Does my caravan need an MOT?

CARAVAN holidays are extremely popular with families who want to go to new locations without breaking the bank every time.

However, what sort of regulations are there when it comes to running a caravan on the road? This is what we know.

1

Does my caravan need an MOT?

Caravans do not need an MOT. The only consideration for a caravan is that it’s safe for road use.

Although they’re sometimes confused with one another, a service and MOT check are entirely different things.

When a car is over three years old, it will need to go through an MOT test every year in order to confirm it is road legal.

Servicing on the other hand is more in-depth, mechanical assessment of the vehicle.

Do you have to register a caravan with DVLA?

Engine-powered vehicles such as cars and vans are required by law to be registered with the DVLA. However, there’s no such legal requirement for caravans.

While this means you don’t have to worry about DVLA paperwork it does introduce other issues that can affect the future security of your caravan.

Do I have to service my caravan?

Servicing a caravan is essential to ensure its safety on the road.

It is recommended that this is done once every 12 months, or 10,000 miles.

It is wise to do checks before moving your caravan, such as making sure the towbar is secure, and that the tyres are in roadworthy shape.

Do I need insurance to tow a caravan?

According to the AA website, caravans don’t need to be insured, however, it is recommended in the event or an accident.

There are three types of caravan insurance, these are:

• Touring or tourer caravan insurance This covers caravans which are towed behind a vehicle.
• Static caravan insurance This is for caravans in fixed locations, such as holiday parks or seaside resorts. If you move your static caravan to a new site, check that the movers have “goods in transit” insurance to protect it in case of damage, accident or theft.
• Trailer tent and folding caravan insurance Contents stored in trailer tents and folding caravans are less secure than traditional caravans, and so they can be trickier to insure.