True this. My Ducato LWB van is still classed as light goods, and I was told by DVLA even if I put another window (the reason you see so many portholes on vans) I would never get it changed to campervan. Despite pilot chairs, table, sink/hob, loo/shower, gas cupboard, gas/electric boiler, fridge and bunks for 3. You’d have trouble fitting any light goods in there TBH.
Van conversion advice
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"Van with windows" yes- but modified. Modification is the issue with insurance.
Actually, I found it easier to get my "van with windows" on a policy which allowed work use than when it was classed as a motorhome..... the original owner had had it reclassified as a motorhome by DVLA back in the days when they weren't so strict (he did so on the incorrect assumption it would allow him to use car speed limits).
After really struggling with insurance of a "motorhome also used for work," I wrote to DVLA, had it reclassified back to a "van with windows" and that actually made it much easier (and considerably less cost!) to insure.
Indeed, and even in the days my van was classed as a motorhome it still needed the light commercial MOT. As it was a Big Van (3.5 tonner) the reduced LCV speed limits still applied too.
I discovered that if you want to use the vehicle for work purposes beyond the daily commute (and be correctly insured), there is no advantage whatsoever in having a camperised van reclassified as a motorhome; quite the opposite in fact when it comes to insuring it. Which is why I had mine changed back!
The thing with insurance of a camperised van (with or without windows) is that its a modified van. Any modified vehicle- and a modification can be as minor a thing as a "ceramic" coating on a car- scares off most insurers (i.e. they want a detailed list of each mod to factory spec and hike the price). So I went to a modified vehicle specialist insurer who also insures modified vans (Brentacre), and hey presto, problem solved. Once main mods listed, they were very relaxed about more mods, needed to tell them but they only charged more if the mods increased the performance. That's rather an important consideration when you're home-converting in stages, as each stage is technically a "modification."
However...... that only works if the Keeper is a person and it's their vehicle used for work (and leisure).
The same insurer wasn't interested in covering my business-owned (and business is the keeper) pick-up as it was "too commercial" for them. (I went to NFU Mutual, a 4x4 work pickup is much more their bag, that has some work-related mods- e.g. orange lights on top- and they are OK with that so long as listed).
It's a minefield, especially as the insurance market for anything not "bog standard" is getting increasingly fragmented, you really need to find the right insurer for your vehicle type- and the insurers don't see vehicle types in quite the same way as the DVLA.
GC
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