NEWS
If you were asked in which category does your vehicle belong, would you know? Would you think to check if it is correct, or know that this can change depending on certain work that may have been carried out on the original vehicle? Do you even know the pros and cons of the category?
The conversions carried out by Clarks could mean that your category may have changed, and we want to help owners of converted vehicles understand why this happens, as well as some of the reasons behind it.
All in-scope conversions carried out by Clarks are Type Approved as standard. Type Approval (TA) is an accreditation we have held since 2013 due to our consistent approach of Converting Vehicles Correctly.
Another (often misused/understood) process for approving conversions is Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA). This process is most often used on private builds, kit cars or one-offs/prototypes.
Consequently, our Type Approval accreditation ensures all our conversions are converted to the highest standard and that your conversion is subsequently registered into its correct category following the conversion.
Vehicles used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than 9 seats with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) not exceeding 3500kg
Goods carrying vehicles up to 7 seats with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) not exceeding 3500kg
Vehicles used for carriage of goods and having a gross vehicle mass (GVM) exceeding 3500kg but not exceeding 12 tonnes
If your conversion was carried out by Clarks you won’t need to worry if your vehicle’s category is correct as all our conversions are registered to the vehicle’s relevant category for you.
However if your vehicle was converted by another provider, you may want to check if your V5C (logbook) is accurate.
Below are the most common reasons why you may need to amend your V5C (or logbook).
Any changes to the:
There are also changes that could require inspection, DVLA would inform you after submitting the changes if you needed further inspection; these include:
On your V5C the vehicle detail section ‘J’ will show your category and ‘K’ will show your Type Approval number. You can then check to make sure the category is appropriate to the conversion that’s taken place – i.e., M1, N1 or N2.
If your vehicle is classed as category M1 or N1, your V5C should show the correct category linked with the Conformity of Production (COP) and Type Approval documents provided by your convertor.
If your vehicle is classed as category N2, your vehicle should have a planting certificate, also known as a ministry plate that shows the permitted axle and gross vehicle weight if above 3500kg. This should then also link to the Conformity of Production (COP) & Type Approval documents provided by the convertor. Additionally, the category in which the vehicle is registered will be on your V5C.
If your vehicle has been converted by Clarks, we provide you with a copy of your COP and Type Approval documents in your handover pack, which is typically located in the glove compartment of your vehicle.
The amount of tax you pay for your vehicle relates to your vehicle’s efficiency, which is linked to the age of your vehicle and its emissions. Your tax will also change depending on whether your vehicle is classed as a car or a van. If you ensure your conversion is in the correct category you could benefit from a different tax bracket.
The speed limits in the UK generally remain the same, however there are some variations depending on the type of vehicle you are driving.
M1 category speed limits are the same as a car’s speed limit would be: 30mph in built up/residential areas, 50mph on a single carriageway and 60mph on a dual carriageway. Motorway speeds at 70mph, unless towing, reduces it to 60mph.
N1 and N2 vehicle speed limits are the same as van speed limits: 30mph in built up/residential areas, 50mph on a single carriageway and 60mph on a dual carriageway. Motorway speeds at 70mph, unless towing which reduces it to 60mph. Additionally, N2 vehicles by law require a speed limiter fitted as the weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes.
Insurance on your vehicle is necessary, however depending on your vehicle category, this could change the cost and type of insurance you qualify for:
If you receive a vehicle from your employer for work and private miles, you will need to pay BIK tax. Depending on which category your vehicle fits; this could change how much you pay.
NB. All information in this post was believed to be accurate at the date of creation but could have changed. Please make sure you have researched any recent changes thoroughly.
