Guidance

Internal features for motor caravans

Updated 21 October 2019

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

For a vehicle to be recognised as being converted to a motor caravan it must meet all 4 categories shown below. For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.

Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)

The seats and table must have the following features:

  • they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
  • a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
  • permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table

Category 2: Sleeping accommodation

The sleeping accommodation:

  • shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
  • can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
  • must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment

Category 3: Cooking facilities

Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.

If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:

  • the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure

If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:

  • the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure

Category 4: Storage facilities

The storage facilities:

  • can be a cupboard or locker
  • form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
  • must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment

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