WHAT HAPPENS DURING A POLICE ROAD CHECK IF OUR VEHICLE IS CONVERTED WITH COMBEING AND THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS THAT OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE?
Nothing will happen;
- Because the rear of your vehicle is considered private property, and the officer cannot require you to open it unless they have special authorization (Warrant or Roadblock), and
- Because the removable van conversion equipment is fully removable, it will be considered as a load that you are fully entitled to transport.
More information on the VanLifeMag website: Do we need to homologate VASP for a van with a removable conversion?
WHAT MODIFICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITHOUT RISK OF REFUSAL DURING TECHNICAL INSPECTION?
Since May 20, 2018, the regulations are subject to interpretation, and there may be differences from one inspection to another. The following responses were given to us on September 17, 2018, by a regulatory body based on the IT standards in effect at that time. For all these questions, there is no issue as long as the work is done properly and according to the rules:
- Can the vehicle be presented without a partition? YES; no inspection issue
- Can it be presented with a small ventilation frame on the roof, a skylight? YES
- Can it be presented with one or more ventilation grilles in the walls? YES
- Can it be presented with insulation glued against the walls? YES. The PTS may be noted "6.1.1.g.1 modification preventing inspection of part of the chassis," but this is not subject to a re-inspection.
- Can it be presented with cladding on the vertical walls? YES. The PTS may be noted "6.1.1.g.1 modification preventing inspection of part of the chassis," but this is not subject to a re-inspection.
- Can it be presented with cladding on the ceiling? YES. The PTS may be noted "6.1.1.g.1 modification preventing inspection of part of the chassis," but this is not subject to a re-inspection.
- Can it be presented with an auxiliary battery? This is not inspected (unless the installation could cause issues)
- Can it be presented with a Webasto heating system? This is not inspected.
- Can it be presented with a single passenger seat instead of the two-seat bench if it is listed as a 3-seater on the registration certificate? YES. But not the other way around. (The absence of a seat will just be noted).
- Can it be presented with swivel base chairs? YES. But be cautious of the fixings and seat belts.
Can it be presented with a pop-up roof? The European directive leaves much room for controversy. During the inspection, the vehicle is presented with the roof closed, and the inspector is not required to open it. Depending on the inspector or the installation, it could be flagged for a RE-INSPECTION because it alters the vehicle's rigidity. However, if everything is done according to the rules, there should be no issue.
