motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi
Got told by our local ITV that the rules have changed again; now motorhomes have to follow the same route as caravans if you want to have Spanish number platers on them. That is they have to have a homologation certificate obtainable from Madrid or Barcelona only.

Davexf

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

I suppose you know about the r/h drive problems associated with commercials,-do'nt know if it applies to motorhomes. Tuk-tuk.

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Does this only apply to rhd motorhomes? And what does homologation mean? :)

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Read "Free Beer" (driving in Spain) also do a search on the forum, been discussed before. Tuk-tuk

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi

It applies to all foreign plated motorhomes that do not have a european certificate of conformity. I assume that like caravans, motorhomes are not mass produced; therefore to be called "safe" to be a Spanish vehicle, the ordinary ITV (MOT) is not sufficient to say the vehicle conforms to Spanish rules and regulations.
Homolation consists of an expert engineer saying that the vehicle has been built in such a manner as to conform to those rules & regulations. Last time I asked it cost around 1,400€ and could only be done in two specialist centres one in Madrid, the other in Barcelona.
I would add that the "Free Beer" thread is possibly out of date, certainly the regulations are applied in different ways in different parts of the country, and are changed with monotonous regularity.

Davexf

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Mmmm ... very confusing :confused: Our is a recently-imported (1 year ago) German-built left hand drive. Hopefully it'll have the conformity that it needs!

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Suspect that RHD motorhomes will have problems, as the access doors will be on the WRONG side, on the traffic side when parked on non UK roads

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi JnK

Is your vehicle Spanish or German plated. This new change to the regulations applies only if you want to change to Spanish plates.

Davexf

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

As I am no longer a mod here, give the details to Mitzy or Fred and they will update them in Free Beer . ;-)

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi Davexf

It's now UK plated but has all it's German-based papers.

JnK

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

It does mention in one of the links in free beer that you wont be able to matriculate a RHD motorhome, but I have added this thread to free beer so its clear :)

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi JnK,

But do you have a piece of paper marked "Certificate of European Conformity". Although there is an EU, all countries can make up their own rules for "importing" cars etc. If you do not have a piece of paper so headed, then I suggest you try the manufacturer to see if they will sell you a copy. If they have then you are in clover (I have heard of being asked 300€ for the piece of paper). If you don't have that paper, sorry......

Davexf

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi Davexf

Can't find anything that looks like "Certificate of European Conformity" in German :ohmy: I've sent off an email to Hymer so now have everything crossed that I get some positive response otherwise not sure what we'll do as we thought buying a small lhd campervan well in advance of our move would simplify all the paperwork and expense when we got to Spain ... I'm beginning to understand why there seem to be so many expats sticking with their UK plates :eek:

JnK

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

We now know it's a LHD, that should make things a bit easier I would think. Tuk-tuk.

Re: motorhome rematriculation
 

Hi Tuk-Tuk,

Why would you think that? This is about safety, crash testing and a "safety cell". The basic idea is that in a crash your "personal space / safety cell" will not be invaded and you will be able to walk away.
Motorhome manufacturers take an engine with sub chassis and build from scratch. They do not mass produce to the same extent as cars (which go through extensive tests). As each vehicle is built differently then each vehicle has to be theoretically "crash tested" to ensure european citizens can not harm themselves!
Davexf