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While looking for the rules on MOT/Tax/insurance online, I found lots of conflicting information.  So I wrote to DVLA asking what the rules are and why the rules are so hard to find.  They have just replied today, a copy of which I include below (personal details removed).  It would seem things aren't all that straight forward, and the time restraints on how long you can be overseas before declaring your vehicle as exported are no doubt monitored by the ANPR systems at the borders.

So, straight from the horses mouth....

Dear (REMOVED)



Thank you for your email received on 28/2/15. Your email reference number is (REMOVED).



European Union (EU) vehicles which are circulating temporarily within or between community Member States are allowed under EC Directive 83/182, to be used on public roads without the need to register or pay duties in the host country. These provisions limit visits to six months in a twelve-month period and the vehicle must comply with the registration and licensing requirements of its home country.



A vehicle needs to be declared as exported by sending section 11 of the V5C registration certificate to DVLA if the vehicle is to be taken out of the country for more than 12 months, and then re-registered as a re-imported vehicle when returning to the UK.



We cannot anticipate what action, if any, the authorities of the host country might take upon a visiting British vehicle which is untaxed or does not have an MOT.



Unfortunately, you would not be able to re-tax the vehicle while you are abroad, unless you hold a current British MOT, therefore, the vehicle could not be re-taxed until it's return to Great Britain. I must point out that you would be committing an offence as soon as you drive off the ferry with an untaxed vehicle unless you are proceeding to a pre-arranged MOT test. You must be insured for the journey.



Once an MOT certificate has been obtained, the vehicle must be driven to your home address and removed from the road until you can purchase vehicle tax . You may re-tax the vehicle at any Post Office® branch that deals with vehicle tax. You should take with you the Registration Certificate V5C MOT Certificates, the appropriate fee and an Insurance Certificate or Cover note for vehicles registered with a Northern Ireland address(downloaded or faxed copies are acceptable, however photocopies are not).



For further information regarding MOT's you will need to contact the organisation below:




Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Ellipse

Padley Road

Swansea

SA1 8AN


Telephone number: 0300 123 9000

Fax: 01792 454313
Website: www.vosa.gov.uk
email: enquiries@vosa.gov.uk




It may also be helpful to contact the AA or RAC 'Overseas Motoring Advice Services' who may be able to advise further.



The rates of vehicle tax for all vehicle types are available on the website www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables



Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:



https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/dvla/en/reply_form_vehicles.html



When filling in the form the email reference number (REMOVED) will be required.



Regards



K Hughes

DVLA Contact Centre

Please keep us all up to date on your progress! 

I will for sure!  It's going to be a long slow project owing to lack of funds, but I'll get there!  First job is welding, lots of welding!  Sills are shot, drivers step has almost all gone, and side step by sliding door is rotten also.  I'm sure there will be more rot underneath the flooring! Mechanically sound though so I'm happy to spend a few quid on welding to end up with a reliable van that I know is solid...

Well, thanks for all the input guys, very much appreciated!  I have now bought the van that I will be converting into a home.  It is an 04 plate LDV Convoy!  Terrible rot, but I've done over 600 miles in it in three days and it hasn't missed a beat.  Great to drive, plenty of power up hills and sits on the motorway happily at the speed limit.  Steering is a bit sloppy but apparently the steering box can be tightened on these so I'll have a look. This is a project that is going to take time to do, but its definitely a keeper! 6 months MOT on it and taxed until end of April. A bargain!

My taste seems to be a bit different to you guys so far but I'll share anyway!

I mainly listen to reggae, but also like to check out singer/songwriters on youtube.

My favourite reggae group is Toots and the Maytals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSwjhYmAY4 

Nahko Bear is one of my favourites at the moment too, I only discovered his music around a year or so ago and have lots of his stuff saved on my phone and laptop.  My favourite of his has to be Manifesto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBqtBgelnI

Then there is Xavier Rudd.  Some of his stuff I'm not into, but a lot of his tracks are really nice.  I especially like Messages and Twist...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xv-yQK4_A4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JTriXxzWpY

Cracking van, looks great! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us all. I'm sure this will help a few others on here in the future too when it comes to getting the log book changed.

Ahh, that's handy to know.  It sounds a lot simpler than I'd have expected!  A copy of what pictures are required would be a great help, yes please 

Just wish the insurance companies would see it this way. As everyone knows they'll try to find any reason not to pay out if you do need to make a claim. My insurance went from £450 as a bog standard panel van on the V5 to £200 when I converted it to a camper (or motorcaravan as DVLA now class it) on the V5. Oh and i'm 45 full clean licence no claims or anything.

When I get back from Oz in June I need to find insurance that allows me to travel/live full time in the van for Europe/Morocco and accepts self builds. Anybody?

Insurance for full time living/travelling is what I'm looking for too.  I think when the time comes I will approach Adrian flux again as they seem the most helpful! They had no problem insuring my camper as a camper even though the log book still stated that it was a panel van.

On that note, how easy/difficult was it to have your log book amended? Does it change the taxation class of the vehicle also and would it work in the same way if I were to buy a minibus and convert that?

I'm sold, haha! Just need some land to put a yurt on!

hey hi

Jimmy the dude..... you have walked the El Camino! Someday maybe we will talk more about this. My van is perfectly tiny, a Daihatsu Extol. I know a few HiJets were converted but so far I seem to have the only converted Extol. To travel more than a few weeks I am learning minimalism......!

Will you have a new van soon???

A Daihatsu Extol?! You and your dog must both be tiny!

I have indeed walked the Camino - the most liberating experience of my life...  We can talk about it whenever you want.    Have you walked the walk? Or do you plan to?

I hope to have a new van very soon, yes. I'm just undecided as to which van I want!

28 days, not that you're counting, eh?!

Sounds great, as Mike said, how long are you going away for?

Now that is nice!  Not very practical for living in but it does look good doesn't it!?

Have you used the shower or toilet at all?  I was thinking of pretty much copying your layout when I do my own van.  I think the toilet would be good to have for a situation where you might get caught short, but what about the shower?  Where are you showering at the moment? What about when you're not with a community?

Thanks for the detailed reviews guys!

I'm still leaning toward the LDV, although I have seen some nice looking Transits on ebay.  What other vans do people think would lend themselves well to a camper conversion? 

I didn't know there was a switch off?  I see some people have been logging in to say they are real people - did I miss an email that was sent out?

Rich I am not... But I quite like the older looking vans that have a bit of character!  I'm not sure about a Ford transit, only because of how many have been abused by builders!  As you say though, any second hand van is going to be "well used!"  I don't want anything too big to the point where it will cause me problems parking etc.  I suppose really I should start by getting the load space dimensions for various vans and then seeing which had the smallest overall length but with a nice sized load space - perhaps I am wanting too much!!

After much procrastination, I decided to cut my losses and sell my van.  I was already toying with the idea of getting rid for something bigger after seeing that Mike has installed a shower in his. the head gasket then blew on my van so so I had to decide whether or not to fix it and sell it, fix it and keep it, or just get rid.  I decided that I would make a bigger loss if I pay for the repairs before selling it so sold it as it was and only made a loss of £200.

So, I am now on the lookout for a good vehicle to convert.  I am now seriously considering an LDV Convoy myself, based mainly on the fact that Mike has proved the van is very capable, and, after having a look on eBay, parts are very easy to come by and reasonably priced.  I would probably hope to get a Turbo version though for the extra power up hills etc.  What are peoples thoughts on this?  Turbo or non-turbo?

Or perhaps you can recommend a van of similar size that I have over looked?