Guidance

Motor caravans: changes to construction requirements from 2012

Published 1 July 2012

Construction and use, and lighting regulations

All motor caravans (also known as camper vans, motor homes, recreational vehicles) used on the road must comply with various rules about their construction. The motor caravan must be safe, in that it must be well-engineered so that it is not likely to fall apart or otherwise cause danger to other road users.

In addition, from 29 April 2012 onwards, new motor caravans have been required to be approved. This means that a government agency will need to sanction the design of new motor caravans before sales can begin.

Existing motor caravans, already registered with the DVLA, are not affected by approval. Likewise, conversions of registered panel vans into motor caravans are not affected by approval. However it remains the responsibility of the manufacturer / converter to produce a safe vehicle.

There seems to be a misconception circulating about a requirement for ‘crash tested’ beds or seats. This is not the case. The rules on MOT testing (annual test) are not changing. Only the rules applicable to the construction of new vehicles are changing.

Obtaining approval

Most motor caravans will need to be type approved. ‘Type approval’ is obtained from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and involves an assessment of certain aspects of the motor caravan design, inspection of a prototype and assessment of the production facility. This must all take place before production starts.

Alternatively, motor caravans built or imported in low numbers can be assessed individually after they have been built or imported. This is done by the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA), under an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection. In this scenario every single motor caravan produced must be taken to a DVSA test station and inspected.

The choice of whether to use type approval or IVA is for the manufacturer, and should be made based on expected production volumes, expected markets (UK or overseas), costs of the schemes and other factors.

Seats

For a vehicle subject to type approval, all seats intended to be occupied by a passenger when the vehicle is travelling on the road will need to be type approved, and this will apply to a seat which is capable of conversion into a bed.

There are no requirements for testing a fixed bed nor seats which are not intended for use whilst the vehicle is travelling on the road. As such, these will not offer a safe travelling solution for vehicle occupants and we would advise against their use unless the vehicle is stationary.

Importing a motor caravan

Motor caravans imported into the UK and previously registered in Europe will be accepted onto the UK register by DVLA upon presentation of the foreign registration document and supporting documents. An MOT will be required.

Motor caravans imported into the UK from outside Europe (eg America) will require an IVA before registration, unless they are over 10 years old, in which case only an MOT is required.

If the vehicle is left hand drive, modifications to the headlamps (they should dip to the left) and speedometer (must read in both mph and km/h) will be necessary. Normally the headlamps should be changed for a pair suitable for the UK. (Black stickers are not acceptable). The speedometer can be changed for a UK-spec speedo, or adapted by addition of a home-made scale. A dealership or garage can do the work but you are advised to shop around.

Trade Associations

• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• The Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association
• The NCC

Printed copies of guidance

If you would like to purchase printed copies, Statutory Instruments are available to purchase from TSO:

The Stationery Office
TSO Orders/Post Cash Dept
PO Box 29
Norwich
NR3 1GN

Tel: 0870 600 5522
Website: https://www.tsoshop.co.uk

Alternatively you can consult consolidated versions such as ‘The Encyclopaedia of Road Traffic Law and Practice’ published by Sweet and Maxwell. Such publications are continually updated and are available in most city reference libraries.

EU Directives

• all directives pertaining to road and agricultural vehicles
• UN-ECE regulations

Paper copies of directives can be ordered from TSO or from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).

Telephone: +44 (0)117 952 4178 / 4143
email: vista@vca.gov.uk

Legal information

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