Van Conversion Risks: Expert Advice On Staying Legal

Chill Insurance has shared some of the legal and insurance risks of converting vans into campervans to help drivers stay compliant, avoid fines, and ensure they’re fully covered on the road.

• Failing to inform Revenue about a campervan conversion could lead to a fine of up to €5,000 and up to 12 months in prison.

• To be a legal motor caravan, your van must meet particular requirements, or face a potential fine of €5,000.

• Changing your van without updating your insurance or tax details can lead to a fine of up to €2,500.

With high import taxes, bringing a motorhome into Ireland can be expensive, meaning van conversions have the potential to be a more budget-friendly option. However, improper modifications can lead to legal issues and invalidate your insurance.

To help drivers stay on the right side of the law, Chill Insurance have shared legal guidelines from Revenue, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and the Irish Statute Book, along with insights from their own insurance experts, to highlight the most common pitfalls when converting a van into a camper.

Drivers must declare any physical changes they make to a van to Revenue, or face a fine of up to €5,000 or 12 months in prison

If you convert a van (like adding/removing seats or turning it into a camper), you must tell Revenue about the change to the registration category. You can do this by filling out a form, where you need to provide:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (both sides)

• Proof of CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions

• Invoices for the conversion work

• For camper conversions: Photos showing interior and exterior changes

If you don't declare a conversion, you could face serious penalties: a fine of up to €5,000 or 12 months in prison (or both), or up to €126,970 and five years in prison for more serious cases. The vehicle could also be taken away.

For a van to be classed as a motor caravan, drivers must adhere to particular rules, or face a potential fine of €5,000

To be officially classed as a motor caravan and avoid a fine for misclassification, a van must have:

• Seats with a table

• A sleeping area (could be convertible from seats)

• Cooking equipment

• Storage, all securely fitted

The vehicle must also allow for standing room and provide easy access to all features. Also, note that side windows are needed. If you are adding a gas cooker into the van, you must also have an up-to-date gas safety certificate.

Overloading a van is illegal and can lead to fines, penalty points, and court prosecution for both the driver and the owner

When converting a van, it must adhere to the Health and Safety Authorities guidance and ensure that vehicles are not overloaded. Doing so would be illegal, potentially leading to fines, penalty points, and court prosecution. To avoid this, check your van's weight limit (GVWR) on the manufacturer’s label, the owner’s manual, or the registration document. Throughout the conversion process, you can weigh your van regularly at public weighbridges to ensure you are on the right side of the law.

If a vehicle is overweight, the driver receives penalty points and a fixed charge. The owner is summoned to court and, if convicted, may face a fine of up to €2,500, a prison sentence, or both.

Every vehicle on public roads must be insured according to Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961

All vehicles on public roads, including vans, must have insurance under Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. If a driver is caught without valid van insurance, both the driver and the vehicle owner (if they’re not the same person) can be fined up to €100, sent to prison for up to six months, or both. Additionally, any vehicle that requires an NCT (National Car Test) must have a valid NCT certificate to be legally driven in public.

Driving without one is a criminal offence under Section 18 of the same Act, and can result in a fine of up to €50, up to three months in prison, or both.

Ian O’Reilly at Chill Insurance, "To avoid fines, penalty points, or even losing your van, owners need to be careful when making changes like adding seats, converting to a camper, or carrying heavy loads. These modifications can affect your tax rate, insurance, NCT requirements, and safety regulations.

“The rules might seem overwhelming at first, but if you take the time to understand them, submit the right documents to Revenue, and make sure your van isn’t overloaded, you’ll stay on the right side of the law – and ready for the road."