On 20 October 2026, the DVLA updated its guidance on changing a converted van's body type to "motor caravan". The headline news is that pop-top roofs now count and the old requirements for graphics and an awning bar have gone.
That opens the door for many pop-top and self-build conversions that were previously refused. But one rule hasn't moved: your cooking equipment must be permanently fixed. If it isn't, your application can still fail.
Here's what you need to know.
What changed in October 2026
To be reclassified, your van must now have these external features:
- Two or more windows on at least one side of the living area (cab doors don't count)
- A separate door into the living area
- A high-top roof or a pop-top elevating roof
Graphics and an awning bar are no longer listed. DVLA will also now consider applications from any original body type (though very distinctive vehicles, such as buses, may keep their original description), and if you were refused before, you can ask for a review.
The internal requirements stay the same: seats and a table, a bed, storage and cooking facilities, all rigidly fixed to the vehicle.
What DVLA says about cooking
Your conversion needs at least a single-ring hob or a microwave, secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If you cook on gas, there are two extra conditions:
- An on-board gas bottle must be secured in a cupboard or fixed to the vehicle structure
- With a remote gas supply, the supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure
You'll need to send photos of each internal feature with your application, so the fixing needs to be clear.
What doesn't count
These common set-ups are unlikely to meet the requirement:
- A portable gas stove stored in a box or cupboard
- A plug-in induction hob that sits loose on the worktop
- A cassette stove or camping cooker that comes out at mealtimes
- A gas bottle rolling around a locker without a strap or bracket
A useful rule of thumb (ours, not DVLA's wording): if you can lift it out without tools, it probably isn't a permanent feature.
Gas or electric?
DVLA accepts either. The guidance asks for a fixed hob or microwave and doesn't specify the fuel.
Electric cooking makes the paperwork simpler. There's no gas bottle to secure, no supply pipe to fix and photograph, and one less thing to check. It also frees up the space a gas locker would take, which matters in a compact van.
Whichever you choose, it needs to be installed properly and permanently fixed.
Quick cooking checklist
Before you send your V5C to DVLA, check:
- At least a single-ring hob or a microwave is fitted
- It's permanently fixed, either to the floor or side wall or into furniture that is itself permanently fixed to the van
- If gas: the bottle is secured in a cupboard or to the vehicle structure
- If gas with a remote supply: the pipe is permanently secured
- You have a clear photo of the cooker in place, labelled with the date and registration
- The rest of the kitchen and living area meets the other three internal categories
Beyond DVLA
Meeting DVLA's list is only part of the picture:
- Insurers may ask for more, such as a sink or water supply. Check with yours before you apply.
- Safety is your responsibility. DVLA states the keeper must make sure the conversion doesn't compromise safety, and prove it was done safely if you sell.
- Weight matters. Every fitted item reduces your payload, so choose equipment designed for vehicle use.
Fixed, electric cooking from GN Espace
Our electric galley range is hand-built in the UK and designed for permanent installation in boats and vans. Every unit has fixed anchor points designed to go into your galley furniture, so it's built in rather than sitting loose. Make sure that furniture is permanently fixed to the van's floor or side wall too.
And they have been CE certified for use in a campervan - unlike many domestic products you find on the market.
That means no gas, no loose hobs, and a cooker that's built to stay put on the road.
Explore our electric RV range or talk to our team about your conversion.
FAQs
Do I have to reclassify my campervan? No. DVLA says you can still use a converted van as a motor caravan without changing the body type, as long as you're satisfied it meets the internal features.
Is a microwave enough? Yes. DVLA accepts a microwave as the minimum, as long as it's secured to the floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
My application was refused before. Can I try again? Yes. DVLA now lets you ask for a review of a previously rejected application under the updated guidance.
Does DVLA approve specific cookers? No. DVLA assesses the vehicle, not individual products. What matters is that the cooker is fixed and installed properly.
This article was correct at the time of writing (3 November 2026). DVLA guidance can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK pages before you apply.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (updated 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Internal features for motor caravans
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