Campervan or Van?
Why have I got a speeding ticket?!
This is something that catches lots of people out. They buy their shiny new Campervan and take it for a spin completely unaware that they might be breaking the speed limit.
If you’re Campervan has not been re-registered with the DVLA as a Motorcaravan, in the eyes of a speed camera, it is a van.
Van Speed Limits
A lot of people do not know that speed limits for vans are different to that of cars.
Vans can only travel up to 50mph on single carriageway roads, and 60mph on dual carriageway roads. Provided they have a laden weight of under 7.5 tonnes and not towing a trailer, vans can travel 70mph on Motorways.
If you exceed these van speed limits in your Campervan, you are likely to get a speeding ticket.
What does your Campervan ‘identify’ as?
The law is completely un-interested in what the DVLA classes vehicles as. A ‘van’ body type on your V5 does not mean you are restricted to the speed limits of a goods vehicle.
If your Campervan meets the criteria set out in ‘The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to be a ‘Motor Caravan’, then it can travel at the speeds set for Motor Caravans. For Motor Caravans of not more that 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight, these are the same as a car.
Is my Campervan a ‘Motor Caravan’?
If your Campervan ticks all the following, it is a ‘Motor Caravan’ and can travel at the same speed as a car:
- Has an unladen weight of under 3,050kg
- Is not adapted to carry more than 8 passengers
- Has seating and a table
- Has sleeping facilites
- Has cooking facilities
- Has storage facilities
These facilities must be provided by ‘permanently installed equipment’. Basically, you can’t throw a mattress and a microwave in the back of a van and call it a ‘Motor Caravan’!
I received a speeding ticket, now what?
Easy – contest it!
All you have to do is respond to your ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ with evidence to show you are not a van and explain you were acting within the law.
I have written a sample letter at the bottom of this page, which I have used successfully to get speeding tickets cancelled.
You have nothing to loose for giving it a go – so go for it!
Speeding Ticket Contest Letter
Dear Sirs,
I have received your letter dated (*insert date*) in reference to your notice of Intended Prosecution, notice number (*insert notice number*).
I must, however, contest the stated speed limit for the vehicle to which the notice relates; (*insert vehicle registration*). The notice alleges that the vehicle is a goods vehicle and has therefore exceeded the speed limit set according to the regulations for goods vehicles (5/18/20/30/40/50/60 mph).
The (*insert vehicle type*), reg (*insert vehicle registration*), is in fact a Motor Caravan as it meets the criteria set out in the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986; it has an unladen weight of under 3,050 kg, has seats and a table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities and storage facilities. I enclose pictures of the integral qualifying features of the van in support of this.
Although this is not registered on the V5, enquiries with the DVLA state that “A ‘Van with Side windows’ body type does not necessarily mean it is restricted to the speed limit of a good vehicle. Provided that you are satisfied that the vehicle meets the requirements to be recognised as a Motor Caravan and that any alterations made to the vehicle do not compromise safety then it should be treated as having the speed limit of a dual purpose vehicle.”
As per the RTRA 1984, Motor Caravans are not restricted to speeds below the national speed limits and so these vehicles have the same speed limits as cars, in this case, 70mph on a dual carriageway.
I would therefore appreciate the careful consideration of this information in relation to this notice of intended prosecution, for the individual named on the enclosed form.
Should you require any further information, please contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Make sure to check out our other tips and tricks to help you in your adventures!
