14 Most Important Points Regarding the Legal Aspects of Motorhoming

Whether you are an old lag or a new hand at the motorhoming business, it is vital that you keep abreast of the legal aspects of owning a motorhome. What follows is but a brief resume of points of which you should be aware.

1. Before I hand over my cash, what should I be aware of?
Purchasing your motorhome from a dealer affords you a wide range of consumer legislation, including the Sale of Goods Act, which contains a key phrase ‘fit for purpose’. On the other hand, a private sale offers less safeguards – it is only demanded that the vehicle be ‘as described’. It is an offence to sell an unroadworthy vehicle, but an inspection should always be carrired out before purchase. Check out the vehicles history and have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic; and under no circumstances, pay in cash.

2. Can I legally drive my motorhome on my existing license?
Generally, the ordinary car licence (Category B) will also cover your motorhome; if, however, it is the case that you passed your test on or after January 1, 1997 and your requirements are that you will have to tow a trailer with a maximum weight of more than 750kg, the requirements are for a B+E licence – issuable after you have passed a separate test. Should your vehicle be over 3500kg (but less than 7500kg), the situation calls for a category C1 (medium goods vehicles) licence. (You’ll already have this entitlement if you passed the test before that date). If you are over 70, you’ll lose this entitlement, though it can be regained following a private medical test.

3. Is my vehicle legal?
Regardless of its condition: new, used, built in the UK or from the continent, all road vehicles must adhere to UK Construction and Use and Lighting Regulations. In the case where your motorhome complies with the National Caravan Council (NCC) certification scheme, it will have been found to be in compliance with all UK and EU rules and will have this signified by an NCC approval plate on the vehicle. It’s essential to check that the vehicle’s tyre pressure is appropriate for the load being carried and your van must not, when loaded, weigh more than the manufacturer’s stated maximum weight or exceed the maximum axle weights. If in doubt, you can double check at a public weighbridge.

4. How do I go about insuring my motorhome?
What you can expect to pay out on motor home insurance is generally very reasonable, as those who drive motorhomes are viewed by insurers to be a relatively low risk}. However, this is no excuse to not check that you have adequate insurance for your vehicle, not forgetting any additional premium for foreign travel. Check that your policy will include the vehicle’s fixtures, such as the fridge, and that any personal items that will be in the vehicle will need to be covered. Make sure you are fully satisfied that the policy you get is right for you!Don’t give lip service to choosing your insurance policy, get it right. Fully inventory your vehicle, its equipment and its contents and ensure everything is fully covered. And if there is a breakdown and roadside recovery element included, especially if you have a larger motorhome, that your recoverer is equipped to handle a vehicle of that size.

5. How do I get my motorhome MoTed?
Ultimately it’s a question of the size of your van and the facilities available at the test station. For the purpose of an MoT, all motorhomes are classed as Class IV vehicles and can usually be tested at any of the 19,000 car MoT centres in the UK. If this is impossible due to the size the vehicle, the MoT garage may refuse to accept the vehicle. Safest is to make it clear when you make your booking. Should your local MoT garage not be equipped to cope, Class VII centres have the facilities to cope with HGVs. There should be no difference in charge for the MoT (a maximum of £54.85 currently). Once a van is three years old, it will be required to pass an MoT and another each year from then on.

6. How fast can I go?
As with any vehicle, speed limits vary dependent upon the road being travelled and in the case of larger motorhomes may de different than for cars. If you have a standard-sized motorhome, no special restrictions will apply for the purpose of speed limits and motorway regulations – seventy on a motorway or dual carriageway and 60mph on other roads, but, of course, sign-posted lower limits apply. Restrictions do, however, apply to larger motorhomes of over 3 tonnes: 60mph on dual carriageways other than motorways and 50mph on single carriageway roads.

7. What is the maximum capacity for my motorhome? Do passengers in the rear have to wear seat belts?
Passengerwise, you are at liberty to carry as many as you wish, bear in mind, though, that you could be personally liable for their safety if they are not in a suitable seat with a seatbelt. As a rule, your motorhome will have a designated number of travelling seats, into which passengers may be securely belted for travel. Passengers, are however, legally obliged to wear seatbelts where fitted. Suitable child seats must be used for smaller children.

8. Which tyres should I use?
Use a good brand of tyre and choose tyres with load and speed ratings suitable for the vehicle. Don’t try to skimp and save on tyres, because motorhome tyres have a heavy load to carry. Remember that tread depth is just one sign of a worn-out tyre: wall damage, cracking and degradation due to sunlight exposure all contribute to tyre wear. Even a tyre with relatively healthy looking tread may be due for replacement for reasns other than mileage. Any tyre, including the spare, is due for replacement after seven years, and industry advice reduces that figure to five years.

9. Are there restrictions as to where I can house my motorhome?
Obviously you can park your motorhome anywhere on your own property; but spare a thought for your neighbours in doing so – for example, you may create a nuisance to them if your van is preventing light reaching part of their house. Roadside parking is an option, in the absence of parking restrictions, but you have no specific right to this space as your own. On the road outside of daylight hours, you must be parked facing the direction of traffic and , on roads with a speed limit of over 30mph, you must use parking lights.

10. Are there roads I should avoid in my motorhome?
Firstly, don’t be blissfully unaware of the size of your vehicle: if you don’t know, refer to your owner’s manual and always keep this at hand. The site you are heading for will have a recommended approach route to follow; this will take into account any potential problems. When it comes to small country roads, relying on your sat-nav can put you in a tight spot (literally); although some now can be programmed with your vehicle’s height and width and can thereby help you avoid any narrow or low spots. As a rule of thumb, avoid narrow country roads and keep your eyes open for road signs warning of low bridges, narrow roads and weight limits.

11. How do I check my van’s payload?
If in doubt, pull out your manufacturer’s handbook to see what makes up your van’s payload calculation. Remember that any additions, such as bike racks, etc., will have to be taken off. One hundred to one hundred and twenty kilos should cover the needs of the average couple (clothes, food, water and so on). Don’t forget that distribution is just as important as overall weight, as it can be easy to overload the rear axle. To be certain, take your vehicle to an official weighbridge (you can find your nearest through your local Trading Standards Office). Once you’ve weighed in, keep your results: they might come in useful if you are stopped at a roadside check.

12. Is it legal to overnight anywhere in a motorhome?
With the exception of a few remote areas, ‘wild camping’ is not legal in the UK – that is, you can’t pull up wherever you like and stay the night. Local bye-laws prohibit overnight stays in many car parks and in lay-bys, and you may be politely asked to move along if your stay looks like anything other than a short stop-over. Pay heed to height restrictions in town centre car parks; be prepared to locate alternative, non-height-restricted parking. Should you find a Pay and Display car park, you may have to pay for two spaces; read all applicable notifications to ensure you are legally parked.

13. Can all campsites accommodate motorhomes?
Forewarning a campsite of your arrival in a motorhome is a wise idea, as it is sometimes necessary to reserve a specific site for these vehicles. If your motorhome is oversized, you may find the site only has a limited allotment of space for large vehicles and may refuse to accept you at all. Campsites will do their utmost to accept you, although you may not get much choice of pitch location.

14. Are there special rules for pitches?
Though individual campsites will differ somewhat, as a rule, you will be placed so as not to inconvenience others. Should you be allowed to choose your own pitch, be considerate of your fellow campers. It is possible to pitch too close to your neighbours, so, keep an appropriate distance, as a rule of thumb, minimally six metres. Expect that your site will have a specific motorhome area and will direct you to pitch up in that area alone.