Brock Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 I bit the bullet and emailed the DVSA. This is what it said this morning: "DVSA will only use the plates on the vehicle. However the automated weighing in motion systems that are located on some roads will compare against DVLA records for this type of vehicle. if the vehicle has convertors plates, as this vehicle appears to have, they should override the original." I'll make a couple of additional points. 1. 'automated weighing in motion systems' are used at two road locations close to the Wirral that I know about. Two more, on motorways, do not. I don't know about the other two I've come across. 2. I gave the DVSA the example of my motorhome rather than explain Wasn't Me's situation. My van has 1) 3650 Fiat plate, 2) 3500 Alko plate, 3) 3500 Hymer plate with increased front axle loading, and 4) 3850 SVTech plate which is dated and supported by a Certificate. The V5C agrees with the SVTech plate. In my case, the Hymer plate overrides the Fiat and Alko plates, the SV Tech plate overrides the Hymer plate. I understand that to downplate a motorhome, you have to follow the ‘Notifiable Alteration’ procedures (VTG10). If the new weights are within the motorhome's design capacity, it is likely to be a paper exercise. Keith made a comment about checking the paperwork. Derek gave an excellent summary on 16 July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasnt Me Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 Cripes that is complicated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 If it was me: For the immediate term,IF you can make it function at 3500kg, then that's what I would go with. It would suit you to do so, in that the OH could drive it, it carries a, presumably Ford, plate that states it as being such, and the V5c(and therefore "the system") also "confirms" it. If having the 3850kg plate concerns you, depending on where it is, (for this trip) I'd just make a professional looking label that either carries the tyre pressures(if it's on a door pillar) or engine oil type/spec/capacity(if it's under the bonnet) and use that to cover it. We bought (second hand from dealer) a 2008 Chausson Allegro as supposedly 3500kg and the V5c showed it as such..but I later found a 3850kg Trigano (Chausson) plate and as I alluded to in the thread that Derek linked to, we were sent around in circles when trying to "correct" the V5c to the Trigano's higher plate.As I've already said in that thread, I would follow the procedure(s) as they had advised, only for them to reject everything and fire it back at me.. (it must have been 6-8 weeks worth of phone calls-email- letters-to selling dealer, the main importing dealer, DVLA Swansea, visits to the local DVLA office and VOSA test centre...each one giving me supposedly definitive advice, that differed from the advice that preceded it! *-)) I finally got it sorted by contacting Trigano (Chausson)"HQ" in France and they sent through an "Attestation" (their word) letter stating that our vehicle was indeed "type approved"(my word) at both 3500g and 3850kg. A copy of this letter finally satisfied DVLA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 tazdog6007 - 2018-07-16 4:42 PM Just have a nice trip,drive carefully,and the odds of being pulled in normal circumstances are pretty remote.and be aware of speed limits,when approaching small villages after a long run on national roads.plus (laws are for the guidance of wise men and the slavery of fools) :-D Sorry to be po-faced, but I think it very unwise to encourage law breaking on a public forum. Only one of the two possible drivers can legally drive the vehicle. If the other driver drives, and is stopped - for whatever reason, there will be consequences that may be expensive, disagreeable, and result in an endorsement. That risk needs to be recognised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 Wasn't Me - 2018-07-16 10:31 PM Hi thanks for your responses. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't downplated, as the previous owner had a scooter and a fairly large family. I do not know for sure. My feeling is that if the VC5 says 3500kg, then that is what the Police/VOSA will go with. Providing it is not over 3500kg. Obviously if my wife was driving it overweight (the motorhome) then it would be an issue. Thanks in advance You will, of course, do as you see fit. However, you have been correctly advised that a) you need to get the V5C corrected by DVLA, or if you want your wife to drive it get the vehicle officially down-plated to 3,500kg or get her licence up-rated, and b) that you wife cannot legally drive it on her present licence whatever may be its actual laden weight. This advice is all in public, so your wife would look a bit silly if when prosecuted for driving a vehicle for which she did not hold the appropriate licence, she relied on ignorance as her defence. If you contact SV Tech the down-plating exercise should be quick, with a replacement VIN plate sent by post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 I thought the problem was that the V5 puts it in the 3500kg category, but the plate states 3850kg? If so, then its legally limited to 3500 and both can drive it, but it needs to be loaded carefully to keep it within the weight limits. Mine was taxed from new at 3850, but had a VIN plate at 3500, (the manufacturers had both options) so I just made a new one to match the V5. So, minimum water, no spare tyre, essentials only, and a strict diet. (Which was the original question) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 Billggski - 2018-07-15 9:54 PM There seems to be some confusion between a vin number and a vin plate. The vin number is the unique identification on the V5 and is stamped onto the chassis and on newer vehicles is visible in the nearside corner of the windscreen. That is what identifies your class and excise duty category. The vin plate includes this number plus extra information about axle loads and, recently, your emissions category. As far as I can ascertain this is for information only, and if you are stopped by the DVSA or police they will already know the weight limit before they get out of their vehicle, which will be the one on your V5. Sort on, Bill, but...………..……………..:-) VIN = Vehicle Identification Number. The VIN is generate by the vehicle manufacturer at the time of manufacture, is attached to the vehicle in the form of a plate, and is unalterable. The V5C is merely a record of the base vehicle's credentials for registration purposes. Motorhomes leave the base vehicle's factory as unfinished vehicles, and then go for conversion at a different factory. The converter has the ability, through the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) procedure, to vary details of the base vehicle's plate (mainly axle loads, Maximum Allowable Mass and Gross Train Weight) but they cannot change the VIN. They attach their own plate to the vehicle (usually, but not necessarily) alongside the base vehicle manufacturer's plate, and this plate is required to reflect the changes made during approval for the CoC. So, motorhomes have two plates. Therefore, if a home made plate that is inconsistent with the CoC were attached to the vehicle, it would have no legal validity. The point is that the V5C is intended, and legally expected, to accurately reflect what the vehicle plate/s say/s. Its main function apart from registration, in UK, is that it governs the vehicle taxation class. When the V5C is issued it is, in my experience, accompanied by a letter from DVLA that carries advice to check its accuracy and advise DVLA immediately of any discrepancy. That is the duty of the registered keeper. The driver - whether or not the registered keeper - is then responsible for the vehicle load and for ensuring they have the correct licence for the vehicle class they are driving. I think this problem has potentially unpleasant consequences for a driver who is feigning ignorance of the plated weight of the vehicle, especially if abroad when stopped. I agree that being stopped is a low risk - although I have twice been stopped in France and once in Germany - but a driver unaccustomed to driving a larger vehicle may be expected to do odd things at times, and may therefor draw greater attention to themselves than might otherwise be the case. This issue is primarily about an error, a mishap, and the risks attaching to "winging-it" in hope. We've all pointed out the error and the risks. In truth, only the OP's wife can decide whether or not to take them on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 That is correct as I was informed by brian on Uk register. But Not in belgium and Nl etc. That plate is a technical thing. If your MAM is below 3500 kg you may drive B licence, whit respect to axle loads, Buy one whit a alko chassis and axle and save 160 kg.. to fiat hard leaf spring chassis.. A fiat HEAVY is very different on motorhomes and looks very mature on his larger wheel chambers, but you have more barriers on the road and all the rest outside the continent countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 IMHO this needs the assistance of a specialist to ensure a lawful solution is achieved whichever solution WM wants to follow. Change the V5C to the Chauson plated weight @ 3850kg or downplate to 3500kg by adding a legal third plate with the certifying documentation. As previously posted a specialist like "SV Tech" deal with these issues & would be prudent to discuss with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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