NCC achieves important derogation that helps multi-stage vehicle manufacturers

After six months of representations to the Department for Transport (DfT), the NCC has secured an agreement from DfT to grant an end-of-series derogation for multi-stage vehicle manufacturers against Regulation (EU) 2018/1832 amending Regulation (EU) 2017 1151 (Article 15(9).  This is of huge significance to the UK motorhome sector.

This derogation only applies to multi-stage manufacturers (which includes but is not limited to manufacturers of motor caravans) and will allow the conversion and registration of these base vehicles after the original deadline of 31 December 2021.

In reaching their decision, ministers considered the representations of the NCC and specifically the point that motor caravan manufacturers are totally reliant upon the first stage manufacturer meeting their requisite end of series deadlines for first registration, and also in recognition of ‘some of the continued difficulties that manufacturers are facing from the COVID-19 pandemic…’.

Why this is important: Motorhome manufacturers are currently working extremely hard to meet increasing demand. Without this derogation, they would have been unable to sell as new the vast majority of vehicles that they are currently converting after year-end.

The detail: To qualify for the derogation, the base vehicles in N1 classes II and III and N2 must have been built before 1 October 2021. 

DfT is in the process of working with the VCA to open the application process, which will run for an initial period of six months from the date the process is available – this may be extended.  It is anticipated that details and an application form will be uploaded to the VCA website by the end of this week (12 November 2021).