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NEW MEMBERS
Added:18th-Jun-2008
We are pleased to announce that we now have 3 new members and 2 others that are pending .
We would like to welcome on board Tom Pam and Paula of Oakwell Motorhomes,Steve ,Tom and Mel of Signature Motorhomes,and Paul of Dudleys of Oxfordshire . The three companies have many years of experience in the industry. With the exception of Travelword we will soon have the full complement of all American dealers in the UK and feel that working together will move this industry forward.
Jane Edwards
THE RVDA – ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
Added:4th-Jun-2008
It is with great relief that we can finally announce what we, the RVDA have achieved. Unfortunately we had been bound not to disclose any information until so instructed by the Minister of Transport’s office. But I can assure you that we have been working in the interest of every person involved with Motorhomes in the UK.
Over 2 years ago the DVLA and the DFT tried to enforce their own interpretation of legislation. This would have closed down the importation of all American motorhomes and curtailed the sale of many that were being built in England and Europe.
Many dealers within the industry realised that compliance with these newly imposed laws was not an option and the only way forward was to oppose those bodies and form the association .
Jane Edwards of Destination RV International chaired the group. Using their own costly litigation experience, which gave them the fundamentals for their legally founded argument. They were assisted by Les and Jayne Botham of Ridgeset RV, Eric Randle of Itchyfeet and Bradley-Felton of Griffin motorhomes.
After many meetings with various senior executives of both the DVLA and the DFT working on behalf of the minister of state, both bodies became to rely upon the candidness and honesty of the members of the RVDA and a good working relationship was founded.
From 29 April 2009 the new BIVA (Basic Individual Vehicle Approval) will replace the current SVA. At the present moment motorhomes are not required to have an SVA, however from 29 April 2012 this will be mandatory for all motorhomes (up to 10 years old).
For the last 18 months Jane has been working with the DFT on proposals for EEC directives and National legislation and how they will affect the motorhome industry. Her primary goal, and that of the RVDA members, was to ensure that motorhomes, and essentially American built motorhomes, were not excluded from the UK due to their width and or length.
The directive is likely to see a decrease in overall width which would have meant that even many European motorhomes would have been under threat. The directive is still in draft format and due for public consultation within the next few months. As a result, we are unable to publish anything just yet, but will do so when we are able.
It is clear, however, from the draft directive and the relevant pages of the draft VOSA inspection manual that we have achieved our primary goal and no longer live in fear of having no market for American motorhomes in the UK .
The width and length of a motorhome and what items are and are not included in the measurement is soon to change.
Attached is a letter sent on the 16 th November 2007 which clearly shows the depth of our involvement. Having read the draft proposals and submitted our comments further emails dated 14th March 2008 and 10th April 2008 have since been received (see attached)
EMAIL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
From:
Senior Policy Advisor
Transport Technology and Standards
Department for Transport
To:
Jane Edwards
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
Association
(RVDA)
Dear Jane,
Forthcoming changes to vehicle approval
Thank you for that productive meeting on 30th August. I would also like to thank yourself, representing the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), for all the information the Association has provided over the last 2 years during discussions with DfT - TTS and DVLA on the overall length and width of American motorhomes, and for being willing to discuss the issues so frankly.
As I explained, all motorhomes will be subject to mandatory type approval from 29 April 2012. For motorhomes originating in the USA the most likely approval route will be a test we are calling ÔBasic IVAÕ or bIVA, which will be very similar to the current SVA scheme. There are around 40 subjects which are tested and I enclose a Schedule of the requirements. For some subjects (listed in the second attachment) we accept evidence of compliance with American (FMVSS/CMVSS) standards as long as the original VIN/compliance plate is present and the vehicle has not been modified to affect compliance.
The Basic IVA requirements are based on EC Directives, with some modifications and waivers to take account of the fact that this scheme covers vehicles produced or sold in low numbers so documentary proof of compliance with Directives would be impossible to obtain. Moreover this allows motorhomes certain exemptions from the normal requirements and these will be carried over into our IVA scheme.
The Inspection Manual for IVA is still being drafted by VOSA and will contain the detailed test procedures. Amongst other things it will contain the detailed list of items (such as rear-view mirrors) which are to be disregarded when measuring overall length and width. I know you are keen to discuss this matter further and I will ensure that the RVDA is involved in consultations.
I await your comments on the Basic IVA proposal, ideally by the end of November. We aim to conduct a full public consultation in Spring 2008, but the earlier comments are made, the easier it is to consider them and make changes if needed.
I attach a revised proposal for the BIVA (Basic IVA) test which will replace SVA on 19th April 2009, and will become mandatory for all motorhomes (up to 10 years old) registered after 29 April 2012.
I also attach a list of FMVSS/CMVSS which will be accepted in place of the fisted technical standards. Finally I attach a quick reference sheet showing the main differences between SVA and SIVA. Feel free to ring if anything is not clear. We aim to have a full public consultation in the next 2 months.
I understand you also have an interest in trailers. From 29 October 2012 new trailers will need to comply with a similar approval scheme and I aim to provide details of this at a later date.
I am happy to discuss further if you need clarification.
Yours sincerely, DFT
