Do I need to re-title and register my van conversion to an RV?
This is a no brainer. You should absolutely change the registration of your camper van into an RV.
Re-titling your conversion van accomplishes a few things:
How do I register a converted camper van?
This can vary from state to state but the process is similar no matter where you are. We’ll use how it’s done in Colorado as an example
In Colorado, the process involves getting a VIN inspection from the Colorado State Patrol. There is only one step but you need to bring a few things with you to the VIN inspection.
Documents needed for the inspection:
- Registration and title or dealer purchase papers
- First and foremost you need to prove that you are the legal owner or an authorized person that can initiate the re-titling process.
- Certified weight slip
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Truck stops, landfills and landscaping companies have large scales. Most of them will charge around $10 to provide a certified weight slip. It’s important to make sure they have a certified scale and can provide the proper document that will be accepted by your local government. Here’s where you can find certified CAT scales in your area.
- Statement of fact
- This is where all the improvements that make this vehicle an RV should be listed. To qualify for an RV re-title, a camper van must contain at least 4 out of the 6 “permanently installed and independent life support systems” for:
- Cooking
- Refrigeration or icebox
- Self-contained toilet
- Heating and/or Air conditioning
- Potable water supply system including a faucet and sink
- Separate 110-125 volt electrical power supply and/or LP gas supply
After the VIN inspection is completed and the vehicle has been reclassified it’s important to obtain the proper RV insurance. This will complete the process and properly convey the use of your camper van for the DMV and insurance companies.
State specific requirement resources
The example above is just for Colorado, all states have slightly different laws regarding requirements for registering a converted van as an RV.
The list below contains links to each state's licensing of motor vehicles websites. Within each site you can find the specific laws for each state’s regulations around the licensing and registration of self converted campers or van conversions. We absolutely recommend looking around your state's site and reading the laws.
Some of the sites listed don’t have the clearest answers or incomplete information so we recommend calling or even going in person to speak with someone directly. This is the best way to get clear answers to the exact requirements and process to re-registering your camper van into an RV.
List of departments by state
Alabama
Alabama Department of Revenue–Motor Vehicle Division
Alaska
Alaska Department of Administration–Division of Motor Vehicles
Arizona
Arizona Department of Transportation
Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
California
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Colorado
Colorado Department of Revenue–Division of Motor Vehicles
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Delaware
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
District of Columbia
DC Department of Motor Vehicles
Florida
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Georgia
Georgia Department of Revenue–Motor Vehicle Division
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Transportation–Public Affairs
Idaho
Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles
Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State–Vehicle Services Department
Indiana
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Iowa
Kansas
Kansas Department of Revenue–Division of Motor Vehicles
Kentucky
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet–Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing
Louisiana
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Maine
Maine Department of the Secretary of State–Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Maryland
Maryland Department of Transportation–Motor Vehicle Administration
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Department of Transportation–Registry of Motor Vehicles
Michigan
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Public Safety–Driver and Vehicle Services Division
Mississippi
Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission
Missouri
Missouri Department of Revenue–Motor Vehicle Titling & Registration
Montana
Montana Department of Justice–Driver Services
Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Nevada
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Department of Safety–Division of Motor Vehicles
New Jersey
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
New Mexico
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
New York
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Transportation–Division of Motor Vehicles
North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Transportation
Ohio
Ohio Department of Public Safety ‐ Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Tax Commission–Motor Vehicle Information
Oregon
Oregon Department of Transportation ‐ Division of Motor Vehicles
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation–Driver and Vehicle Services
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Revenue ‐ Division of Motor Vehicles
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulations–Motor Vehicles Division
Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Revenue–Vehicle Title & Registration
Texas
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Utah
Utah Division of Motor Vehicles
Vermont
Vermont Agency of Transportation–Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia
Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington
Washington Department of Licensing
West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Transportation–Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Transportation ‐ Division of Motor Vehicles
Wyoming