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Ministry of Transport
Kûfôs-depârtemen


Caravans and Motorhomes/Campervans


Introduction

Drivers of passenger cars towing a caravan and drivers of motorhomes (campervans included) can take advantage of a number of regulations in Spocania that apply specifically to caravans and motorhomes.

For residents in Spocania who have to pay Road Tax, there is a reduced rate for motorhomes, provided that this vehicle is used "for the enjoyment of leisure".

For all road users in Spocania (both residents and foreigners), a caravan may be towed behind a passenger car without further restrictions if the car + caravan together do not weigh more than 3200 kg, and the caravan does not weigh more than the car. For all other trailers behind a passenger car, a maximum authorized mass of 750 kg applies (as also applies in the EU).

Likewise, for all road users, the tolls for caravans and motorhomes are considerably lower than for other trailers and other cars of the size that motorhomes normally have. The ferry companies that maintain the ferry services between the islands also have favorable rates for caravans and motorhomes.

It is therefore important that there is a clear definition of what can be understood by "caravan" or "motorhome". This definition is laid down in the so-called Streamline Regulation, which is part of the Transport Act.


What does the Spocanian law mean by Caravan and Motorhome/Campervan?

1 First of all, there is a categorical criterion (it is determined on which vehicle category a caravan or motorhome should be based):

  • A caravan is equated to a trailer that may be towed behind a passenger car (although such trailers have a maximum authorized mass of 750 kg, a caravan may not weigh more than 3200 kg together with the towing vehicle, see above);
  • A motorhome is equated with a passenger van (although passenger vans may transport a maximum of 16 people, a motorhome may carry as many people as there are sleeping places).

2 Secondly, there is a quantitative criterion (measures and weights are determined here):

  • For a caravan, the floor area must be at least 200 cm long and 130 cm wide.
  • Furthermore, the minimum height from floor to ceiling must be at least 170 cm. These dimensions also apply to a motorhome, but are then calculated in the space behind the seats of the driver and passenger(s).
  • The interior space may be at least 130 cm high if it can be raised over a length of at least 100 cm and a width of at least 80 cm to a height of at least 170 cm.

3 Thirdly, there is a qualitative criterion (demands are set for the furnishing, because the basic principle is that the caravan or motorhome can be used as temporary living space).
The following provisions apply to the caravan as a whole, or to the motorhome, insofar as it concerns the space behind the driver's seat and the places for the passengers. In both cases it is therefore about the "living space".

  • There must be at least 2 fixed seats in the living space.
  • There must be a removable or non-removable table, with a surface that is at least equal to 25 cm² per fixed seat (so: if 4 people can sit, the table must be at least 1 m² in size).
  • There must be at least 2 sleeping places; when it comes to separate sleeping places, they must be at least 180 cm long and 110 cm wide. A double berth may be 130 cm wide.
  • Sleeping places do not have to be permanently present, but can be created, for example, by lowering the table to the height of the seats, or by other facilities that can be folded in, out or down.
  • A worktop with sink, tap and drain must be present. The total surface of this must be at least 1 m², and the whole must be installed at least 65 cm above the floor.
  • There must be a cooking facility: this may consist of a permanently mounted cooker (both gas and electric) or microwave, but a separate cooker that can be used in the open air is also allowed.
  • Wastewater must be collected in a tank that can be emptied at designated places.*
  • If the caravan or motorhome is equipped with a toilet, this must be a chemical toilet, or set up in such a way that the waste products are stored in a tank and can be emptied at designated places.*
* These provisions are included here because of environmental legislation.

Warning

If a caravan or motorhome does not meet one or more of the above requirements, there is a chance that the competent authorities (customs, police, tax inspectorate) will not recognize the caravan or motorhome as such. In that case, the caravan will be regarded as an ordinary trailer, or the motorhome will be regarded as an ordinary delivery van. This could have unintended tax, legal or financial consequences.


Foreigners

In principle, caravans and motorhomes with a foreign registration number must also comply with the above-mentioned provisions in order to be recognized as a caravan or motorhome by the Spocanian authorities.
Caravans or campers with a registration number of a member state of the European Union will in principle also be recognized as a caravan or motorhome in Spocania if this is also the case in the relevant EU member state. In that case, the vehicle does not have to comply exactly with all the provisions listed above.


Update December 1, 2015
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