Has anyone seen Dan Trudgians latest video on registering a caravan (trailer) to take to France (and many other European countries)?
All to do with the word "commercial" being dropped from the legislation on 26 August and it appears that a few caravanners have been stopped whilst entering Germany.
Hopefully it's not as it seems otherwise it's another £26 to take the caravan to Europe and you apparently need registration document and another registration plate on your caravan.
Look forward to hearing others opinions on this.
**Update**
Just found this as well which seems to confirm it:
so ok after reading that link it confirms the law change, but what it doesnt help you with is where or how you get a uk caravan/trailer registered in the first place, seeing as the closest thing we have to prove ownership would be the cris document, but seeing as that isnt compulsory, how many of them are up to date? i wouldnt know where to even start registering a caravan, dvla i guess but i suspect i would become a laughing stock.
The new regulations came in on 26th August. It wasn’t something the UK decided, it is EU regulations.
This link from gov.uk gives the details. It used to be only commercial trailers but it is now all trailers over 750kg which includes most caravans. I believe from reading a few other forums, a number of people have been stopped and fined in Germany over the last few days. Other countries seem to be being a bit more lenient at the minute and are giving a grace period to allow for some people not knowing and already being abroad when the regulations changed.
Yes, there's been chatter on FB about this for a few days. In fact, I was accused of spreading disinformation and reported by one angry person. Ours is currently in France, but we will get all the necessary information when we are out there next month and apply for a plate once we are back.
We don't tow much these days and generally stay put, but it will cover us if we suddenly fancy a move.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks for posting this. We're currently in France with our caravan, came across on 19th, so were completely unaware of the legislation change.
Will have to check out what, if anything, we can do while we're away.
Just wondering - is this necessary while actually in France etc, or to leave, or just to enter?
Although we can register the van online, we can't get a plate made up or any documents printed off.
I'm amazed there has been no mention of this from the Clubs, the ferry companies or in the press in general. How are we supposed to comply if we know nothing about it?
Even the official Gov UK application form has not yet been updated - thank goodness for Dan Trudgian's comprehensive video.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 29/8/2025
Thanks for posting this. We're currently in France with our caravan, came across on 19th, so were completely unaware of the legislation change.
Will have to check out what, if anything, we can do while we're away.
I believe you can register whilst away and keep the temporary certificate handy, can't believe that absolutely nobody in the caravan business (Caravan clubs etc) have bothered to tell us it is needed
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Paul and Nikki on 29/8/2025
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 29/8/2025
Thanks for posting this. We're currently in France with our caravan, came across on 19th, so were completely unaware of the legislation change.
Will have to check out what, if anything, we can do while we're away.
I believe you can register whilst away and keep the temporary certificate handy, can't believe that absolutely nobody in the caravan business (Caravan clubs etc) have bothered to tell us it is needed
First I've heard of it too, pretty disgusted that CAMC (I'm a member) and/or CRIS (my van and details registered with them) have not notified me of this, that is after all surely one of their roles as industry influences/representatives/regulators! Considering how pushy CAMC are with marketing continental holidays, it's an even bigger disgrace on their part!
The Dan Trudgian video explains well what is required, how to do it, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, how to bypass the Gov MISINFORMATION on their own web site! https://youtu.be/xpcDKyaq090
What an almighty cock up from EVERY authority, with the only correct/reliable info coming from a amateur video blogger (albeit a much valued and knowledgeable one!).
The Gov website talks about taking a trailer over for commercial purposes, so this is all very misleading from them.
Cut 'n pasted below.
Transport goods out of the UK by road: step by step
How to transport goods commercially if you’re driving from the UK to any international destination.
I think my initial question is why mention caravan on the list, do people take commercial goods over in a caravan?
All very baffling, thats for sure! Await with baited breath for updates.
Just in case anyone hasn't seen it, the CAMC have responded to a post on X stating that they are in contact with DVLA and have also stated that there has been no consultation with the caravan industry (although as it's apparently an EU ruling I'm not surprised at the latter point).
Have also seen some screenshots from the DVLA stating that it is all trailers (they didn't mention caravans) and that the portal for registration hasn't caught up with Gov guidance as yet.
Quote: Originally posted by clarybel on 29/8/2025
The Gov website talks about taking a trailer over for commercial purposes, so this is all very misleading from them.
Cut 'n pasted below.
Transport goods out of the UK by road: step by step
How to transport goods commercially if you’re driving from the UK to any international destination.
I think my initial question is why mention caravan on the list, do people take commercial goods over in a caravan?
All very baffling, thats for sure! Await with baited breath for updates.
The Gov websites are in conflict (out of date!) with each other and requirements which changed this month. The wording on trailers being registered for use on the continent used to be for 'commercial' trailers only, but the word 'commercial' has now been dropped and ALL trailers including caravans (over 750Kg I believe) going to most of EU need to be and display a Gov registration plate (In ADDITION to car registration plate).
It's all very simply to get one, and cost a not outrageous £26 registration fee plus cost of a square numberplate style plate, once you get past the OFFICIAL Gov info that tells you you don't need one on a caravan (you most certainly DO now it seems!).
The Trudgians Youtube video (link in previous post) explains it all very well, and shows how to get past the idiotic incorrect Gov web site info.
This is an exemplary example of how a Gov department can take a simple process and royally F*** it up!
There is a thread on the CAMC forum about this subject. There appears to be a lot of confusion about it and I can't find anything on their website about it either. There are reports of some people being fined in Germany, no idea whether that's true. The whole thing is an almighty mess though, with apparently no clear information from gov.uk or DVLA.
I Googled DVLA caravan registration, which took me to what seems to be the correct page. As I said earlier, ours is in France, but I shall try to get the necessary information when we are there in September.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 30/8/2025
I Googled DVLA caravan registration, which took me to what seems to be the correct page. As I said earlier, ours is in France, but I shall try to get the necessary information when we are there in September.
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Topic: Caravan (trailer) registration
via mobile 29/8/2025 at 12:51am
