Following an initial eight-week consultation on the GM CAP proposals which took place between 8 October and 3 December 2020, it was understood that there are several DVLA vehicle categories (also known as ‘vehicle type approvals’) for vehicles with a body type of ‘motorcaravan’ which may look similar and have similar levels of emissions.
A vehicle’s categorisation can be found in the vehicle’s V5C document (logbook) and is determined by the manufacturers’ homologation process. There are four possible categorisations on the V5C document for a motorhome/campervan:
- M1 or M1 Special Purpose (SP)
- N1
- N2
- In some cases the field on the V5C document may be blank
You can check the classification of your vehicle in one of two ways.
- Refer to Section J of your V5C document as this indicates the vehicle category; or
- Use the following link which, as well checking if a vehicle is taxed and has an MOT, also advises the category as ‘vehicle type approval’. https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk
Under the current GM Clean Air Policy, some non-compliant vehicles with a body type of ‘motorcaravan’ would be charged. This includes:
- N1: would be eligible for the van/ minibus temporary exemption to 31 May 2023 and then from 1 June 2023 incur a daily charge of £10.
- N2: would incur a daily charge of £60 from 30 May 2022. Those with a DVLA Tax Class of Private HGV would be eligible to apply for a discount on the daily charge from £60 to £10 from 30 May 2022.
- Blank: the vehicle would be charged as equivalent to either a van (£10), minibus (£10), bus (£60) or HGV (£60) depending on the details on the vehicle record. This will be based on the weight and seating capacity of the vehicle as set out at Appendix 1. If the vehicle has a DVLA Tax Class of Private HGV it would be eligible to apply for a discount on the daily charge from £60 to £10 from 30 May 2022.
M1/M1 Special Purpose non-compliant vehicles would not be charged under current policy.
However, feedback from the 2020 consultation highlighted that the current GM CAP policy would not treat all motorhomes/ campervans equally, as some would be subject to a daily charge (N1 and N2) and some would not (M1/M1 SP).
Therefore, recognising the principle of treating similar vehicle types with parity, another consultation was carried out from Wednesday 1 September to Wednesday 13 October 2021. Part of this consultation was to understand the impact of including non-compliant vehicles with a body type of ‘motorcaravan’ classified as M1/M1 SP within the charging scheme, so that they would pay a daily charge for traveling into or within the GM CAZ.
Under new proposals in this consultation, M1/M1 Special Purpose non-compliant vehicles would be charged as equivalent to either a van (£10), minibus (£10), bus (£60) or HGV (£60) depending on the details on the vehicle record. This will be based on the weight and seating capacity of the vehicle as set out at Appendix 1. If the vehicle is equivalent to a van, it would be eligible for the van/minibus temporary exemption to 31 May 2023 and then from 1 June 2023 incur a daily charge of £10. If the vehicle has a DVLA Tax Class of Private HGV it would be eligible to apply for a discount on the daily charge from £60 to £10 from 30 May 2022.
The GM Charging Authorities Committee will determine the outcome of this consultation in February 2022. Eligible owners of non-compliant vehicles will be able to apply for funding to support their vehicle upgrades from November 2021. It is anticipated the Clean Air Zone will launch on 30 May 2022.
More information can be found here: 21-0401_GM_Clean_Air_Plan_Consultation_Document_on_Motorhomes_and_Worsley_Boundary_Sept_2021_FINAL.pdf (ctfassets.net)