should consider using Camping Cheques (Alan Rogers) and Touring Cheques (Select Sites). These offer low-cost camping during the low season.<\/p>\n
\nAt the very least you should take toilet chemicals, grip mats, levelling ramps, a CO detector, a fire extinguisher, a torch, camping chairs and a basic toolkit for simple repairs and maintenance.<\/p>\n
\nIn the UK, \u2019vans with an unladen weight of more than 3050kg are restricted to 50mph on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways. Spain recently enacted a \u20ac500 fine for going 1km above the limit. Make sure you know how to stay legal before you head off on tour.<\/p>\n
\nLaws mandating the wearing of seat belts in the rear of motorhomes can seem confusing. Motorhomes first registered on or after 20 October 2007 must have belts for front- and rear-facing travel berths. If a belt is fitted, it must be worn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"